Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped a bombshell on Manchester United in his latest interview, accusing the club of just so many things. The Ronaldo-United saga has now been going on for six months, with an evident crack between the two. The 37-year-old had been unhappy with the club’s progress, and frustrated over missing out on a Champions League berth after finishing sixth last season in the Premier League. He wanted a move out this summer to continue to play in the elite European competition, which was further blocked by United.
Enter new United boss Erik ten Hag, wo only added to the misery of the former Real Madrid forward. The Dutchman, to imply his high pressing playing system has sacrificed Cristiano Ronaldo, starting him only 4 times in 10 Premier League games. This has further irked the Portugal captain, who also put his frustration for public display by refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month, and left the stadium even before the full-time whistle had been blown. Now the interview with Piers Morgan bashing the Red Devils, which hasn’t pleased one of his critiques, Jamie Carragher.
Carragher sides with Ten Hag over Cristiano Ronaldo accusations
In what was an unauthorised interview by Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo revealed how his relationship with the club has altered, and rather fractured. Its been evidently tough for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is used to playing every week, to assume a bench role. However, Ten Hag has already built a reputation at United wherein he has stamped his authority as the ‘ultimate decision maker’.
But it hasn’t been accepted by Ronaldo, who has found himself at crossroads with the manager constantly. His tantrums against Tottenham, where he left before the full time whistle, and didn’t wait for Ten Hag’s post match talk in the dressing room, forced the United manager to drop him from the traveling squad for their next game against Chelsea, clearly as a punishment. Talking about whether the club and manager want him gone, the five-time Champions League winner told Morgan:
“Yes [they want me gone], not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed. I don’t care. People should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don’t want me here, not only this year but last year too. I don’t have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”
However, Carragher who has often called out Cristiano Ronaldo’s behaviour ever since returning to United, once again slammed the forward for criticising his manager in such a way. Taking it to Twitter, the former pro-turned-pundit wrote:
Ronaldo “I don’t respect the manager”
Ronaldo under ETH: Announced he wanted to leave, refused to come on as a substitute, walked off the bench & left before the game had finished.
99% of United fans will be on the side of ETH, which shows how badly Ronaldo has handled this.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 13, 2022
Clearly, Carragher is not amongst those who would endorse Ronaldo’s comments suggesting Ten Hag has been the problem at the club. Many have hailed the former Ajax manager’s work at Old Trafford so far, who according to them has given a much needed identity to the team which had been missing in post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. However, as evident, that’s not the case with the Portuguese icon who also questioned club’s functioning since the sacking of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He further added in his conversation:
“I don’t know what is going on, but since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero. For example, we have an interesting point that how the club as Manchester United after [they] sack Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], they buy – they bring [in], sports director Ralf Rangnick, which is something that nobody understands. This guy is not even a coach. A bigger club like Manchester United brings [a] sports director – surprised not only me but all the world, you know.
While it may seem the problems have furled up after Ten Hag took over the club, Ronaldo’s revelations tell the damage had been done earlier. The Champions League all-time top scorer also had a longstanding tiff with Rangnick, who left the club before assuming his role of Sporting Director after Ten Hag’s appointment was confirmed. Nonetheless, Manchester United are yet to comment about their no.7’s interview, but it certainly looks over between the player and the club as he will look find a new home post the upcoming World Cup.