In an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner stated that he did not respect United’s head coach and that the club exhibited “a lack of empathy” for him when his infant daughter became unwell.
Manchester United has stated that it is focusing on “togetherness” and “thinking its response” in the wake of an interview in which Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he is being pressured to leave the club.
It is believed that, behind closed doors, the club is “very upset” with the manner and timing of Piers Morgan’s interview.
The club stated in an official statement, “Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and maintaining the momentum, confidence, and unity that have been established among the players, manager, staff, and supporters.”
It said that it would “consider its response once all the facts are known.”
The players learned of the interview as they prepared to depart London on Sunday evening following their 2-1 victory over Fulham.
Ronaldo’s teammates and head coach Erik ten Hag reportedly do not get why he made the comments and are quite disappointed that he would insult the club.
The Portugal player stated in a 90-minute interview that will air later this week on TalkTV that ten Hag and others want him out of Old Trafford.
Ronaldo responded, “Yes, not only the coach but another two or three others around the club as well.” I felt betrayed.”
The 37-year-old stated he lacked respect for his manager ten Hag, stating, “I lack regard for him because he lacks respect for me. “I will never respect you if you do not respect me.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also claimed there has been “zero growth” at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 and criticized their “lack of sympathy” when his infant daughter was hospitalized with an illness.
Ronaldo was informed on Thursday that he would not start against Fulham, although he would have been included in the squad.
He informed the club that he was ill and was unable to attend the game.
Since he rejoined the club in the summer of 2017, the forward has had a difficult time gaining playing time.
He was left on the bench despite Manchester City being down 4-0, and in a match against Tottenham, he refused to come in as a replacement and stormed out of the tunnel before the final whistle.
“Totally perplexed”
Wayne Rooney remarked on the walkout, and in the explosive interview with Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo attacked his old Manchester United teammate.
Morgan said in The Sun that Ronaldo responded, “I don’t know why he criticizes me so harshly… maybe because he’s retired and I’m still playing at a high level.”
“I will not claim to be more attractive than him. Which is correct…
When the news emerged on Sunday night, Match Of The Day 2 commentator Jermaine Jenas claimed he was “completely perplexed” as to why Ronaldo had done it, and he believed that ten Hag could no longer play him.
Former Liverpool and England footballer Jamie Carragher tweeted that he believed 99 percent of United fans will support Erik ten Hag.
