Cristiano Ronaldo has dramatically attacked Manchester United and Erik ten Hag in a bombshell interview that has all but ended his Red Devils career.
It is hard to see a way back for Ronaldo after a clip of the explosive discussion he held with Piers Morgan was published late on Sunday evening. The full interview will not be released until midweek, but the preview is a damning indictment of how the relationship between Ronaldo and United has fallen apart.
Ten Hag, Wayne Rooney and Ralf Rangnick were all targets of Ronaldo's anger during the 90-minute interview, which the attacker has given just before he flies out to the World Cup. Here, Mirror Football looks at five of the biggest bombshell revelations.
Club forcing him out
Arguably the biggest revelation Ronaldo delivered is that he feels that he is being forced out of United by senior club executives. The attacker has seen his game-time diminish this season, with other options being preferred by Ten Hag.
And Ronaldo now feels that there are forces at Old Trafford who are attempting to make him move on. He also admitted to feeling "betrayed" by his treatment as he insisted he was speaking the truth.
"Honestly, I shouldn't say that... don't know... But listen I don't care, I'm always... People should listen to the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed and I feel that some people don't want me here, not only this year but last year, too," he said.
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Broken relationship with Ten Hag
With Ten Hag clearly having decided that Ronaldo's days as a regular starter for United are over, it would appear their relationship is broken. In his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo launched an extraordinary attack on the Dutchman.
Ten Hag took over in the summer after a successful period in charge of Eredivisie giants Ajax. But Ronaldo has now claimed that he has "no respect" for the United boss following his treatment this season.
"I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you," Ronaldo added.
Falling out with Rooney
After he refused to come on as a substitute during the win over Tottenham, many pundits lined up to criticise Ronaldo. That included former team-mate Wayne Rooney, who called Ronaldo's behaviour an "unwanted distraction".
While the duo were close during their successful time together playing for the Red Devils, it appears they have now fallen out. Rooney was one of the people Ronaldo attacked in his interview with Morgan, taking aim at the Englishman for having retired.
"I don't know why he criticises me so badly. Probably because he finished his career and I'm still playing at high level. I'm not going to say that I'm looking better than him. Which is true," he fumed.
Ferguson's feelings
While many will criticise Ronaldo for delivering his bombshell interview, the United star did hint he may have one crucial backer in Sir Alex Ferguson. The legendary Scot was Ronaldo's manager for six years during his first spell at United.
And Ronaldo has hinted that Ferguson agrees with him about the downward direction of the Red Devils. He also branded anyone who does not think there are problems throughout the club as being "blind".
"He knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be. He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don't see that… it's because they don't want to see; they are blind," he said.
Rangnick reign slammed
Ronaldo's first season back at United was a disaster, with the Red Devils missing out on the top four and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting sacked. Ralf Rangnick took over as interim boss halfway through the campaign but was unable to inspire a turnaround in fortunes.
It now appears that the German may have been getting undermined in the dressing room, mainly from Ronaldo. The attacker revealed in his interview with Morgan that he had little respect for Rangnick.
“If you’re not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I’d never even heard of him," Ronaldo said.
