Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United team-mates are struggling to understand why the 37-year-old took part in an explosive interview that saw him attack Erik ten Hag and tarnish the reputation of the club.
Ronaldo’s bombshell interview with Piers Morgan aired on Sunday evening. During the interview, Ronaldo accused Ten Hag and the United executives of trying to force him out of the club. He went on to say state they ‘lacked empathy’ following his daughters illness and even criticised Wayne Rooney.
Ronaldo’s team-mates are said to be ‘hugely disappointed’ in the 37-year-old. They feel he has disrespected the club and the current manager by speaking in the way that he did.
According to Sky Sports, Erik Ten Hag and the Manchester United players are extremely disappointed with the manner and timing of Ronaldo’s interview.
The club is said to have found out about the interview as they prepared to fly back from their 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday.
As a result, United are said to be considering ‘all of their options’ when it comes to Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford.
The club’s management staff and Ronaldo’s team-mates are said to be confused by the 37-year-old’s actions.
They are ‘hugely disappointed’ in him and feel he has disrespected the club, the current manager and his teammates.
They feel Ronaldo was treated with respect at the club – even after he asked to leave and after he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.
Therefore, they don’t understand why Ronaldo would tarnish the club’s reputation by conducting such an explosive interview.
Sky Sports have also stated that Ronaldo was told on Thursday that he would not be in United’s starting XI against Fulham.
However, the Portugal international was told he would be included in Ten Hag’s matchday squad.
Ronaldo is said to have told the club he was ‘ill’ and that he couldn’t travel to the game with the team.
Therefore, the Manchester United hierarchy were even more frustrated when the interview surfaced after the game.
During the interview, Ronaldo accused Ten Hag and United executives of trying to force him out of the club.
The 37-year-old admitted to having no respect for the Dutch manager and said he felt ‘betrayed’ by the club.
Ronaldo went on to hit back at Wayne Rooney after his former team-mate criticised his behaviour at Man United this season.
Ronaldo also accused United of a lack of ’empathy’ after club officials doubted him when he returned late for pre-season due to his daughter’s illness.
Fans were quick to respond to the interview – taking to Twitter to say the Portugal captain had ‘ruined his legacy’ and turned Old Trafford into a circus.
One fan tweeted: ‘The sooner Ronaldo leaves the better. What an absolute circus he creates Not needed and United are a better TEAM without him.’
Another said: ‘Ronaldo has ruined his legacy as a footballer and a person. His ego has ruined everything, it’s a shame his career has ended like this.’
