Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United with immediate effect

Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United with immediate effect

Spain’s forward With immediate effect, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United.

In a contentious interview, the 37-year-old criticised the team and declared that he had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag. This led to the decision.

In a contentious interview, the 37-year-old criticised the team and declared that he had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag. This led to the decision.

Ronaldo’s departure was described as “mutually decided” by both sides.

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A statement from Manchester United stated, “The club respects him for his enormous contribution during two seasons at Old Trafford.”

They said that “everyone at Manchester United remains focused on maintaining the team’s growth under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch” as well as wishing “him and his family well for the future.”

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.

In a Monday interview with the media in Qatar, he stated that he would “speak when he wants” and that his conflict 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.

He has just over seven months remaining on his £500,000-a-week contract with United and his departure leaves him free to sign for another club when the transfer window opens in January.

“Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” said a statement Ronaldo.

“I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.

“I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and the future.”

Ronaldo had not played for United because of an unspecified illness since he captained them in their 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on 6 November.

He was dropped for the Premier League game at Chelsea last month by Ten Hag after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham three days earlier.

In his TalkTV interview last week, Ronaldo said he felt “betrayed by the club” and, along with his view of Ten Hag, added that he felt he was being forced out of the club.

He also said he had seen “no evolution” at the club since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

United responded last Friday with a statement to say they had “initiated appropriate steps” in response.

“Cristiano obviously did that interview with the mindset that he wasn’t happy and wanted to get out of the club. He made that very clear,” former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand told BBC Sport.

“I think Erik ten Hag got what he wanted in this situation as well. Both parties are happy and we can move on.

“The next chapter for Cristiano? It depends what his motivation is. Play in the Champions League? Money? To continue playing somewhere with a nice climate?

Source: bbc.com