Beleaguered Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has blasted Erik Ten Hag and accused Manchester United’s hierarchy of betraying him in an interview with Piers Morgan.
In the exclusive interview, the wantaway Manchester United forward poured out his feelings following an unprecedented dip in his career at the club.
Ronaldo went candid on his thoughts about Erik Ten Hag and the Manchester United hierarchy, whom he said betrayed him following his return to the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a difficult spell with Manchester United under the new manager Erik Ten Hag, since he missed preseason tour and later returned to play second fiddle to other rising youngsters.
When asked whether he feels betrayed at the club, Ronaldo said, “Yes, I feel betrayed. Some people don’t want me here not only this year, but last year too.”
The five times Ballon d’Or winner also blast new Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag for disrespecting him at the club. He added that he doesn’t respect Erik Ten Hag too.
“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you,” he said.
Ronaldo’s ‘respect’ clause in his grievings at Manchester United can be understood in his attitude towards Erik Ten Hag since the beginning of the season.
On July 31, Manchester United drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in a preseason friendly and Ronaldo sparked reactions when he left Old Trafford before the end of the game.
Erik Ten Hag reacted, saying ‘such behaviour is unacceptable” and will not be condone by him.
In another scenario on October 2nd, Manchester United lost 6-3 to Manchester City at the Etihad, and Erik Ten Hag left Ronaldo on the bench, saying he did it out of respect for the striker.
However, he was widely criticised for leaving Ronaldo on the bench in such a high-profile match.
The faceoff between Cristiano Ronaldo and Erik Ten Hag climaxed on October 19 during Manchester United 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Ronaldo refused to come on the pitch and headed down the exit tunnel before full time. His reaction was widely criticised by both pundits and fans, saying it is unacceptable.
He was dropped out of the traveling squad against Chelsea and was later suspended and banished from first-team training following the incident.
Ronaldo was reinstated and returned with a goal for Manchester United. In Manchester United’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa, he was declared ill and left out of the squad.
Evidently, Ronaldo has struggled to find his feet under Erik Ten Hag and has blamed his poor form this season on the manager and Manchester United hierarchy.
According to him, he feels betrayed after he obeyed his former manager Alex Ferguson and snubbed a move to Manchester City to join United.
His interview with Piers Morgan was released in the evening of Manchester United’s 1-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
He was left out of the squad because he was ill, according to Erik Ten Hag. However, Ronaldo must has anticipated the release of this interview an excused himself from the squad.
It is still unclear how the interview will be received by Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United players, and the club’s hierarchy.
The timing of the interview is also significant for Ronaldo. The Premier League is on World Cup break, and actions will returned on boxing day December 26.
Boxing day is a few days before the January transfer window opens. It is pretty clear that Cristiano Ronaldo is on the exit lane from Old Trafford in January.
