Manchester United enjoyed a brilliant last-minute win against Fulham on Sunday, with highly-rated youngster Alejandro Garnacho scoring deep into stoppage time to hand the Red Devils a memorable 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage ahead of the six-week FIFA World Cup break. However, this joyful moment was short-lived as an explosive Cristiano Ronaldo came out a while later.
The five-time Ballon d'Or, who missed the club's last two fixtures due to illness, sat down for an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan in which he candidly speaks about Old Trafford and all the problems at the club.
And while the entire conversation with its context is yet to be unveiled, the snippets that have been posted online have been controversial at best. The 37-year-old did not shy away from slamming his employers, criticizing former interim boss Ralf Ragnick, and hitting out at his current manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite trying to leave the Red Devils all summer, as per several reliable news outlets, Ronaldo claims that he was betrayed by the English giants. According to his words, both the highers-up and the newly-appointed Ten Hag tried to force him out of the Theatre of Dreams, with the attacker unapologetically admitting to having no respect for the Dutch tactician.
"I don't have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn't show respect for me," Ronaldo said (as per the Daily Mail) before later accusing the club of making him the black sheep.
"I feel betrayed."
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022
EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels like he's being forced out of Manchester United in an explosive interview.
90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/nqp4mcXHB0
"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.
"Honestly, I shouldn't say that. But listen, I don't care. People should listen to the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed."
The Real Madrid icon also took aim at Rangnick, who oversaw the club for a brief spell after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking before eventually departing at the end of last season.
"If you're not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I'd never even heard of him."
Cristiano also highlighted the decay at Manchester United, claiming that nothing has changed since he was last at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, not even the jacuzzi and cooks!
Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't believe what he saw when he returned to Man United pic.twitter.com/fIYJYPoSHE
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 14, 2022
This follows the infamous fallout with Ten Hag during the 2-0 win over Tottenham. Not only did Ronaldo refuse to come on as a substitute in that game, but the former Juventus ace then stormed down the tunnel before full-time and left the stadium altogether prematurely.
He was subsequently suspended for one match – the one-all draw at Chelsea – but was welcomed back into the first team after holding crunch talks with the manager. However, not all has been forgiven by Cristiano.
Piers Morgan went on to offer some insight about this interview, telling popular radio station talkSPORT that it was Ronaldo who requested this sit-down. The player is said to be frustrated and wanted to tell his side of the story before leaving to join to Portuguese national team for Qatar 2022.
The attacker will now be away from Manchester United for a month but will have to return for their showdown with Nottingham Forest on December 27. However, as revealed by Sky Sports' chief report Kaveh Solhekol, the Red Devils were left extremely unhappy by this interview as they were only made aware of it as they were returning home from Fulham. The 20-time English champions will now consider all options regarding the iconic goalscorer, with many predicting a January exit for the superstar.
Manchester United are likely to now consider all their options regarding Ronaldo. Management and players don't understand why he has said what he has said. They are hugely disappointed that he would disrespect the club, his manager and teammates in this way. 2/3
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) November 14, 2022