Ronaldo slams Manchester United in Piers Morgan interview

Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels Manchester United betrayed him as he believes the club and coaches try to force him out of the club, as stated in an upcoming interview with Piers Morgan. The full interview airs over two days on Piers Morgan Uncensored, the host’s on the British TV channel TalkTV.

The Portuguese sensation rejoined Manchester United in the summer of 2021. That was over a decade removed since departing Old Trafford for Real Madrid. In his first year back in England, Ronaldo led Manchester United in goals in all competitions with 24. That includes 18 in the Premier League, which finished third behind Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah who both had 23.

This season, the honeymoon phase certainly seems to have ended. In the interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo claims the coaches and the ‘senior executives’ felt some people did not want him there.

The coaches he refers to are both current manager Erik ten Hag and former interim coach Ralf Rangnick. In fact, Ronaldo added more scintillating remarks towards the Austrian National Team manager.

“If you are not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I’d never even heard of him,” Ronaldo said of the coach who led United for 29 matches.

And, of course, by senior executives, Piers Morgan and Ronaldo likely refer to the Glazer family, which owns Manchester United. Ronaldo said he “should not say” whether or not the ownership is trying to get rid of him. The forward added that it is not just this year with any struggles. This goes back to last year when he propped the club up to a sixth-place finish in what was a tumultuous time at United.

Ronaldo targets ownership in Piers Morgan interview

Ronaldo accused the ownership group of not doing anything to update the facilities at United, helping to keep the club down in the table compared to rivals Manchester City or Liverpool.

It did not stop at the club’s apparent desires to offload Ronaldo. The Portuguese claimed Manchester United stagnated in regards to developing. That includes things like the pool or jacuzzi.

“I thought I would see different things,” Ronaldo told Piers Morgan. “As I mentioned, technology, infrastructure. But, unfortunately, we see many things that I used to see when I was 20, 21 or 23. It surprised me a lot.”

Manchester United released a statement noting Ronaldo’s comments with Morgan. The statement added that the club plans on delivering a full response once it gathers all the facts.

“Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans,” United closed the statement with.

Manchester United enters the World Cup break coming off a dramatic win against Fulham, where Alejandro Garnacho scored in the 93rd minute. United stands in fifth in the EPL table three and four points behind Spurs and Newcastle, respectively. However, Erik ten Hag’s side does have a game in hand on both those clubs.

PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images