Man United have been put up for sale by owners the Glazer family within hours of the announcement regarding the mutual contract termination of Cristiano Ronaldo. Many United fans were left with a sour taste in their mouths following the interview CR7 did with Piers Morgan last week, and were happy to see the back of him. However, the news about a potential change in ownership should turn the United faithful back onto Ronaldo’s side, as it is possible that he could have just saved the Red Devil’s future.
Ronaldo sat down with TalkTV last week in a groundbreaking interview with English presenter Piers Morgan. The former Real Madrid star went on to explain his current situation at the Club, including his relationship, or lack of, with manager Erik Ten Hag, as well as a scathing assessment of former manager Ralf Rangnick.
However, Ronaldo also slated United’s owners the Glazer family for the lack of improvements he’s seen at the Club, stating that nothing had changed since the day he first signed for the Red Devils in 2003. These comments were met with much fanfare, due to the long battle United fans have had against the Glazer’s ownership.
The Club announced on Tuesday evening via a statement on their website, that both parties had mutually agreed to terminate Ronaldo’s contract, effective immediately.
Ronaldo also put out a statement of his own, but then announced a new collaboration deal with a watch company soon after, seemingly taking shots at Man United by publicizing the deal via a post which contains a watch design of Ronaldo scoring AGAINST Man United.
Not long after, the Club released another statement, this time indicating that the owners are willing to listen to offers for the footballing institution.
“Manchester United plc (NYSE:MANU), one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club,” read the press release.
“The process is designed to enhance the club’s future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalize on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.
“As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company. This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders.”
The news will undoubtedly be met with massive joy by all United fans who have been trying to force the Glazers out of the Club for more than a decade.
But it should be Cristiano Ronaldo that they thank for forcing the Glazer’s hand by publicly criticizing their ownership model, and talking ill of the care they genuinely show for the Club.
In his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said: “As Picasso said, you have to destroy it to rebuild it and if they start with me, it’s not a problem.”
Ronaldo is bound to have known exactly what those words meant, implying he doesn’t mind being made the villain of the story, as long as the truth comes out, and as long as United are in a healthier position in the long-term, such is his love for Club. CR7 could have potentially sacrificed his legacy at Man United by speaking out on what happens behind the scenes. But instead, his words got the ball rolling in a process that most United fans didn’t think they’d experience so soon. Ronaldo could just have saved Man United’s future.