Manchester United face paying near £10m to veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo should he stay.
The Sun says United could have to fork out almost £10 million if they want to get Ronaldo off the books in January.
Ronaldo was axed for yesterday's trip to Chelsea, amid claims he refused to come off the bench in last week's win over Spurs and looks sure to have played his last game for the club.
Yet if United hope to get rid before his contract expires at the end of the season, they are staring at pay-off touching eight figures.
Ronaldo would earn around £9.6m in basic wages until June, regardless of any bonus payments for league placings or trophies.
But United do have some wriggle room – not least the option of tearing up his deal if he did indeed refuse to come on as substitute and was deemed to be in breach of contract.
There is also the bargaining chip of letting him join another club for a knockdown fee or even a free – something they stood firm on last summer.
