Harry Maguire backtracks after 'liking' Instagram post about Ronaldo being upset

Harry Maguire's Instagram account was one of 25,000 to 'like' a post highlighting Cristiano Ronaldo's upset at the squad's recent pay cut - eagle-eyed Manchester United fans noticed.

The post mentioned how Ronaldo has been forced to reduce his salary due to the fact the Red Devils missed out on Champions League qualification last term. United's iconic number seven was pocketing a rumoured £480,000-per-week last season, but that number will now drop to £360,000 while the Red Devils operate in the Europa League - much to the player's frustration.

Maguire's account being seen among the 'likes' section of the post is not going to quell reports of an unhappy dressing room in the red half of Manchester. The campaign just gone was littered with leaked reports of infighting and internal unrest among the United playing squad - including clashes between Maguire and Ronaldo.

Maguire's account has since 'unliked' the post, and it's not clear whether the 'like' was a mistake in the first place.

It has been claimed that the pair struggled to see eye-to-eye at times, while Maguire's status as club captain was thought to have been undermined by the fact other players viewed Ronaldo as more of a leader. Erik ten Hag has been coy over whether he will strip The Englishman of the armband ahead of next season.

Ronaldo would have been the ideal candidate to succeed Maguire as skipper in the eyes of many, before the news of his recent transfer request. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has informed the United hierarchy of his desire to leave if a club boasting Champions League football comes in for him.

It seems unlikely that Ronaldo will be able to enjoy the kind of wages he was on last season at any other club on the continent. Whether that sways his decision to walk away from Old Trafford or not remains to be seen.

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Ronaldo's army of representatives have not taken the news of his pay cut lying down and agent Jorge Mendes is thought to be working tirelessly to sound out potential suitors to fulfil his client's wish to leave.

Mendes recently met with new Chelsea owner and American businessman Todd Boehly, during which time Ronaldo's club future was brought up. The Blues are now favourites to pry the 37-year-old away from Old Trafford and complete a shock Stamford Bridge switch.

Bayern Munich are an outside runner for the Portugal captain's signature - though they are almost certainly not going to pay Ronaldo the kind of wages United first agreed to.

Ronaldo's frustration stems from United's apparent lack of transfer activity so far this summer - but with Tyrell Malacia unveiled on Tuesday and Christian Eriksen expected in the coming days, Erik ten Hag's United revolution is starting to take shape - though it looking increasingly likely as if it will be without Ronaldo spearheading it.