Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has said he feels “betrayed” by Manchester United and claims he is being forced out of the club.
In a 90-minute interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored, which will be broadcast next week on TalkTV, the Portugal star claimed head coach Erik ten Hag and others want him out of Old Trafford.
When asked if United’s hierarchy were trying to force him out of the club, Ronaldo said: “Yes, not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed.”
The 37-year-old said in the interview: “I don’t care. 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.”
Ronaldo revealed he did not respect boss ten Hag, saying: “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also claimed there has been “zero progress” at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and criticised their “lack of sympathy” for him when his baby daughter fell ill and was hospitalised in July.
United have been contacted for comment on the allegations.
Ronaldo has had a turbulent time since rejoining Manchester United in the summer of 2021. He has struggled to get playing time recently, was left on the substitute’s bench despite being 4-0 down against Manchester City, and against Tottenham, he refused to come onto the pitch as a substitute and stormed down the tunnel before full-time.
Wayne Rooney commented on the walkout and in the incendiary interview with Morgan, Ronaldo hit out his former United teammate.
‘Cannot be in the team now’
Writing in The Sun newspaper, Morgan revealed Ronaldo said: “I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career, and I’m still playing at a high level.
“I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true…”
When news broke on Sunday night, about the interview, player turned Match Of The Day 2 pundit Jermaine Jenas said he was “totally baffled” as to why he had done it, and he believed it had made it now impossible for ten Hag to play him any more.
“He can’t be in the team now,” said Jenas.
Former Liverpool and England player Jamie Carragher said in a tweet he thought “99% of United fans will be on the side of ETH (Erik ten Hag)”.
