Following the controversial interview clips of Cristiano Ronaldo with Piers Morgan on Monday, the Manchester United forward has singled out individuals that have allegedly made his return to the club unbearable.
Ronaldo has heavily criticised the dire state the club finds itself in between the time he left to join Real Madrid for a then record transfer fee worth 94-million Euros in 2009, and when he returned in August 2021.
The 37-year-old Portuguese expressed the amount of disrespect he has endured since his comeback at the Theatre of Dreams, declaring that some people in the hierarchy of the club have “betrayed” him.
“Honestly, I shouldn’t have said that I don’t know, but I don’t care – people should listen the truth, I feel betrayed, and I felt that some people don’t want me, not only this year, but last year too,” he said.
Ronaldo also had something to say about his current manager Erik Ten Hag, saying that he has no respect whatsoever for him.
“I don’t have respect for Erik Ten Hag because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I will never have any for you,” Ronaldo said.
The two have not really had a fulfilling relationship, as the former Ajax manager had Ronaldo having to fight for his place in the starting line-up during the start of the season.
Ten Hag went on to leave out the veteran striker when they were outplayed by their noisy neighbours Manchester City, claiming that he did not bring on the talisman in their 6-3 defeat at the Etihad “out of respect for his career”.
It got heated when the veteran stormed out of Old Trafford during their 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspurs for not wanting to come on for the last two minutes. In a post-match interview, Ten Hag said he would “deal with that tomorrow not today.”
Indeed, the Dutch tactician dealt with the matter and suspended CR7 from all first team action for just a weekend.
The Glazer family also had their fair share of reproval, saying that the club owners don’t care: “The owners of the club, the Glazers – they don’t care about the club. Professionally and sportingly – they don’t really care in my opinion. I never even spoke to them, never!” he added.
Manchester United have since released a club statement, emphasising that the club only has its focus on the second half of the season.
ℹ️ Club statement.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 14, 2022
His return to the club saw the Portuguese bagging 24 goals in all competitions, despite being part of a weak Manchester United side that finished sixth on the log, which resulted to ‘Mr Champions’ League having to downgrade to the Europa League.
The red devils will resume the Premier League when they take on Nottingham Forest on 27 December.
Question is, will the five-time Ballon d’or winner still be at Old Trafford after the World Cup?
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