Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has savagely slammed his club Manchester United and the Red Devil’s boss Erik Ten Hag, after claiming he’s been unfairly treated since his return to Old Trafford in August 2021.
Ronaldo had been actively pushing for a transfer away from Manchester during the summer, after the Red Devils failed to qualify for this season’s UEFA Champions League. It was also reported that CR7 was unhappy with the state of the squad, deeming it not strong enough to compete on all fronts.
The Portuguese superstar was told that he is free to leave the Club in January, should a suitable offer arrive. However, given the antics Ronaldo has exhibited during his return to Man United, it is difficult to see which top European club would be interested in the 37-year-old.
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Ronaldo has now laid into the Red Devils, amid the scrutiny he’s faced from the media throughout his failed attempt at securing a move away from Old Trafford.
In an interview done with Piers Morgan for TalkTV on Sunday evening, Ronaldo opened up about how he felt ‘betrayed’ by the Club’s hierarchy and that he sensed they were trying to push him out of Manchester.
When asked if United’s hierarchy were trying to force him out, Ronaldo said: “Yes, not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed.
“People should listen to the truth.
“Yes, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don’t want me here, not only this year but last year too.”
The former Real Madrid player then spoke about his relationship, or lack of, with new United manager Erik Ten Hag.
“I don’t have respect for him [Erik Ten Hag] because he doesn’t show respect for me,” said Ronaldo. “If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”
During the 2021/2022 Premier League campaign, Ronaldo shone despite his side experiencing a dramatic downturn in form under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The five-time UCL winner notched up 18 league goals, and was often seen as the only bright light in the squad, along with David De Gea, bailing his side out on numerous occasions.
However, Ronaldo has also spoken out on his time under Ralf Rangnick, who was appointed as interim boss of United following Ole’s sacking.
“If you’re not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I’d never even heard of him [Rangnick],” said Ronaldo in a harsh assessment of his ex-manager’s credentials.
Ronaldo’s public expression of the situation, particularly from his perspective, is bound to leave a sour taste in the mouths of both Man United and their fans.
CR7 was left out of United’s squad following his refusal to come on as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Spurs last month. It’s likely Ten Hag will implement a similar punishment on Ronaldo, this time with more long-term consequences.
It would be unsurprising if Ronaldo’s interview sealed his fate, and that he wouldn’t play for Man United again.
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