While the gaze of the planet focuses on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, thousands of miles away, one football club must find the solution to a most difficult and confusing problem. Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo may be a hero for millions of supporters, yet it seems he may have torched his relationship with millions who follow Manchester United.
Ronaldo Launches Criticism in All Directions
Fanning the flames of his apparent discontent at the club, Ronaldo appeared in a ninety-minute interview hosted by UK television personality and former newspaper editor Piers Morgan. During this interview, the 37-year-old football star was not holding back on any of his feelings. Indeed, Ronaldo said he feels “betrayed” by Manchester United, expressing the sensation that he is being blamed for everything that is going wrong at the club.
Ronaldo also blasted current manager Erik ten Hag amidst a relationship that has become increasingly frosty since the team appointed the Dutch coach. “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” was the comment he aimed straight at the United boss. Ten Hag suspended Ronaldo in October for refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur, along with leaving Old Trafford before the game was over.
His comments also aimed criticism at the club owners, as Ronaldo expressed his disappointment at what he believes Manchester United has become since he departed for Real Madrid in 2009 and returned in 2021. “The progress was zero. Since Sir Alex (Ferguson) left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed,” he explained.Former United players have chastised Ronaldo, reprimanding him for a petulant attitude. One of them was club legend Wayne Rooney, although Ronaldo also had a response aimed at the former England striker. “I don’t know why he criticizes me so badly. Probably because he finished his career, and I’m still playing at a high level,” he pointed out. “I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him, which is true,” he concluded somewhat childishly.
Manchester United Response to Ronaldo Comments
The first reaction from Old Trafford came swiftly when United issued an official Ronaldo statement, responding to the widespread media coverage that excerpts of his interview had received. “The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established,” read the somewhat non-committal statement, pointing instead towards “momentum, belief and togetherness” being the team’s priority focus.
Ronaldo appears to have snapped the chord of togetherness in the team, as the reaction from one of his current United teammates would suggest. There was actually surprise on the face of Ronaldo, following what appeared to be a frosty handshake from Bruno Fernandes, who then greeted his international colleagues with much more enthusiasm and warmness.
Elsewhere, international bookmakers already believe Ronaldo will now leave Manchester United. Focusing on the best odds and offers available, Asiabet has reviewed top online sports betting, known as พนันกีฬาออนไลน์ in Thailand, covering all the football betting markets available and including those for transfers. The current odds would suggest that Ronaldo now has no future with the Red Devils.
But there is a considerable problem facing both Ronaldo and United, and that will be expediting his most convenient and swiftest exit from the club. When the player expressed his desire to leave in the summer, there were no serious bidders. After such a public airing of dirty laundry, his task of moving to a top European club has possibly become even more difficult. Nevertheless, there certainly seems to be no way back for him at Old Trafford.
What Next for the Portuguese Superstar?
This is perhaps the most difficult question to answer at the moment, while Ronaldo focuses on helping Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. For their part, Manchester United will probably wish to part ways with Ronaldo, and as quickly as they possibly can. This might even include a willingness to terminate his contract with the club should there be no immediate offers for him on the table. Right now, this is a delicate and complicated situation.
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