Raphaël Varane has admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview – in which he criticized Manchester United’s owners and manager Erik ten Hag – has sent shock waves through the squad.
Ronaldo, speaking to Piers Morgan on TalkTV, announced that he had no respect for Ten Hag and claimed that several people at United were trying to get him off. The 37-year-old striker also claimed that the Glazer family, owners since 2005, did not care about the club.
United are taking legal advice, and awaiting the broadcast of the full interview, before issuing a response and, while a statement said it “remains focused on … continuing the momentum, the belief and the union that is being built’, the effects of the interview are clearly being felt by the rest of United’s players.
Varane, who is preparing for the World Cup with France, told radio station Europe 1: “Obviously it affects us. We follow what is happening and what is being said. We try to calm the situation in our own way, we try not to get too involved.
When it’s a star like Cristiano Ronaldo, even more we try to take it from a distance, that is to say we don’t try to change the situation alone, we are part of a collective. What I want is the best for my team, whatever the decision [by the club]as a player, we will accept it and give the best of ourselves”.
With the first part of Ronaldo’s interview aired on Wednesday night, following a drip-feed of snippets from social media, the forward confirmed he had spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of his return to United . Ronaldo was on the verge of joining Manchester City’s rivals Juventus but said a chat with his former manager changed his mind.
“Well, honestly, it was close,” he said. “But as you know, my history at Manchester United, your heart, you feel like before, it makes the difference. And, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson too. I think that was the key. It was the difference at the time, but I can’t be loyal if I want to, I wouldn’t say Manchester City weren’t close.
“But I think I did [make] a conscious decision. I don’t regret any moment. And as you mentioned earlier, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key. I talked to him. He told me “it’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City”. And I say “okay, boss.” So I made the decisions and I repeat, I was aware that it was a good decision”.
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Ronaldo also hit out at younger players coming up in the professional game, claiming they “don’t care”.
“The new generation and new technologies distract them. But they are not the same [in the way] that they listen but that’s why we have two ears, since you listen from one side and they stay away from the other”, he said.
“So I’m not surprised. But in the same way it is a little bit [of a] pity because if they have the best examples in front of them [their] eyes, and if they don’t, at least copy what [they] did.
“They don’t care, some do, but most don’t. But to me that’s not surprising because they won’t have longevity in their careers. It is impossible. In my generation you see a lot of players reaching 36, 37, 38 at a high level and I think this generation you will count on one hand how many will reach that level.”
Ronaldo missed training with Portugal on Wednesday due to a stomach infection. It ends a busy week for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has also been involved in awkward exchanges with fellow internationals Bruno Fernandes and João Cancelo. Portugal begin their World Cup campaign next week against Ghana.
Meanwhile, the French national team has announced that it has pledged to provide financial support to non-governmental organizations and charities working to protect human rights.
The World Cup has been tainted by the appalling lack of protection for migrant workers who have endured exploitative, even deadly, conditions as Qatar prepared for the tournament, while the country’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights has also has cast a long shadow over the event.
“We are players, we have this way of expressing ourselves, but it is human that we expressed it through this letter,” said Varane, France’s vice-captain. “It’s also a lot of light. [shone] about us and we also want to humanly express what we feel”.