Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United by mutual consent following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
United issued a 67-word statement on Tuesday evening announcing they had reached a mutual agreement with the striker to terminate his contract.
Ronaldo’s interview with TalkTV, which aired in two parts on Wednesday and Thursday last week, saw the 37-year-old reveal that he felt “betrayed” by the club and that he has “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo’s key quotes: A snapshot of his full interview
- ‘I feel betrayed by Man Utd | I have no respect for Erik ten Hag’
- “Man Utd doubted me over my sick daughter when I missed pre-season”
- ‘The Glazer family don’t care about Man Utd | United have stopped on a clock’
- “Man City move was close but Sir Alex Ferguson changed everything”
- “Young people don’t care, but Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez are different”
- “Roy Keane is the best captain I’ve ever had, but Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney aren’t my friends”
- ‘I never saw Ralf Rangnick as a boss | Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did a good job’
- “I regret leaving Old Trafford against Tottenham, I felt provoked”
- ‘I turned down a €350m Saudi move | I don’t know if I’ll still be at Man Utd after the World Cup’
- “I’d be happy if Arsenal won the Premier League”
- ‘Lionel Messi is magical I want to play until 40’
The Portugal captain, who is currently representing his country at the World Cup, also claimed that members of the United hierarchy were trying to get him out of Old Trafford and doubted him when he said he could not attend the preseason because his daughter was sick in the hospital.
United said they would consider their response to Ronaldo’s comments “after all the facts have been established” and have now decided to part ways with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
According to Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, there is a sense of relief at Manchester United that the Ronaldo issue has finally been resolved and confidence that the club will be in a stronger position for the second half of the season
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Our pick of Ronaldo’s highs and lows in his second spell at Manchester United
How Man Utd and Ronaldo announced their split
A club statement read: “Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United by mutual consent, with immediate effect.
“The club would like to thank him for his immense contribution over two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wish him and his family all the best for the future.
“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to achieve success on the pitch.”
Issuing his own statement, Ronaldo said: “Following discussions with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to terminate our contract early.
“I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never change. However, it feels like the right time to look for a new challenge.
“I wish the team every success for the rest of the season and for the future.”
Man Utd make Ronaldo exit ‘clean and quick’
United wanted Ronaldo’s exit to be “clean and quick” and as dignified as possible, not only to minimize distraction at Old Trafford but also to show respect to Portugal during the World Cup.
There is a sense of relief at United that the problem has finally been resolved and a sense that the team will be in a stronger position for the second half of the season.
Sky Sports News heard last week that United did not accept some of the criticism Ronaldo made in the interview.
Ronaldo criticized the club for a lack of investment in the 13 years since he left Old Trafford. Sources have insisted United have invested in their facilities, notably the training ground, restaurant and swimming pool.
The Portuguese superstar also criticized Ten Hag, but sources insisted Ronaldo was treated with respect by the club and manager.
It has been confirmed to Sky Sports News that there was an offer from Saudi Arabia in the summer, which United would have accepted, but Ronaldo did not want to make the move. There were no other official offers for the player in the last transfer window.
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Ronaldo appeared surprised by the frosty reception he received from Manchester United and Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes when they met for the World Cup. Credit: Portuguese FA
Where next? “I have received many offers…”
During his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo confirmed that he had been offered a two-year contract worth €350m (£305m) from a club in Saudi Arabia. However, he insisted he also had interest from Europe’s top sides, despite no offers being made during the summer transfer window.
“I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t have many, many clubs, but I have many, many offers from other clubs,” Ronaldo said. “What the press says, the rubbish, is that no one wants me, which is completely wrong”.
What options does Ronaldo have, who insists he wants to play until he’s 40?
Europe, Saudi Arabia, MLS?
Sky Sports News Chief Reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“How many clubs are willing to pay him £500,000 a week? Someone who’s 37, someone who a lot of people would say is fading. Of course he’s not as good as he used to be.
“I think he will be more attractive to European clubs in the Champions League because he is a free agent. Anyone who wants to give him a contract does not have to deal with Manchester United and there is no transfer fee. You just have to sit with (agent) Jorge Mendes and you agree a deal.Obviously he’ll want a big signing fee too, but I wouldn’t discount a move to a European club, one in the Champions League.
“If he’s chasing money, of course, you have to say Saudi Arabia. We know he had a big offer to go there in the summer, so I think he’ll have opportunities there. Also, I wouldn’t discount MLS. There will be clubs who want to sign him as a marquee signing.
“But I don’t think he’ll go to MLS. I think he’s more likely to find a club in the Champions League and get what he wants.
“Paris Saint-Germain had been suggested as a possible destination, but they have absolutely no interest in signing Ronaldo even though he is now a free agent.”
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Ronaldo says his controversial interview with Piers Morgan will not affect Portugal at the World Cup
Mitten: Man Utd fans will wish Ronaldo the best
United We Stand editor Andy Mitten on Sky Sports News:
“It’s the most sensible thing. After that interview last week this is the right decision. The club didn’t want to stay, they wanted to reach an agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo’s people.
“He didn’t want to be at Manchester United. He wanted to leave the club, that’s been true for four or five months and he will get his wish and both parties will move on.
“History will still remember Cristiano Ronaldo well as a Manchester United player, probably the best player I have ever seen play for Manchester United in his first spell at Old Trafford, and he was a success last season.
“This season hasn’t been a success and it’s been frustrating to watch him and see his decline in real time. But he feels he can still bring a lot as a footballer, that won’t be at Manchester United.
“I think most Manchester United fans will wish him well as long as he’s not at Liverpool or Manchester City.”
Neville: Ronaldo knew the interview would end his Man Utd career
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Watch the full interview with Gary Neville, who last week said there was no way back for Ronaldo at Manchester United after his interview with Piers Morgan
On Friday, Sky Sports’ Gary Neville said there was “no way back” for Ronaldo at Manchester United after his interview.
“I wouldn’t have done this interview if I wanted a way back. I knew it would bring the headlines it has and it would be the end of his Manchester United career,” said Neville.
“[Man Utd] They know they have to terminate Cristiano’s contract or they basically set a precedent for any player to criticize them in the future.”
Asked for his thoughts and whether he was against Ronaldo, who criticized his former team-mate in the interview, Neville replied: “It’s not true, what he said, but all’s fair in love and war.
“I live in the game of criticism and I know I have to accept it, and I get a lot of it back. I love all my teammates I’ve played with, including Cristiano.
“I’m not against Ronaldo, far from it. I couldn’t have more admiration for him, I couldn’t have more respect for him. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen and he’s the most talented player I’ve ever played with.”
Read every word Neville had to say…