Man Utd to take appropriate steps

MANCHERSTER — Manchester United said yesterday the club have “initiated appropriate steps” following an explosive interview by Cristiano Ronaldo that left his future at Old Trafford in doubt.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he did not respect United manager Erik ten Hag and took aim at the club’s owners, the Glazer family, during the 90-minute interview aired on TalkTV.

“Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent media interview,” the club said in a statement.

“We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.”

Former United captain Gary Neville said on Thursday that the Red Devils have no option but to rescind Ronaldo’s contract, which runs until the end of the season.

Ronaldo is not due back in Manchester until after his fifth World Cup in Qatar with Portugal.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo said he regretted leaving early during a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur last month, but added that his decision to walk off came because he felt “provoked” by manager Erik ten Hag.

Last month, Ten Hag said Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute in the 2-0 home win over Spurs before walking down the tunnel with a few minutes of the match remaining. Ronaldo was then left out of the squad that faced Chelsea the following Saturday.

A couple of weeks before the Spurs game, Ronaldo had been left on the bench for United’s defeat at Manchester City, with Ten Hag saying that he had opted not to bring on the Portuguese forward in the 6-3 thrashing out of respect for his career.

“You don’t put me on against Manchester City because of respect for my career and you want to put me on for three minutes against Tottenham? It doesn’t make sense,” Ronaldo told Piers Morgan in an interview for TalkTV, the second part of which aired on Thursday.

“I think he did it on purpose. I felt provoked not only because of that game, but before. He doesn’t respect (me) the way I should deserve. But it is what it is. This is why probably, the game against Tottenham, I left.

“I will be honest with you, it’s something that I regret, leaving the stadium (against Tottenham)... A coach to put me in three minutes in a game (is) not allowed for me. Sorry, I’m not that kind of player. I know what I can give to the teams.”

In the wide-ranging interview, Ronaldo also said that United had betrayed him and alleged he was being forced out of the club.

United said on Monday that they would address Ronaldo’s comments that he felt betrayed by the club and was being forced out only after establishing the full facts. —