Manchester United have terminated the contract of Cristiano Ronaldo following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
A club statement issued today, November 22, 2022, on social media and the club’s official website confirmed the new development.
The statement from Manchester United read: “Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.
“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”
FutballNews had earlier reported that Manchester United had begun the process of terminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract after his interview was met with fury and backlash both from Erik Ten Hag and the Manchester United hierarchy.
The Portuguese star, in a tell-all interview, slammed Erik Ten Hag for disrespecting him and the Glazers for an incompetent approach to the management of the club.
Ronaldo admitted that nothing has changed at Old Trafford since he joined the club as a youngster. He bemoaned structures and facilities at the club that had gone moribund under the watch of the Glazers.
Erik Ten Hag was furious after the bombshell interview filtered in. He reportedly suspended his planned holiday and summoned a meeting with Manchester United hierarchy, asking that he does not want Cristiano Ronaldo to play for the club again.
In a similar move, Manchester United issued a press statement confirming they had seen the interview and are studying it before swinging into action.
It was confirmed that since the interview was in two parts, the Manchester United hierarchy were awaiting the second part of the interview to be released before deciding on Ronaldo’s future.
Meanwhile, the club had already swung into symbolic action. Workmen were spotted removing a giant mural featuring Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford.
However, the club dismissed speculations linking the removal of the mural to the Ronaldo bombshell interview. They maintained that the removal was a sequel to the planned renovation of some parts of Old Trafford.
After the second part of the interview was released, Manchester United issued a statement that they have started a process and will not comment further on the process until final conclusion.
Sources close to the Old Trafford club had revealed that Manchester United lawyers have agreed that Ronaldo’s interview had breached the terms of his contract with the club and amounts to disloyalty, enough to attract contract termination.
Manchester United’s decision to finally end Ronaldo’s contract has ended an era of one the most coveted and prolific players in history at Old Trafford.
The decision is the climax of the on-pitch and off-pitch collision with the Portuguese star, who had struggled since Erik Ten Hag arrived at the shores of Old Trafford as manager.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United as an inexperienced and budding youngster on 12 August 2003 under the watchful eyes of Manchester United’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ronaldo rose to become one of the most prolific and greatest footballers at Manchester United. He had scored 144 goals in 345 appearances for the Red Devils and won his first Ballon d’Or at the club.
He is currently with the Portuguese national team at the World Cup and is focused on making a successful outing of what may be his last World Cup tournament with the Portugal national team.
As of the time of filling in this report, Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to respond to the new development at Old Trafford concerning his future.
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo now that United has terminated his contract?
After the World Cup, Ronaldo will mutually terminate his contract with Manchester United as the club no longer needs his services.
Reports are linking him to Real Madrid’s return. But that will be effectively determined in the January transfer window, which will be a few days from the end of the World Cup.
If Real Madrid’s return doesn’t materialize, Ronaldo will have to bank on the hope that he could join any club in the January transfer window, or he will be without a club for the rest of the season.
