Cristiano Ronaldo could be pushed before he jumps after a report revealed Ralf Rangnick’s patience with the Man Utd striker is ‘wearing thin’.

A report from the Manchester Evening News has cast further doubt as to whether Ronaldo’s contract will be seen out in full. His deal expires in 2023, though the club hold an option for a further 12 months.

The outlet claim interim boss Rangnick has ‘major reservations’ Ronaldo is the right man to spearhead United’s frontline next season. Ronaldo has now notched just one goal in his last 10 matches after his latest blank versus Watford at the weekend.

While Rangnick may not be the club’s manager beyond the summer, he will be working behind the scenes in a consultancy role.

One might expect Ronaldo to have been benched amid his worrying slump. Indeed, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel recently dropped the off-form Romelu Lukaku for successive high profile matches in the Champions League and EFL Cup final.

However, Rangnick has thus far avoided that route due to a lack of belief in the alternative options.

Rangnick’s influence over United matters will extend beyond just his managerial spell this season. As such, and unless Ronaldo rediscovers his form, the 37-year-old could quickly become the elephant in the room.