Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan has been broadcast and the Manchester United superstar is revealing all his grievances with the club.Ronaldo, 37, will feature for Portugal in the World Cup, which starts on Sunday, but he has made the headlines in recent days.
Part one of his bombshell interview with Morgan is now out for the world to see.
The Portuguese icon has opened up on how close his move was to Manchester City before re-joining United, alongside claiming that the youngster at Old Trafford ‘don’t care’ enough.
And now the forward has discussed Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville’s criticism in more detail, revealing that it is hard to take from his former teammates.
He is set to reveal even more in the second 45 minutes, which is out tonight. You can find all the details about that here, or keep up with our latest updates below.
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Get all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip coming out of Old Trafford…
Fabinho trolls trio
Liverpool star Fabinho has made a dig at Brazil team-mates as well as Manchester United aces Casemiro, Antony and Fred for joining the “wrong” Premier League club.
The midfielder said: “When I left and saw him winning opportunities at Real, I always sent him a congratulatory message.
“Regardless of whether we compete for position, we get along very well. He had already commented that he’d like to play in the Premier League.
“Too bad he went to the wrong place in England, huh? I hope he doesn’t improve Manchester United that much.
“He, Fred, Antony, there are a lot of Brazilians going to the wrong place in the country”
Credit: Getty
Ronaldo on Solskjaer
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo believes the club was wrong to sack former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the legend deserving “more time”.
Ronaldo told Morgan on TalkTV: “I love Solskjaer. I think he was a top person. Because what I keep inside my heart is the heart of the person, and for me Ole is a top person.
“Coach? Of course, he didn’t look for what he wants. It’s hard to assume after Sir Alex Ferguson, but I think he did a good job for sure and he needed more time.
“But I have no doubts that he will be a good coach in the future. But it was a good experience. I was so pleased to work for him, even though it was a short period”
Ronaldo would struggle in MLS
Manchester United great Paul Parker claims Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be able to join a Champions League side and would struggle in the MLS – therefore his next destination will be a “PR move”.
Parker MyBettingSites: “Honestly, I think Ronaldo would struggle in the MLS because it’s a very physical league and the players over there are fit and agile. I don’t think the Americans would like to hear that MLS is the next destination for finished players.
“Ronaldo will never get the option to get into a Champions League side. No teams in Europe want him and no manager with respect for himself would take him into the team.”
Parker added: “He doesn’t even have the level to play for Sporting Lisbon and his next destination will probably be a PR-move.
“He knows that he can strengthen his brand by moving to the US and the clubs over there might see this as a good PR opportunity, even though I think he would struggle football wise”
Premier League risks
Premier League players are seriously at risk from the ravages of the first Winter World Cup, writes SunSport’s Martin Lipton from Doha.
The English top flight is the most-represented League in Qatar, with 134 players selected for the esteemed competition.
PFA chiefs have major concerns over the impact of the Boxing Day restart on both those attending the World Cup and the players who are not involved.
Players’ bosses believe there is a significant likelihood of both groups of players succumbing to injury as a result of the return to full-bore action just a week after the tournament ends.
And those concerns have been backed up by a major study by the international players’ union Fifpro, which featured the workloads of England captain Harry Kane and his Tottenham team-mate Heung-min Son to explain their fears.
The survey found that Kane has played a whopping 84 games for club and country since July 2021, adding up to 7494 minutes on the pitch
Given on Ronaldo
Shay Given agrees with Gary Neville as he also believes there’s no way back for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
Given told Football Betting: “I don’t see how there’s a way back for Ronaldo now if I’m honest.
“What he said about the manager and even the hierarchy upstairs.
“I don’t know how it’s going to end because of his contract but they need to come up with a solution and find the best way to end it for all of them.
“I think he’s kicked his last ball for Man United”
Credit: EPA
Ronaldo statement shocked Man City
Manchester City were shocked to hear Cristiano Ronaldo claim he came ‘close’ to moving to the Etihad in the summer of 2021, writes SunSport’s Martin Blackburn.
Pep Guardiola’s side briefly explored a move for the Portuguese legend after their move for Harry Kane fell through.
However the champions felt Ronaldo’s account of events – in his explosive interview with SunSport’s Piers Morgan this week – was not reflective of what really happened.
