CRISTIANO Ronaldo has slammed Manchester United’s controversial US owners the Glazer family — saying: “They don’t care about the club”.
He revealed he has never exchanged a single word with any of the family since his return to the club, despite being one of the world’s biggest soccer stars.
And he accused them of being more interested in United being a “marketing club” rather than a football club so they can pocket more cash.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told Piers Morgan he believed the Glazers “don’t care” about the club and only see it as a cash cow.
He confirmed he had “never” spoken to the owners because they put the club in the hands of CEO Richard Arnold.
In one exchange Ronaldo said: “The owners of the club they, listen they don’t . . .”
Read More on Cristiano Ronaldo
Piers: “The Glazers?”
Ronaldo: “The Glazers, they don’t — they don’t care about, about the club. I mean, professional sport.
“As you know this, Manchester is a marketing club. They will get its money from the marketing, the sport, it’s . . . they don’t really care, in my opinion.”
Asked: “Do you ever talk to them, the Glazers?”, Ronaldo replied “Never. No. They give all the power to the president, sport director.”
Most read in Football
Ronaldo also urged United fans to continue protesting against the Glazers’ ownership.
He said: “The fans, they’re always right. I think the fans should know the truth — should now that the players . . . we want the best for the club.
“I want the best of the club. This is why I am coming to Manchester United. This is why I love this club.”
He that without a change of ownership, fans would face a wait for success.
Ronaldo said: “You have some things inside the club which don’t help Manchester reach the top level as City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal, for example.
“It’s hard in my opinion. It will be hard for Manchester to be in the top of the game, the next two, three years.”
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Ronaldo after the Red Devils played his boyhood team Sporting Lisbon in a friendly in 2003
The Glazers, they don’t – they don’t care about, about the club.
Ronaldo
His players urged him to sign the then 18-year-old. United splashed out £12million and gave Ronaldo the iconic No 7 shirt.
His first appearance came as a sub with a dazzling display which George Best hailed as “the most exciting debut” he had ever seen.
Ronaldo went on to become a fan favourite during a six-year stint in which he won the Premier League three times, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the League Cup twice and the FIFA Club World Cup.
He scored 118 goals in 292 games before moving to Real Madrid for £80million.
He then spent nine seasons in Spain before moving to Italian side Juventus in 2018.
Watch ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo’, Wednesday and Thursday, 8pm on TalkTV. Find TalkTV on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 and Sky Glass 508, live and on demand on the TalkTV app, streaming services and at Talk.TV.
When Portugal won the 2016 Euro final, touching images emerged of Sir Alex patiently waiting to congratulate Ronaldo in the stands.
And when United announced Ronaldo was re-signing last September, the club’s share price rose a staggering eight per cent — increasing the club’s value by around £181million.
The club website also temporarily crashed as millions of supporters tried to find out more about the comeback.
Ronaldo signed a two-year deal which expires next summer.
During his career, Ronaldo has won more than 30 major trophies.
Read More on The Sun
In all, they include five Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship for his native Portugal.
Last season he scored 24 goals but this season he has been sidelined by manager Erik ten Hag and has scored just three times.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
