Ronaldo’s Explosive Interview: Man United Await ‘Full Facts’

• Portuguese criticises Erik ten Hag for lack of ‘respect’
• Singles out Ralf Rangnick, Wayne Rooney for invectives 

Manchester United have responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s accusation that he is being forced out of the club by highlighting the ‘togetherness’ being built under Erik ten Hag, their manager.

In their statement reacting to the headline-grabbing interview with Piers Morgan, the Old Trafford Landlords said they will consider a response when all the facts are checked but that their focus remains the second half of this football season.

However, the Red Devils are keeping their cards close to their chest for now, but reports have suggested that they are extremely unhappy with the situation.

United’s response to Ronaldo’s Sunday night revelations was to release a three-sentence statement published on the club’s official website on Monday saying; “Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established.

“Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief, and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans.”

The statement comes less than 24 hours after clips of Ronaldo’s interview with Morgan emerged on social media, with the veteran forward expressing his displeasure at the current state of Manchester United.

He also took a swipe at manager Erik ten Hag as well as former boss Ralf Rangnick among a litany of complaints about the club he returned to in the summer of 2021.

In a Talk TV interview to be broadcast later this week, previewed in a newspaper article by his interviewer, Piers Morgan, the Portuguese said of the United Manager: “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.”

Highly critical of some personnel at Manchester United in the interview, the Five Times Ballon d’Or winner had also said; ‘I felt betrayed’ even as he aimed a broadside at the Dutch handler for giving him a cold shoulder

United signed off for their World Cup break by beating Fulham 2-1 via a last-minute goal from Alejandro Garnacho, a match Ronaldo missed, as he had the midweek Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa, his absence due to “sickness”. He is set to lead Portugal in Qatar in what is likely to be his final World Cup.

Having failed to get a move away in the summer, finding no takers in the Champions League echelon he still considers his natural habitat, Ronaldo stayed on but has been unable to prove his worth.

Coach Ten Hag believes in a high-pressing style that does not favour the 37-year-old Ronaldo who made a belated arrival to United’s pre-season. In the interview, he told Morgan that staying back then in Portugal was because of attending to his three-month-old daughter, who was hospitalised in July.

He pointedly accused the club’s hierarchy of a lack of empathy, having lost his daughter’s twin brother, who died in childbirth.

Ten Hag’s wards are in fifth place on the Premiership table, having recovered from their poor start while Ronaldo has contributed just one Premier League goal. He was the top-scorer last season with 24 goals, but his interview with Morgan included criticism of Ralf Rangnick, interim manager last season after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

“If you’re not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United?” he said of the German. “I’d never even heard of him”, according to Ronaldo who further suggested that certain, unnamed senior figures at the club wanted him out last season.

The star forward also highlighted a lack of development since he first departed United in 2009 and Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013: “He knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be” the player said of Ferguson.

The two-part interview sees Ronaldo hitting back at former teammate Wayne Rooney for perceived criticism, including the club’s record goalscorer among his betrayers. “Probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level,” said Ronaldo, whose last game for United now seems likely to be 6 November’s 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

It’s likely Ronaldo will never play for the club again and his comments have seemingly done permanent damage to his relationship with Ten Hag. A return to Sporting Lisbon in January could be his way out but it’s unlikely they’ll be able to afford his astronomical wages.