Although Cristiano Ronaldo’s reunion with Manchester United was heralded as the return of the prodigal son to Old Trafford, it ended on Tuesday in a divorce brought on by his venomous outburst against the team. United announced they were cutting all links with a player who was once the hottest property in football two days before Portugal’s World Cup opener. The Portuguese forward said last week that he felt “betrayed” by the Premier League club and had no respect for manager Erik ten Hag during an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
He also criticised the club’s US owners, the Glazer family, saying they are more concerned with United’s potential for financial gain than its performance on the field. The 37-year-old even launched a broadside against his former colleagues Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, declaring that “they are not my pals” in response to their previous criticism of him. Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Manchester United colleague, Wayne Rooney, has now spoken on the star’s departure from the Premier League heavyweights.
“I think it’s sad to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, I have said so many times, one of the best player of all time. To see it end with Manchester United, obviously as a former teammate and as a fan of Manchester United, it’s really sad to see it end this way,” Rooney told Sports 18. “I think once everyone saw the interview he did with Piers Morgan and how he attacked the club, I think there was no option (but) for this to happen. It’s a shame because he has been a servant to Manchester United.”
