United legal move after bombshell Ronaldo interview
MANCHESTER United lawyers were last night looking at ways to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s £500,000-a-week contract – after he sparked fury with an explosive TV interview.
The Portuguese legend, 37, is unlikely to play for the club again after fierce criticism of its management and US owners.
Ronaldo has been an Old Trafford favourite for two decades, with two stints at the club, and initially his 2021 return worked wonders, ending last season as top scorer with 24 goals.
But he dropped a series of verbal “grenades” in a Piers Morgan interview on TalkTV this week.
Ronaldo blasted manager Erik ten Hag, saying he had “no respect” for him after being rarely picked in this Premier League campaign.
Now lawyers are looking at how to sever the relationship, with sources and fans saying he has played his last game in a United shirt. The club said yesterday: “Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent media interview.
“We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.”
Legal experts believe the unauthorised TV interview constitutes a breach of contract, which could allow United the option of parting company with him. Sports sources claim conversations between the club and Ronaldo’s representatives have already begun over the end of his time at Old Trafford.
The Glazer family owners, chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and Mr Ten Hag believe the star has burnt his bridges. Pundits claim the reason for the explosive interview was to enable Ronaldo to leave, after realising his dream of lifting another European or Premier League trophy would not happen at United this term.
Ronaldo’s team-mates also expect him to go, with the mood towards him described as “ambivalent”.
United could sack him or pay up his contract, which has seven months left.
Betrayed
But it is most likely both parties will agree to part ways and leave Ronaldo a free agent to move to another club in the January transfer window.
The dad of five will captain Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar – with their opening Group H game against Ghana on Thursday. He has not played for United due to an unspecified illness since captaining the side in a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on November 6. Ronaldo was dropped for the Premier League game at Chelsea last month after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham days earlier.
He acknowledged in the controversial interview that his United future was in question, saying: “It is hard for me to say I will not be back at Manchester United but let’s see what’s going to happen. The fans will be on my side, always in my heart.”
But he said of Dutch coach Mr Ten Hag: “I have no respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me. Some people, they don’t want me here – not only the coach but the other two or three guys.
“Not only this year, but last year too. I feel betrayed. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero.”