Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale rested for Real Madrid's Copa del Rey game

Published on: 18 January 2018

Zinedine Zidane says Cristiano Ronaldo is where he belongs at Real Madrid amid rumours of an exit. Mark Ogden and Rob Dawson explain why Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to swap Real Madrid for Manchester United. The ESPN FC panel share their thoughts on the reports from Spain stating that Cristiano Ronaldo wants out of Madrid. The FC crew cast doubt on Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United, despite his recent dip in form and reports of tension at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo has been rested by coach Zinedine Zidane for Thursday evening's Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg at Leganes, with Gareth Bale and Marcelo the other first-teamers excused from the short trip.

Ronaldo's future at the Bernabeu remains unclear with the player himself pushing for a move elsewhere as club president Florentino Perez has not yet accepted his demand of a new contract that would reportedly increase his wages to around €50 million a year.

Zidane has made clear that he hopes Ronaldo stays where he is, while sources close to the player have confirmed to ESPN FC that he wants to move in the summer.

Last season the Portugal captain sat out the early Copa rounds, but was back in the team by this stage of the competition -- when Madrid were knocked out on away goals by Celta Vigo.

The squad announcement confirmed that Bale and Marcelo were also not included, while Karim Benzema (hamstring) and Sergio Ramos (calf) remain sidelined through injury.

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