He claimed Sir Alex Ferguson talked him down from joining the blue half of town and turned him back towards the reds during a dramatic week in August 2021.
While City are not denying they showed an interest but the suggestion they pushed hard to sign the star forward from Juventus raised a few eyebrows.
It was unlikely they would have made a formal offer even if their neighbours had not made an eleventh hour move for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
In the end, Guardiola decided to go with the players he had and keep their powder dry for a move for Erling Haaland, whom they signed this past summer
Brown on Ronaldo
Former Manchester United ace Wes Brown is “disappointed” with Cristiano Ronaldo and insists he shouldn’t have done that interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan.
Brown told Fair Betting Sites: “I’ve not seen the whole interview yet, I’ve just seen some snippets but honestly I’m just shocked that it’s got to this point.
“It’s one of those situations where it’s become more and more obvious that he wants to leave the club. Personally I think you should go about it in a different way but Ronaldo will feel a certain way and has decided that this is the course of action he wants to take.
“I’m a bit gutted about the whole situation but until I’ve seen the whole thing it’s hard to say too much else on it. But I am disappointed with how it’s played out because he’s been a great person and great professional up until now.
“Ultimately when there’s stuff to be said like this that you do it behind closed doors and with the right people. This hasn’t been done that way.
“Ronaldo is a mega star and he felt he had to do it this way but it’s something I certainly wouldn’t have done and probably most others wouldn’t have either. I’m pretty sure that this is the way wanted he wanted it to go.
“They’re off to Qatar now and he won’t be back at United until mid December but then it’s up to the club and the player because they’ll have to talk about it at some point. The timing of the interview probably makes that not possible for a while. We’ll hear more in the next couple of weeks but clearly the result of the timing is that everyone’s not at the club for the next six weeks or so”
Neville on Man Utd reaction
Gary Neville claims Manchester United have no other option but to let Cristiano Ronaldo go.
Neville told Sky Sports: “I’m wondering what Man Utd are doing because the reality of it is they know they have to terminate Cristiano’s contract or they basically open up a precedent so any player can criticise them in the future.
“I agree with some of the things Cristiano has said and many Man Utd fans will agree with many things Cristiano has said but the reality is if you’re an employee within a business and say those things your employment has to terminate and Man Utd have to do that in the next few days.
“Cristiano probably wants that as well but it didn’t need to end like that. They could have come together a couple of weeks ago and navigated a pathway through what could have potentially been choppy seas to the shore but it’s not happened, they’ve both basically backed themselves into a corner”
More from Neville
Manchester United great Gary Neville insists Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Old Trafford will come to an end.
Neville told Sky Sports: “No, and l don’t think he wants a way back.
“He wouldn’t have done this interview if he wanted a way back.
“He knew it would bring the headlines it has and be the end of his Manchester United career”
Credit: PA
Neville on Ronaldo
Manchester United shared another major statement regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United.
Ronaldo slammed Neville during his bombshell interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan.
CR7 didn’t take kindly to the Sky Sports pundit’s previous criticism after the Portugal captain walked out of Old Trafford against Tottenham.
Now Neville claims “there is no way back” for the star forward at United
Marcus Rashford’s comeback
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford had probably given up hope last summer of being in Qatar as his miserable last season came to a close, writes SunSport’s Neil Custis.
Indeed it was questionable whether he should be playing for United never mind England.
Rashford was used as a sub nearly as many times as he started games in the league – 12 to 13.
The forward’s form and confidence was shot and there were even thoughts in his camp as to whether a move abroad was needed to revive his career.
Fast forward and just over four months of the Erik Ten Hag reign has revived the 25-year-old and got him back in England boss Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Rashford said: “He’s had a big impact, with a lot of changes. It takes some time to adapt for him and the players as well. But so far, it’s been good. We’re enjoying working under him and we’re just looking forward to what the future holds”
Ronaldo’s three amigos
Manchester Untied superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has named three team-mates who he believes are giving 100 per cent, and those are Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
Ronaldo told SunSport columnist Piers Morgan: “In Manchester United I can mention Dalot, he’s young, but very professional.
