Manchester United are potentially considering the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo's contract at Old Trafford following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who is currently away with the Portugal squad gearing up for the start of the World Cup, has thrown his United future into serious doubt after hitting out at the club and manager Erik ten Hag during his extensive 90-minute chat with the former Good Morning Britain presenter. United have confirmed that they have 'initiated appropriate steps' and it is understood that they are considering legal action which could result in the sacking of the 37-year-old.
Ronaldo wanted to leave Old Trafford during the summer transfer window and was denied an exit on several occasions, with United regularly reiterating that he was part of new Ten Hag's plans. After missing pre-season as a result of challenging personal circumstances, Ronaldo was back in United's starting line-up as soon as the second game of the season, starting the 4-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo explains why he refused to come on vs Tottenham
However, that was one of just four Premier League starts that he has made for United this season. He is not Ten Hag's first-choice striker, such is the way that the Dutchman wants the Reds to play, and he has regularly been overlooked.
Although there is no denying Ronaldo's history and his formidable record in front of goal during his career, he has simply not justified a regular starting berth this season, highlighted by his tally of three goals. United have not been as fluid or instinctive when he has played this term, forging many opinions that they play better without him.
Although Ten Hag has regularly defended and supported Ronaldo in public since arriving at Old Trafford, he has not been afraid to withstand criticism for not starting him. The Dutchman is a strong disciplinarian and demands exceptional standards to be set by his players, almost all of whom have bought into the culture change he has delivered this season.
One of the key positives of United sounding out Ten Hag to become their new manager earlier this year was that they knew he would install a new vision and focus on togetherness. He had played a key role in putting Ajax back on the map during his tenure in Amsterdam, in relation to both on and off-the-pitch matters.
His work in the Netherlands - why United picked him to succeed Ralf Rangnick - earned a lot of plaudits, both in his homeland and across Europe. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was among his biggest admirers, waxing lyrical about the 52-year-old while he was still in charge of Ajax, pointing to how he had a big role to play in the overall development and leadership of the club.
"Erik is rightly regarded as one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football at the moment because of the work he does with Ajax," said Klopp, speaking back in December 2020. "Of course, it is a wonderful club – one of the stellar names of European football – but in this moment it is clear they have outstanding leadership of the organisation and Erik is a big part of that."
Although Ten Hag is still getting to grips with life at Old Trafford and adapting to English football as a whole, he has certainly shown several signs of leadership and being prepared to make key decisions. For example, back in the summer transfer window, Ten Hag overruled the recruitment department's preference to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres to strengthen the Reds centre-back options, instead winning the club's support to go after Lisandro Martinez instead.
Ten Hag wasted little time in ensuring that he would be allowed to make the decisions that would benefit both him and the club moving forwards. Therefore, Ronaldo's bombshell interview with Morgan, which saw him heavily criticise the Dutchman, is likely to present another opportunity for Ten Hag to have his say on a massive decision that needs to be made.
Ten Hag is likely to be consulted on the situation and it is possible that he could say that he does not want the striker to be part of his squad anymore. If that proves the case, and United do terminate Ronaldo's contract, it will show that Ten Hag has been given a say in the leadership and direction of the club.
United have been longing for a manager who has not pandered to player power and now they have one. Ten Hag can make an example of Ronaldo and use it as a warning to his other players that he is not to be underestimated.
READ NEXT:
