Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels “betrayed” by the club, disrespected by manager Erik ten Haag and forced out. Ronaldo, 37, vowed in August to give the version of his life at Old Trafford after failing to secure a move to a Champions League side as he had hoped. He has now spoken in an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV. United have been asked to respond to the Portuguese international’s claims. In extracts from the wide-ranging interview – published in the Sun, external link Ronaldo said:
The people in the club were trying to force him out. There has been “no development” at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013 and the Scot agreed United were “not on the path they deserve”. The club showed a lack of “empathy” when his young daughter was hospitalized in July. He had “never heard” of previous coach Ralph Rangnick. He didn’t know why former team-mate Wayne Rooney criticized him, adding: “Probably because he’s finished his career and I’m still playing.”
The interview will be shown over two evenings on Wednesday and Thursday. Asked by Morgan if the United hierarchy were trying to force him to leave, Ronaldo said: “Yes, not just the manager, but two or three other guys from the club. I felt betrayed.” Pressed on whether higher-ups at the club were trying to oust him, he added: “People need to hear the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed and I felt that some people didn’t want me here, not only this year but last year as well. .” The Red Devils, who beat Fulham 2-1 on Sunday, are fifth in the Premier League in ten Haag’s first season as manager. Ronaldo has been selected by Portugal in their 2022 World Cup squad
Ronaldo says he has ‘no respect’ for Ten Haag
Ronaldo has not played due to an unspecified illness since captaining United in the 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on November 6. He was dropped for last month’s Premier League game at Chelsea by Ten Hag after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur three days earlier. “I don’t respect him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” Ronaldo said. “If you have no respect for me, I will never respect you.” Ronaldo also spoke about the loss of his son in April and how touched he was by the tribute Liverpool fans paid him at a game against United at Anfield in the following days. The full interview runs 90 minutes, but Morgan penned a version for the Sun in which Ronaldo’s disdain for how he has found United since returning to the club amid huge fanfare in August 2021 is clear. “I think the fans need to know the truth,” he said. “I want the best for the club. That’s why I’m coming to Manchester United.” Ronaldo said he had seen “no development” 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 are always on my side. But if they want to do it differently… they have to change many, many things.” Ronaldo said his view of the club was shared by Ferguson, who was instrumental in his return to Old Trafford from Juventus when it appeared he could join Manchester City. “He knows better than anyone that the club is not on the path it deserves,” added Ronaldo. “He knows. Everyone knows. People who don’t see this… it’s because they don’t want to see, they’re blind.”
Ronaldo had not “heard” of Rangnik
Ronaldo’s former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was United manager when the Portuguese returned to the club before being succeeded by Ralf Rangnick and then Ten Haag. Rangnik left his role as head of sport and development at Lokomotiv Moscow to take the job. He had previously built his reputation during his time in Germany, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel speaking highly of their compatriot. On Rangnik, Ronaldo said: “If you’re not even a manager, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I’ve never heard of him.” Ronaldo also hit back at former United teammate Wayne Rooney’s criticism of his behavior this season. “I don’t know why he criticizes me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level,” Ronaldo said. “I’m not going to say I’m better looking than him. That’s true…”