“But I don’t doubt that he’s going to have longevity in football because he’s young, he’s smart, intelligent and he’s very professional.
“Probably Martinez, Casemiro is in his 30s, but I will say Dalot”
Ronaldo’s brilliant comparison
Manchester Untied superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has brilliantly compared himself to a strawberry that people want to bite as his row with Wayne Rooney rumbles on.
During his explosive interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan, Ronaldo dropped bombshell after bombshell.
But in a more light-hearted exchange while discussing criticism he has received from former team-mates, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner compared himself to a fruit.
Ronaldo said: “[It’s] not only because I play good football. The rest is relevant. You have to be charismatic, people have to feel some connection with you. I think to be good looking helps too.
“I think I’m charismatic. I’m a fruit that people want to bite… let’s say a strawberry”
Credit: Reuters
Gary Neville’s revenge
Manchester Untied legend Gary Neville sent out a cheeky “world exclusive” tweet last night in a pop at former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The war of words between the pair has escalated in recent days as Ronaldo took aim at Neville.
The United superstar accused him of using his name to get attention and “take advantage” of his fame.
The Sky Sports pundit took a fresh swipe back at the Portugal captain on Wednesday night as he tweeted out “world exclusive” to his followers, minutes before the interview was set to air.
Neville tweeted: “Tune in to a ‘World Exclusive’ at 8pm tonight.
“Salford City v Peterborough in the FACUP on ITV 4 channel 120”
More on Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s bombshell interview has caused immense reaction from Manchester United.
United manager Erik ten Hag is in talks with co-chairman Joel Glazer, chief executive, Richard Arnold and football director, John Murtough on how the club should respond.
The Times claim some people at the club are sad at how the situation is playing out with Ronaldo, who is still highly regarded by many.
But the majority of players at Carrington don’t expect him to rejoin the squad after the 2022 World Cup
Winterburn on Maguire
Manchester United ace Harry Maguire will play for England despite his Old Trafford struggles, claims Nigel Winterburn.
Winterburn told FreeSuperTips: “I wouldn’t think he’s very happy at the moment not playing, I don’t know any player who would be.
“If you want a move away you have to weigh up how long you have left on your contract, do you believe in yourself to force your way back into the team, do you fit into the managers plans and it doesn’t seem that way at the moment.
“I wonder if it’s solely down to form or the way that the manager wants to play. ou’ve got to make sure that your own form is right, and Maguire is going through a hugely difficult period.
“It’s difficult to then go and play for England when you’re under the spotlight for Manchester United. coming into this World Cup every single performance is going to be judged because he’s going to play.
“I don’t see any way that he doesn’t play for Gareth Southgate, but everything he does is going to be analysed. Southgate has put himself under huge pressure with certain comments on why certain players haven’t gone and others have.
“The thing that we get at the end of it all, Southgate trusts certain players and Harry Maguire is clearly one of those players”
England feel the burn
Manchester United stars are training with the rest of the England squad under sweltering heat in Qatar ahead of their World Cup opener.
Gareth Southgate’s side felt the burn – literally – during today’s training session.
The Three Lions arrived in the Middle Eastern nation yesterday.
And they are set to take on Iran in their first game of the tournament
That was Ron
Most Manchester United stars believe Cristiano Ronaldo should NOT play for the club again after his bombshell interview.
United players don’t see any way back for Ronaldo after his comments, according to The Times.
It’s reported the majority of them believe the Portugal captain should never play for Red Devils again.
They aren’t believed to be expecting him to return to the squad after the 2022 World Cup
Credit: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo to play for first time since bombshell interview
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal side are in action for the first time since his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
The forward has been heavily critical of Manchester United and it made for awkward viewing when linking up with teammate Bruno Fernandes on international duty.
However, he did praise Diogo Dalot and the pair have been pictured together since.
And now the trio will be in action for Portugal ahead of the World Cup, facing Nigeria tonight in one final warm-up game.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville criticism is hard to take
Speaking to Piers Morgan in part one of his 90 minute interview, Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on criticism by his former teammates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.
The Portugal star admitted that it is hard to hear people that he has shared the dressing room with discuss him in the media.
Launching an attack on the pair, he said: “It’s easy to criticise, I don’t know if they have a job in television that they must criticise to be more famous. I really don’t understand it.
