Cristiano Ronaldo, in an exclusive interview with British television personality Piers Morgan, talked about his time at Manchester United, claiming that the club has betrayed him.
Ronaldo has had it rough in the 2022/23 season since the arrival of Erik ten Hag, whose tactics have seen the Portugal international be dropped down the pecking order.
Ronaldo was close to leaving the club in the summer after a season which was underwhelming despite his being their best performer in front of goal. However, he ended up staying, only to be relegated to the bench.
Ronaldo recently had an issue with the club and the manager, which saw him walk out of their match against Tottenham Hotspur. The issue was eventually sorted, and he was given the captain’s armband as a sign of respect in one of the matches following the incident and eventual one match suspension.
The expose has been a long time coming but it still comes as a shock to many, who thought that his relationship with the club and the manager was on the mend.
He accused the club of many things including a lack of empathy towards his mental state when he lost his child and had another one in the hospital, disrespect to his person, and sabotage of the team, stating that he met outdated technology which he left when he was in his early 20s.
Ronaldo also accused club officials of trying to force him out of the club while also saying he has no respect for United’s manager Erik ten Hag.
“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” said Ronaldo. “Some people, they don’t want me here – not only the coach but the other two or three guys. Not only this year, but last year too.
“Honestly, I shouldn’t say that. But listen, I don’t care. People should listen to the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed.”
Ronaldo missed United’s last game before the World Cup due to illness on Sunday. The Red Devils won their match thanks to a late goal from youngster Alejandro Garnacho, but the former Juventus forward’s interview has taken the gloss away from the hard-fought win.
The club and his team-mates were said to have found out about the interview on their way back from London where they travelled to face Fulham. They were said to be deeply disappointed by his comments.
The interview makes it difficult to see a path back into the squad, which happens to be in line with recent reports that claimed he was looking for a way out in January.
