CRISTIANO RONALDO: BETRAYED OR BETRAYER?

BY DAVID ANDERSON CRISTIANO RONALDO claims he feels “betrayed” by Manchester United but who has let who down the most during his turbulent 15 months back at Old Trafford?

BETRAYED?

Ronaldo feels let down by United after he claims he was persuaded by his old mentor Sir Alex Ferguson to turn down Manchester City to rejoin them in August 2021 (below). He claims since Sir Alex retired in 2013 “the progress was zero” at United.

He was unhappy when United sacked his old team-mate

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as boss in November 2021 and brought in Ralf

Rangnick as their interim boss. “I’d never even heard of him,” said Ronaldo.

He felt underwhelmed by Erik ten Hag’s appointment as

United manager and said: “I don’t respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.”

Ronaldo has accused the club of failing to give him enough support when his baby daughter, whose twin brother died in childbirth in April, had to go into hospital in July. He could not leave his family to return for pre-season training and says the club’s behaviour left him feeling “hurt”.

He claims the club have portrayed him as a “black sheep” and scapegoat for

their failings.

BETRAYER?

He tarnished United’s image by knocking a mobile phone from a young autistic fan’s hand after United’s defeat at Everton in April (above). He was cautioned by the police and charged by the FA.

Ronaldo agitated for a transfer in the summer because of

United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League. He did not report back for pre-season training and missed the club’s tour of Thailand and Australia.

He left Old Trafford before the end of United’s pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano in July after playing the first half in his first appearance under Ten Hag.

In October, he refused to come on against Tottenham as a late substitute and stormed down the players’ tunnel, leaving Old Trafford before the final whistle. He was axed for United’s next game by Ten Hag and fined two weeks’ wages of £1million.

He has savaged the club in an interview with Piers Morgan for Talktv, trying to justify his unprofessional outburst by saying: “I think it’s the right time to speak my mind.”