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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Cristiano Ronaldo transfer 'suspicion' throws spanner in the works for Man Utd chiefs

Old Trafford officials fear Cristiano Ronaldo will demand he is paid the remaining six months of his Manchester United contract even if it is terminated this winter.

Club chiefs are weighing up how to respond to Ronaldo's incendiary interview with Piers Morgan, which was teased on Sunday and airs on in full across Wednesday and Thursday. The superstar striker, 37, declared there is a total lack of respect between him and Erik ten Hag and that he felt betrayed by the Red Devils.

United are waiting until "the full facts have been established" to decide how they will reprimand Ronaldo. The hierarchy have already spoken to their lawyers as there could be grounds to sack the five-time Ballon d'Or winner if his disciplinary breach is serious enough.

In what would be a slightly less drastic outcome, the Daily Telegraph claims United are open to striking an agreement which would see Ronaldo walk away before his contract expires in June next year. They have no intention of paying the remaining months on his £560,000-per-week deal as part of this bargain, but there are suspicions the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward will demand a pay-off, which would leave player and club at loggerheads.

The report notes there is relief at United that their next fixture - a friendly against Cadiz on 7 December - is some weeks away, giving them time to work out a response. The mood behind the scenes is that Ronaldo should not pull on a Red Devils shirt again, despite his legendary status.

United would have no problem letting Ronaldo walk away for free despite paying nearly £20million to sensationally re-sign him from Juve in August 2021. The former Sporting Lisbon prodigy remains determined to play Champions League football but one of Europe's elite sides moving for him at this twilight stage of his career appears unlikely.

Manchester United fear Cristiano Ronaldo will demand a huge pay-off (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Is there any way back for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United? Have your say in the comments...

Instead, slashing his salary to seal an emotional return to Sporting or exploring a lucrative move to Major League Soccer are more likely outcomes. Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was interested in the marquee signing of Ronaldo in the summer, shortly after completing his takeover, and it remains to be seen whether he could come calling again.

While United were willing to let Ronaldo depart in the last transfer window, Ten Hag wanted time to sign a replacement centre-forward. But the player's explosive interview with Morgan means it has become a case of moving the player on as quickly as possible, before off-pitch incidents involving one of the most recognisable figures in the world derail an exciting youthful attack and promising first season under Ten Hag.

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