Erik ten Hag admits he still hasn't spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo since the Manchester United star asked to leave the club, and doesn't know when the player will return to training less than three weeks before the new season starts.
Ronaldo has missed United's tour of Thailand and Australia, officially due to a family matter, after the club blocked his attempts to quit Old Trafford this summer.
Ten Hag backed the 37-year-old to be fit for the new campaign even though there has been no contact or indication when Ronaldo will report back for training.