Reports suggest that Manchester United coach Erik Ten Hag may have no intention of reintegrating Cristiano Ronaldo back into the squad following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in light of the footballer’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
Erik Ten Hag wants Cristiano Ronaldo booted from Man Utd – Report
Sources close to ESPN claim the Dutch manager met Man United bosses, co-chairman Joel Glazerchief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough on Monday, hours after Ronaldo made shocking statements about the club.
Speaking to Morgan in a two-part interview airing on TalkTV on Wednesday and Thursday, 17 November 2022, Ronaldo laid the blame for United’s epic downfall squarely on the Glazers’ attitude toward the club.
“The owners of the club, Glazers… they don’t care — I mean professionally, sportingly. They don’t care… There are some things into the club that don’t help Man Utd to reach top level… I never spoke to them, never!” he said.
The 37-year-old attacker also uttered startling claims about Ten Hag and made it abundantly clear that he has no respect for the Dutch manager.
Ten Hag, it’s reported, took Ronaldo’s scathing interview as the last straw and made a request to the Glazers to look into ways in which the club can detangle itself from the six months remaining in his £500 000-per-week contract.
According to sources, while Ten Hag recognises the enormous impact a fit and motivated Ronaldo has on his rebuild project, it’s said that the Dutch manager is not willing to sacrifice unity in the dressing room to appease the 37-year-old’s ego.
It seems, already, animosity from senior Man Utd players toward Ronaldo is building and it’s clear as day in the video footage that surfaced on Monday, showing the tense encounter between Ronaldo and fellow Portuguese and United midfielder Bruno Fernandes at the national meet-up in Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Following the release of the Piers Morgan interview snippet, Manchester United published a statement noting Ronaldo’s comments.
“The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established. Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans,” the club noted.