Atletico Madrid are out of the race to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of being granted his exit from Manchester United dwindled on Tuesday night when Atletico Madrid ruled themselves out of a move for the Portugal forward.

The 37-year-old returned to United on Tuesday after missing the club’s 17-day tour of Thailand and Australia on compassionate leave. He held showdown talks with new manager Erik ten Hag, their first meeting since Ronaldo told the club he wants out.

The player’s agent Jorge Mendes is trying to engineer a move, but with Bayern Munich and Chelsea having already said no, Ronaldo’s options decreased again when Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said his club could not afford the striker.

Talking to Spanish radio, Cerezo said: ‘I don’t know who invented this story about Cristiano Ronaldo to Atletico Madrid. It’s not true. It’s practically impossible for him to come to Atletico Madrid.’

United maintain that their star forward is not for sale.

Ronaldo has a year left on his £360,000-a-week contract and has vowed to remain professional as talks over his future continue.