Cristiano Ronaldo emptied his bag in a long interview, indicating in particular that coach Erik ten Hag and other senior managers of his club were trying to force him to leave.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or, 37, talks about his journey through a complicated season. Dutch coach Erik ten Hag, who arrived at the head of the Red Devils last May, offering him little playing time.
The Portuguese was not even in the squad for Sunday’s Premier League match, won 2-1 at Fulham.
«I have no respect for him because he shows no respect for me“, he dropped in the issuance of the famous presenter of the british television.
«Not just the coach, but a couple of other guys around the club. I feel betrayed.»
To the host asking him if Manchester United management is trying to part ways with him, the Portuguese, who is about to leave for the World Cup in Qatar, replied: “Yeah, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people didn’t want me here, not just this season but last season as well.»
The Portuguese international, after reigning over Real Madrid and passing through Juventus Turin, returned to Manchester United in August 2021. Without ever returning to the glorious years of his first stint, under the tutelage of Alex Ferguson.
The Red Devils had then won three titles of champion of England and a Champions League, Ronaldo had obtained the first of his five Ballons d’Or.
Last season, Manchester United fell to 6th place in the Premier League, failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Media then reported that Ronaldo had tried in vain to find another club, which would have been in the running for him for the most prestigious of European competitions.
«Since Sir Alex left, I haven’t seen any development at the club. Nothing has changed“Said Ronaldo again.
«I want the best for this club, that’s why I came to Manchester United. But there are internal elements that do not help us to reach the top level of (Manchester) City, Liverpool and even Arsenal (…) A club of this size should however be at the very top of the hierarchy and unfortunately it is not.»
Manchester United currently sit 5th in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal.