Arsenal and Spurs are blowing Manchester United out of the water

Ronaldo, 37, has made it clear he sees his future away from Old Trafford as he looks to continue playing in the Champions League.

The Portuguese talisman has missed pre-season training for the second successive day due to 'family reasons'.

United are uncertain if Ronaldo will return to the club in time to join their pre-season tour, talkSPORT understands.

Erik ten Hag's side fly to Bangkok on Friday for a lucrative 16-day trip which also includes games in Australia.

Ronaldo has asked United to consider offers for him this summer but the club insist their most famous player is not for sale.

talkSPORT regular Goldbridge did not begrudge the Portugal superstar for wanting to leave, but is worried the Red Devils will fall short of their rivals due to the lack of transfer activity.

"I still think if we had the good summer I wanted us to have, we would still be saying fourth and winning the Europa League is what is achievable in year one," Goldbridge told talkSPORT.

"Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have got top four nailed on for me.

"So it is Spurs, Arsenal, Manchester United and any other teams that has a good season going for fourth.

"That is the limit, and that is not Erik ten Hag's fault. With this transfer window, and what Spurs and Arsenal are doing, it could be fifth or sixth, and that is never good enough.

"This is what Cristiano Ronaldo is doing. It is not good enough for Manchester United. The ambition needs to be from the top and it is not there.

"Fans can dress it up as they like, but Ronaldo is leaving because there is a lack of ambition at Manchester United, and I agree with that."

Both Tottenham and Arsenal have been heavily active in the transfer window so far.

The Gunners have signed Gabriel Jesus for £45million from Manchester City, and also drafted in Fabio Vieira from Porto, youngster Marquinhos from Sao Paulo, and goalkeeper Matt Turner from New England Revolution, respectively.

Spurs, on the other hand, have been just as busy, splashing £60million on Richarlison from Everton, whilst bringing in Yves Bissouma from Brighton, Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan, and Fraser Forster from Southampton.

United are yet to reach lift off in the transfer window and have struggled to get deals over the line, with a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong dragging on.

Christian Eriksen is expected to join Ten Hag's side, though, and the signing of 22-year-old left-back Tyrell Malacia has been confirmed.

If United are to compete with the likes of Arsenal and Spurs next season, they will need to bring in several more signings before the end of September for Ten Hag to stamp his authority on his side, or could end up facing another lacklustre campaign.