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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David McDonnell & Kieran King

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence on controversial interview as he faces Man Utd sack

Cristiano Ronaldo says he does not care what people think of him in the wake of the fall-out from his bombshell interview.

Ronaldo is set to be sacked by Manchester United after trashing the club in a n explosive interview and saying he has no respect for boss Erik ten Hag.

He also discussed why he felt "betrayed" by the club, while he criticised owners the Glazers and chatted about many other topics, including the World Cup and his exit from Old Trafford against Tottenham last month.

Ronaldo has since come under frank criticism from pundits and supporters alike for the way he conducted himself, with former Chelsea player Jason Cundy calling Ronaldo "deluded", while ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan claimed that he has let himself down.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, though, has defended his interview in the lead-up to the World Cup, though, and declared he needed to tell the truth. Ronaldo played no part in United's final two matches before the tournament due to a mixture of injury and illness, but, instead, decided to chat with journalist Morgan.

Breaking his silence on the interview, Ronaldo said on Monday: "Timing is always timing. From your side it is easy to look at how we can chose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don’t have to worry what other think. I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in."

When Ronaldo joined up with the Portugal squad last Monday, Bruno Fernandes appeared to give the forward a frosty reception in the dressing room - but the 37-year-old cleared those allegations up. He revealed that the pair were playing around as Fernandes' plane was late.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo guide Portugal to win the World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his fifth World Cup for Portugal (Getty Images)

"We were playing around last week," Ronaldo added. "His plane was late - I asked him did you come by boat. Please, don’t ask players about me - ask about the World Cup."

Ronaldo's attention has now turned firmly on the World Cup, with Portugal looking to win the tournament for the first time. Ronaldo's side face Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H, with Portugal searching to repeat the success they had at Euro 2016.

After Lionel Messi lifted the Copa America with Argentina, the infamous duo have one eye on becoming the first out of the two to win the tournament - with many predicting that could be the difference between who is judged as the better player. But Ronaldo has shrugged off that claim and admitted questions will still be raised.

"Even if I win the World Cup that will continue," he said. "Some people like me more, some less. It’s like in life, some like blondes, some like brunettes."

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