Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, currently in Qatar for the World Cup, will leave Manchester United “by mutual agreement, with immediate effect”, the English club announced in a press release on Tuesday.
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“The club thanks him for his immense contribution during his two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family a bright future,” added Manchester United on the departure of the 37-year-old Portuguese star, who recently strongly criticized his coach and his leaders in an interview with the English channel TalkTV.
“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag’s leadership and working together to achieve success on the pitch,” concludes the club.
In an interview with English presenter Piers Morgan on TalkTV, broadcast in several parts in mid-November, the Portuguese star said of his coach Erik ten hag: “I don’t have any respect for him because he doesn’t show no respect for me”.
“Not just the coach, but two or three other guys around the club. I feel betrayed,” added the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
He also attacked the owners of Manchester United, the Glazer family, who “don’t care” about the sporting success of their team and had also scratched his former teammates Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, who criticized him: “This are not my friends.
After a successful first stint (2003-2009) with three Premier League titles and a Champions League won under Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Red Devils in the summer of 2021.
But the non-qualification of his team in the Champions League at the end of the 2021-2022 season, then his reduced playing time in recent months, have complicated his second spell in Manchester.
CR7’s recent scathing remarks against his club precipitated the divorce.
Last Friday, Manchester United announced that it had “triggered appropriate measures” in response to the attacks of its star player.
The Portuguese star had assured his side that his open conflict with his club “would not shake” his selection during the 2022 World Cup, which she begins Thursday against Ghana.