Manchester United’s players don’t want Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the team, following his explosive interview criticising the club and boss Erik ten Hag.
United’s players do not expect to see Ronaldo again after the World Cup, with the squad having grown tired of his whining and posturing over his perceived mistreatment, according to sources.
The United hierarchy, comprising owner Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and Ten Hag have been locked in talks over how to deal with Ronaldo in the wake of his interview, in which he claimed the club “betrayed” him.
United have also sought legal advice about how best to resolve the issue, with Ronaldo having accused club bosses of trying to force him out and declaring he has “no respect” for boss Ten Hag.
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After taking such a hardline stance on Ronaldo when he refused to come on against Tottenham and left Old Trafford before the final whistle in United’s 2-0 win, Ten Hag has told bosses there is no way the 37-year-old can play for him again.
The majority of United’s squad share the same view as their manager, believing there is no way back for the Portugal international, given his trashing of Ten Hag and claims there were attempts to force him out against his will.
After refusing to come off the bench against Spurs, Ronaldo was left out of United’s squad for their Premier League trip to Chelsea last month as punishment, with Ten Hag claiming he had to take action against such petulance to maintain discipline within his squad.
Many of United’s players, including Ronaldo’s Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes, claimed discipline had been allowed to slide under previous bosses and welcomed the tough stance taken by Ten Hag following his appointment last summer.
Although Ronaldo took to Instagram to offer a semi-apology for refusing to come on against Spurs, blaming it on “the heat of the moment”, his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan has ended any hope of him being welcomed back into the United fold.
United issued a response in the wake of Ronaldo’s interview, stating the club “will consider its response after the full facts have been established” and insisting their focus was on preparing for the second half of the season, once the World Cup is over.
