Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels “betrayed” by the club, does not respect manager Erik ten Hag and is being forced out.
Ronaldo, 37, promised in August he would give his version of life at Old Trafford after failing to secure a move to a club playing in the Champions League, as he had hoped.
He has now spoken out in an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV.
A Manchester United statement said the club had “noted the media coverage”.
In extracts from the wide-ranging interview –
Ronaldo said:
- People at the club were trying to force him out.
- There had been “no evolution” at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, and the Scot agreed United were “not on the path they deserve to be”.
- The club showed a lack of “empathy” when his young daughter was hospitalised in July.
- He had “never heard” of previous manager Ralf Rangnick.
- He did not know why former team-mate Wayne Rooney criticised him, adding: “Probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing.”
The interview will be shown over two nights on Wednesday and Thursday.
Asked by Morgan 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.”
Pushed as to whether senior club executives were trying to oust him, he added: “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 Red Devils, who beat Fulham 2-1 on Sunday, are fifth in the Premier League in Ten Hag’s first season as manager.
“The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established,” United said in a statement on Monday.
“Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff and fans.
Ronaldo says he has no ‘respect’ for Ten Hag
Ronaldo has not played because of an unspecified illness since he captained United in their 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on 6 November.
He was dropped for the Premier League game at Chelsea last month by Ten Hag after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham three days earlier.
“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” Ronaldo said. “If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”
Ronaldo also spoke about the loss of his baby son in April and how touched he was by a tribute paid to him by Liverpool fans at a game against United at Anfield in the days afterwards.
The whole interview is 90 minutes long but Morgan has written a version for the Sun in which it is clear the contempt Ronaldo has for how he has found United since he returned to the club amid huge fanfare in August 2021.
“I think the fans should know the truth,” he said. “I want the best for the club. This is why I come to Manchester United.”
Ronaldo said he had seen “no evolution” at the club since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
“Nothing had changed,” he said. “I love Manchester United. I love the fans, they’re always on my side. But if they want to do it different… they have to change many, many things.”
Ronaldo said his view of the club was shared by Ferguson, who was pivotal in his return to Old Trafford from Juventus when it appeared he might join Manchester City.
“He knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be,” added Ronaldo.
“He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don’t see that… it’s because they don’t want to see; they are blind.”