“I think they take advantage of [my name] because they are not stupid. I have to carry on my life with criticism.
“It’s hard when you see people who were in the dressing room with you criticise in that way. I’m not going to sleep badly because of the criticism but it’s not good to listen to that.”
Part two of the interview airs tonight on TalkTV.
Good morning Man Utd fans
Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked English football fans for giving him support following the death of his baby son.
Speaking in his interview with Piers Morgan, the Manchester United star said: “I never, ever expect that. Never. I have the opportunity now to say, all the English community, thank you a lot for that, [it] kind of helped me.
“I received a letter from The Queen’s family as well … And, it surprised me a lot… This is why I say, I respect the English community, English people, because they’ve been very kind to me.
“And in that difficult moment of my life… [the support] was spectacular.
“The way they treated me, me and my family in that difficult moment, I should say straight to the camera thank you, ‘Thank you, to the all English community that helped me in that moment’.”
Meanwhile, Ronaldo also hit back at Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville for their criticism over recent weeks.
On Rooney, he said: “I care about the people who like me. I don’t waste time on the people who don’t like me, they are not interested in my life. I like to be surrounded by the people who love me, I don’t waste time on people who criticise me.
“I don’t understand, you should ask him [Rooney]. It was only one year ago, six months ago he had his kids here and he invited Cristiano to play football. “I really don’t understand people like that. Or if they want to be in a cover of the paper of the news, or they want new jobs or whatever.
“Probably because he finished his career in his thirties and I’m still playing at a high level, I’m not going to say I’m looking better but it’s true.”
And on Neville, he then added: “People can have their own opinions but they don’t really know what’s going on in the training ground or in my life, they shouldn’t just listen to one point of view but mine as well.
“They are not my friends, they are colleagues, we play together, we’re never going for dinner for example. As part of my journey they criticise me but I continue my trip.”
Rabiot hints at Premier League move
Juventus star Adrien Rabiot confirms he is weighing up his options amid interest from Manchester United.
The midfielder was linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer.
And the Frenchman has revealed he was subject to interest from the Premier League but decided to stay in Turin.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Rabiot said: “It’s true, there were contacts in the Premier League. But in the end, it was perhaps fortunate that I stayed, perhaps the best decision.
“The Premier League remains the most followed league, but I don’t think about the future. I stay focused on the World Cup.
“The club and I are in no hurry. There is serenity and we will have time to weigh up every possibility.”
Ronaldo “happy” to break Messi shirt sales record
Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he was delighted to beat Lionel Messi’s tally of Paris Saint-Germain shirt sales when he returned to Manchester United.
The first segment of the forward’s extraordinary TalkTV interview with The Sun’s Piers Morgan aired this evening.
During the programme, Piers brought up Ronaldo’s remarkable popularity when it comes to shirt sales.
He said: “Two things happened within 24 hours of you re-signing for United.
“One – you broke the all-time record for shirt sales in 24 hours… you actually beat a guy called Messi, you must have been happy about that?”
Ronaldo laughed and replied: “Of course I am happy [laughs]. As you know, I do not follow the records, the records follow me. Another one in my book.”
Ronaldo names three Man Utd players giving 100 per cent
Cristiano Ronaldo has named three players that he believes are giving 100 per cent at Manchester United.
He said: “In Manchester United I can mention Dalot, he’s young, but very professional but I don’t doubt that he’s going to have longevity in football because he’s young, he’s smart, intelligent and he’s very professional.
“Probably [Lisandro] Martinez, Casemiro is in his 30s, but I will say Dalot.”
Garnacho to still make Argentina squad?
Manchester United fans have all said the same thing as Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni hinted additional changes may be made to his squad.
Alejandro Garnacho has been hailed as the Red Devils’ saviour in recent weeks.
The 18-year-old scored a stoppage-time winner in the 2-1 victory over Fulham last weekend.
And now fans of the Old Trafford club think that he should get a look in on the world stage in Qatar.
Scaloni revealed: “There’s a possibility that our 26-man list for the World Cup could change. Let’s see.
“There are players who are not 100% well. We want to be cautious. We want to see their evolution.”
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