Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to leave Manchester United this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The veteran forward has endured a difficult start to 2022, and could be set to move on from Old Trafford for the second time in the coming months.

What's going on with Ronaldo at Man United?

The 37-year-old was expected to lead the side's attack in the Manchester derby last Sunday, but he ended up not making the squad at all.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick insisted that Ronaldo had been ruled out with a hip flexor problem, although Roy Keane questioned whether there was more to the Portugal forward's absence.

Ronaldo's future at United has now been plunged into serious doubt, and it has been suggested that he would be keen on a move to PSG at the end of the season if his current side miss out on the Champions League.

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What has Jones said about Ronaldo?

Jones has admitted that he can understand why United re-signed Ronaldo, given how well he did at the club in his first spell between 2003 and 2009.

However, he feels that Ronaldo is edging closer to the exit door, and he has hinted this could turn out to be the right move for the player and the Red Devils.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “With every week that passes, it’s looking more likely that Ronaldo now goes. I think it was worth a try for both, but I think you could now make an argument on both sides of it that it would be better for both parties if Ronaldo moves on to something else.”

Should Ronaldo and United part ways this summer?

It would be wrong to say that Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford has been a complete disaster. After all, he is still comfortably the team's top scorer this term. He also gave a reminder of his qualities when he netted a hat-trick against Tottenham on Saturday.

He turned 37 in February, though, and has become less reliable in the last two months. United needed him for one of their biggest matches of the season against City, and he was not available to play.

When you also factor in that Edinson Cavani is 35, and has had his own fitness issues during the current campaign, it may be time for United to stop putting their faith in two strikers in the twilight of their careers.

The club's hierarchy need to figure out how to close the gap to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, and expecting Ronaldo to produce golden moments throughout a whole season may no longer be realistic.

Therefore, allowing him to move on at the end of the season and bringing in a new attacker who can grow within the team over the coming years could be the way to go.