(Football news) Cristiano Ronaldo has done a full length interview with journalist Piers Morgan. The interview will be released on Wednesday and Thursday but a couple of clips and quotes have already been released. Ronaldo hasn't been a part of the Manchester United squad because of illness but the timing of the interview suggests that he is not ill and the club and Erik ten Hag have either suspended him or he has chosen to not travel with the team. The Portuguese talisman has since received heavy criticism for some of the things he said. Ronaldo said that he doesn't respect Ten Hag before saying that Ralf Rangnick isn't a coach and his appointment surprised him. He even said that former teammate Wayne Rooney criticizes him out of jealousy. He also said that he feels betrayed by the club as they tried to force him out.
The shots at Ten Hag, Rangnick and Rooney haven't gone down well and rightly so. Even if Ronaldo is likely to have played his last game for Manchester United, calling out the manager who is doing really well this season isn't the best thing to do. The criticism is absolutely fair but the problem is the focus on only the seemingly 'bad' things that he said. First and foremost the full interview hasn't been released and his statements may look worse than they are out of context. Ronaldo spoke about how there has been no progress since Sir Alex Ferguson left and the training facilities and technology are the same from when he left. This is something Manchester United fans and experts have been saying for a long time and Ronaldo has just gone on and confirmed it.
Ronaldo spoke about his love for the fans and the club which isn't being talked about because other stuff grabs more headlines. Ronaldo rejected Manchester City because Sir Alex Ferguson told him that he should. It is no secret that Ronaldo wouldn've scored a lot more goals for Manchester City and would've won a trophy or two. He chose Manchester United purely out of his love and loyalty for the club. Back in July, Ronaldo commented on an Instagram post saying that the truth will be out. Ex-teammate and Pundit Gary Neville called out Ronaldo a few times on why he isn't talking about the truth right now but when he has spoken the truth people are criticizing him for doing that which is a little strange.
Ronaldo also talks about how the club didn't support him while his 5 month old daughter was battling for her life, that too when his other son had passed away. That has surprisingly not brought any heat on the club from fans or experts. Currently it is pretty clear that everyone is supporting Manchester United and Erik ten Hag despite the fact that they have spent the last 10 years or so criticizing the club for things Ronaldo has addressed. The tide could change if and when more details emerge in the full interview. One thing is pretty clear that Cristiano Ronaldo will not come back to play for Manchester United. The fact that he has given this interview now indicates that he has a move lined up for January.
Also read: Where is Jude Bellingham likely to end up playing next season?
