Football: United to take ‘appropriate steps’ after explosive Ronaldo comments
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Cristiano Ronaldo said in an explosive interview that he did not respect manager Erik ten Hag and took aim at the club’s owners.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester United said on Friday the club have “initiated appropriate steps” following an explosive interview by Cristiano Ronaldo
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he did not respect United manager Erik ten Hag and took aim at the club’s owners, the Glazer family, for having no ambition during the 90-minute interview aired on TalkTV.
“Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent media interview,” the club said in a statement.
“We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.”
There were no details given by United but major news outlets in England have reported that Ronaldo will no longer have a future at the club.
Manchester United said it has “initiated appropriate steps” following an explosive interview by Cristiano Ronaldo.
PHOTO: MANCHESTER UNITED
The Daily Mail said that United have begun a legal process to sack the Portuguese forward by terminating his £500,000-a-week (S$816,500) contract without paying him the £16 million he would have earned until it expired next June.
Sky Sports reported that there is “close to zero chance” Ronaldo will play for United again and that the Red Devils want his exit to be done “cleanly and quickly”.
The Times of London also said that United are ready to sue him for breach of contract, while he will not be welcomed at their Carrington training ground after the World Cup.
In October, Ronaldo was suspended by the club for their 1-1 draw at Chelsea
The 37-year-old claimed during the interview with Piers Morgan that he felt “provoked” into that reaction by ten Hag.
“I think he did it on purpose,” said Ronaldo. “I felt provoked. I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.
“I will be honest with you, it’s something that I regret, leaving the stadium (against Tottenham). But a coach to put me in three minutes in a game (is) not allowed for me. Sorry, I’m not that kind of player. I know what I can give to the teams.”
Ronaldo has been a peripheral figure on the field during the Dutchman’s first season in charge at United, scoring just once in the Premier League.
Former United captain Gary Neville said on Thursday that the Red Devils have no option but to rescind Ronaldo’s contract.
Ronaldo is currently preparing to play in his fifth World Cup with Portugal
He revealed he hopes to keep playing until he is 40 and dismissed reports of a lack of options should he move clubs in the January transfer window.
“I want to play two, three more years maximum. I want to finish with 40, it will be a good age,” he said.
“But I don’t know. Sometimes you plan one thing for your life and, as I told many times, life is dynamic.” AFP, REUTERS
