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Manchester United said they are trying to establish the full facts behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo said, in the interview, that Manchester United had betrayed him and that he would be forced to leave, while he had no respect for coach Eric Ten Hag.
Read also | I don’t respect Eric ten Hag; I feel betrayed by Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo
So far only excerpts have been released and United say they will wait before deciding on their next move.
The Premier League club said: “Manchester United has taken note of the media coverage regarding an interview given by Cristiano Ronaldo.”
“The club will consider its response after confirming the full facts.
“Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and teamwork that is being built between the players, manager, staff and fans.”
Ronaldo returned to United from Juventus for a second stint at Old Trafford in August 2021 on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won eight major trophies from 2003-2009.
In an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, released on Sunday, Ronaldo was asked if the hierarchy at United was trying to kick him out of the club.
“Yes, not just the coach (Ten Hag), but two or three other players around the club. I felt betrayed.”
“Yeah I feel betrayed, and I felt like some people didn’t want me here, not just this year, but last year as well.”
Read also | Fans slam Cristiano Ronaldo for criticizing Manchester United and the manager in an interview
Ten Hag said last month that Ronaldo had refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur when the striker walked into the tunnel a few minutes before the game after being left on the bench.
Then he was not part of the squad that faced Chelsea the following Saturday.
The 37-year-old striker, who will be the captain of the Portugal national team in Globalism The Cup in Qatar said of Ten Hag: “I do not respect him because he shows me no respect. If you do not respect me, I will never respect you.”
United did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters for comment. After the Tottenham game, Ten Hag said that Ronaldo remained an “important player in the team”.
Ronaldo said Manchester United did not support him when his daughter was taken to hospital in July. He said the club questioned him and showed a lack of empathy when he did not arrive on time for pre-season training.
“I think the masses should know the truth,” he said.
“I want the best for the club. That’s why I came to Manchester United.
“But you have some things inside that don’t help us get to the top level like City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal… A club should be that far at the top of the tree in my opinion and they are not, unfortunately.”
Read also | Cristiano Ronaldo slams Manchester United for hiring Ralf Rangnick last season
Ronaldo’s first spell was under former United boss Alex Ferguson, who retired in 2013. The Portuguese said his view of the club was shared by Ferguson.
“Progress has been zero since Sir Alex (Ferguson) left, I haven’t seen any development in the club. Nothing has changed,” Ronaldo said.
“He knows better than anyone that the club is not on the path it deserves to be.
“He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don’t see it… because they don’t want to see, they’re blind.”
Ronaldo also criticized the club’s decision last season to replace coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his former teammate in the Portuguese team, Ralph Rangnick.
Rangnick left his role as Head of Sport and Development at Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow to take charge of Old Trafford.
“After the club sacked Ole, they brought in sporting director Ralf Rangnick, which no one understands,” said Ronaldo.
“This guy, he’s not even a coach. A big club like Manchester United brings in a sporting director who surprised not only me but the whole world.”
(With input from agencies)>
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