Ronaldo is dumped by angry Reds and will lose £16m wages
CRISTIANO RONALDO was dumped by Manchester United last night after trashing the club and boss Erik ten Hag in a bombshell interview.
The decision to tear up the Portugal icon’s contract means he will lose out on £16million in wages. With Ronaldo and United mutually
agreeing to end the forward’s £500,000-aweek contract seven months early, the 37-year-old veteran won’t receive a pay-off.
Sources at Old Trafford said it had been a “clean break”, with Ronaldo now free to join a new club without any restrictions.
Chelsea and former club Sporting Lisbon, along with MLS sides, are potential destinations although his bumper wages are an issue.
Ronaldo released a statement confirming his exit, which read: “We have mutually agreed to end our contract early.
“I love United and the fans, that will never, ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
“I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and the future.”
United took the decision to show Ronaldo the door after he accused the club of “betrayal”, then declared he had “no respect” for Ten Hag in his bombshell TV interview. In a statement, United thanked him for his “immense contribution” and confirmed his departure was by “mutual agreement, with immediate effect”. Former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand (left) said: “The next chapter for Cristiano? It depends what his motivation is. Play in the Champions League? Money? To continue playing somewhere with a nice climate? We’ll find out in due course...”