(Football news) In an explosive interview with Piers Morgan for The Sun, Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed that he feels “betrayed” by Manchester United for forcing him out of the club and has said he has “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag because he “doesn't show respect for me". Ronaldo also admitted that there has been “zero progress” at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. The 37 year old has also criticised Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Wayne Rooney in the interview, with the entire 90 minute version set to be released on Wednesday and Thursday night.
When asked if the Manchester United hierarchy were trying to force him out (after Ronaldo attempted to force a move out of the club in the summer) the 37 year old said “Yes. Not only the coach, but the other two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed. Honestly, I don't know. I don't care. People should hear the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed. Some people don't want me here not only this year, but last year too. I don't know what's going on. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I have seen no evolution in the club. The progress was zero.
"For example, an interesting point is how a club like Manchester United sacked Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer), they brought in a sporting director Ralf Rangnick which is something nobody understands. This guy is not even a coach! A big club like Manchester United bringing in a sporting director surprised not only me but all the world. Nothing changes. Not only the jacuzzi, the pool, even the gym. Even some points of technology, the kitchen, the chefs – who I appreciate, lovely people! They stopped in time which surprised me a lot. I thought I would see different things, technology, infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see many things I'm used to seeing when I'm 21, 22, 23. It surprised me a lot."
Speaking about Ten Hag, Ronaldo said “I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you." Interestingly, the 37 year old handed in a transfer request before meeting Ten Hag in the summer, refused to come on as a substitute in the match against Tottenham, walked off while the team was playing and was handed the captaincy in the match against Aston Villa last week by Erik ten Hag. Expressing his lack of respect for the manager on national television surely means that the Portuguese International will not feature for Manchester United ever again and his contract could be terminated before the start of the January transfer window.
Ronaldo added “I think the fans should know the truth. I want the best for the club. This is why I came to Manchester United. But you have some things inside that don't help [us] reach the top level as City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal…a club with this dimension should be top of the tree in my opinion and they are not unfortunately. As Picasso said, you have to destroy it to rebuild it (the artist's exact quote was: 'Every act of creation is first an act of destruction') and if they start with me, for me, it's not a problem. I love Manchester United, I love the fans, they're always on my side. But if they want to do it differently… they have to change many, many things."
Speaking about his former teammate Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo said “I don't know why he criticises me so badly…probably because he finished his career and I'm still playing at a high level. I'm not going to say that I'm looking better than him. Which is true…" When asked about his decision to join Manchester United, Ronaldo said “I followed my heart. He [Sir Alex] said to me, 'It's impossible for you to come to Manchester City', and I said, 'OK, boss'. He (Ferguson) knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be. He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don't see that… it's because they don't want to see; they are blind."
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