Spain’s forward With immediate effect, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United as reported by BBC.
Departure
In a contentious interview, the 37-year-old insulted the team and declared that he had “no regard” for manager Erik ten Hag. This led to the decision.
Ronaldo’s departure was described as “mutually decided” by both sides.
A statement from Manchester United stated, “The club respects him for his enormous contribution during two seasons at Old Trafford.”
“Everyone at Manchester United is focused on continuing the team’s growth under Erik ten Hag and working together to bring success on the pitch,” they said, adding that they wished “him and his family well for the future.”
Mutual agreement
In Ten Hag’s first season as manager, with the season suspended for the World Cup in Qatar, United sit fifth in the Premier League.
At the competition, Ronaldo is with Portugal and will lead them in their opening Group H match against Ghana on Thursday.
On Monday, he spoke with the media in Qatar, claiming that he would “comment when he wants” and that his disagreement with United would not “shake” the Portugal team.
In August 2021, 11 years after he left Juventus to join Real Madrid, Ronaldo—who scored 145 goals in 346 games for United—returned to the Old Trafford club.
His £500,000 per week deal with United had just over seven months left, and with his departure, he is now free to sign with any club, including one in the Premier League, when the transfer window opens in January.
In a statement, Ronaldo said, “Following discussions with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to finish our contract early.”
“I adore Manchester United and the supporters, and that won’t ever change. But now seems like the perfect time for me to look for a fresh challenge. I send my best wishes to the team for the rest of the year and the future.”
We can proceed now that all parties are content. – Ferdinand.
Betrayed by the club?
Ronaldo, who has three goals in 16 appearances for United this season, hasn’t played since he led the team in their 3-1 loss at Aston Villa on November 6 due to an unidentified ailment.
Following his refusal to enter the game as a substitute against Tottenham three days prior, Ten Hag benched him for the Premier League match at Chelsea last month.
Ronaldo revealed in a TalkTV interview last week that he did not regret not being a substitute for the final few minutes of a victory over Spurs because he believed Ten Hag had “provoked” him.
In addition, he discussed how he felt “betrayed by the club” generally and added his opinion of Ten Hag that he believed he was being ejected from the club.
He added that after the departure of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, he had observed “no evolution” in the team.
Prior to joining United again, Ronaldo said he was on the verge of joining Manchester City. At the time, he had previously turned down a £305 million transfer to a Saudi Arabian club.
He discussed losing his infant son in April and how moved he was by a tribute given to him by Liverpool supporters at a match versus United at Anfield in the days that followed.
Proper actions
In a statement released last Friday, United said that in reaction to the interview, they had “taken the proper actions.”
“Cristiano evidently conducted that interview from a position of discontent and desire to leave the club. Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United defender, told BBC Sport that he made that very plain.”
“I believe Erik ten Hag also obtained his objectives in this circumstance. We may proceed now that all parties are content.”
“The next chapter for Cristiano? It depends on what his motivation is. Play in the Champions League? Money? To continue playing somewhere with a nice climate?”
“We’ll find out in due course I’m sure.”
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Source: BBC
