Cristiano Ronaldo believes that Manchester United has “betrayed” him and that manager Erik ten Hag wanted to oust him from the team this summer.
Following Manchester United’s final game for six weeks, Ronaldo said in an interview with Piers Morgan that he has “no respect” for Ten Hag. He also criticized the club’s decline since Sir Alex Ferguson left. The interview was published on Sunday night.
Ronaldo: I don’t respect Ten Hag
After a shaky start to the year, Ronaldo was benched by Ten Hag. Still, after refusing to enter the game as a substitute against Tottenham last month, he stormed down the tunnel.
Ronaldo had left a game early before this season, and Ten Hag retaliated by removing him from the starting lineup for one game. Despite missing their final two games before the World Cup due to sickness, the Portuguese star has since joined the team.
But when Morgan questioned Ronaldo about his relationship with Ten Hag, who was hired this summer from Ajax, he responded firmly.
He declared, “I don’t respect him because he doesn’t respect me. “I’ll never have respect for you if you don’t have respect for me.”
Cristiano Ronaldo on Erik ten Hag: “I don't have respect for Erik ten Hag because he doesn't show respect for me”, tells @PiersMorgan. ? #MUFC
“If you don't have respect for me, I will never have any for you”. pic.twitter.com/n3kRkvILbP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 13, 2022
Ronaldo on if the club is trying to force him out
Ronaldo responded, “Yes, not only the coach but the other two or three guys – they’re around the club,” when Morgan asked if United and Ten Hag had tried to get him to leave this summer.
“[Are they attempting to remove me?] People should be aware of the truth. Thus, I shouldn’t say that I don’t know.”
Further questioned, Ronaldo responded, “Yes, I feel betrayed. And I got the impression that certain folks didn’t want me here. Not just this year but also the year before.”
"I feel betrayed."
EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels like he's being forced out of Manchester United in an explosive interview.
90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/nqp4mcXHB0
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022
Ronaldo on the state of the club
Eleven years after leaving Manchester United to join Real Madrid as the most expensive player in the world, Ronaldo made his way back to the club last summer. Still, the club had its worst Premier League season ever and missed out on the Champions League.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but since Sir Alex Ferguson left, I saw no evolution in the club; there was zero progress,” Ronaldo said to Morgan.
“Nothing was altered. Surprisingly. In addition to the gym, the jacuzzi, and the pool… Even some of the technology, the chefs—who are, in my opinion, great people—and the kitchen.”
“They stopped after a while, which shocked me. I anticipated seeing various things—different, as I have already indicated, in terms of technology and infrastructure.”
“But regrettably, we witnessed many of the same things I did when I was 20, 21, and 23. The result greatly astonished me.”
"Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero."
Don't miss Piers Morgan's 90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/VextyEu7f9
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022
Ronaldo slams United for appointing Rangnick last season
Midway through the last season, United fired manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and brought interim coach Ralf Ragnick to take his place. Ronaldo was critical of the club’s management in a later interview segment.
Ronaldo said, “For instance, we have an intriguing example of how Manchester United, after firing Ole, bought and hired Sports Director Ralf Rangnick. It is recruitment no one can explain.”
“He’s not even a coach, this man. It astonished me and the entire world that a larger club like Manchester United would bring in a sports director, you know.”
Cristiano Ronaldo on Ralf Rangnick: “If you’re not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Man Utd? I’d never even heard of him”, tells @PiersUncensored. ?? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/qip4KLgsvX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 13, 2022
Ronaldo responds to Rooney’s criticism
Although Ronaldo and Rooney shared three Premier League championships and the Champions League in 2008, there is still no love lost between the two.
“I don’t know why he criticizes me so harshly.” According to the Express, Ronaldo said to Morgan when asked about Rooney’s criticism.
“Probably because I’m still playing at a good level, and he finished his career. I’m not going to say that I look better than him, which is accurate.”
Ronaldo on fans’ support
“They are always on my side,” Ronaldo remarked.
“Every time I stroll around the streets, I get the impression that the fans approach me and tell me how much they value what I do for football.”
“For me, the fans are everything. I am conducting this interview because now is the appropriate time to express my viewpoint.”
