Manchester United say they have "initiated appropriate steps" in response to Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
A fresh statement from the club read: "Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo ’s recent media interview. We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion."
The statement comes after Mirror Football reported earlier this week that United were ready to sack Ronaldo and were taking legal advice over the bombshell interview.
Footage from the interview first appeared on social media on Sunday night, with Morgan tweeting a clip in which Ronaldo revealed he felt "betrayed" by the club he rejoined last summer.
Numerous other details also emerged prior to the full interview being shown in two parts on Morgan's TV show on Wednesday and Thursday night. Before the full interview aired, United vowed to establish the "full facts" before considering its response.
A club statement earlier this week read: "Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established.
"Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans."
Ronaldo launched a dramatic attack on his employers, discussing how he felt "betrayed" by the club, criticising owners the Glazers and claiming he does not "respect" new manager Erik ten Hag.
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Ten Hag held crunch talks with United chiefs over how to deal with the Ronaldo issue. It is understood co-owner Joel Glazer will demand the final say on his future.
The Portuguese attacker, who is now in Qatar for the World Cup, was fined by the club earlier this month after refusing to come on as a substitute and storming down the tunnel before full-time against Tottenham. United's squad are ready to see the back of the 37-year-old, believing he has become a destabilising presence amid an upturn in the club's form.
Speaking on talkSPORT earlier this week, Piers Morgan revealed Ronaldo approached him to conduct the bombshell interview. The former Good Morning Britain presenter said: "Well, Cristiano asked me to do it – simple as that. I didn't ask him, he asked me.
"It was all very recent. He's been thinking about this for a while. I think it's no secret that he's felt a build-up of deep frustration about what's been happening at United over the last year. He felt it was time to speak out.
"He knows it was going to be incendiary, he knows this is going to rattle some cages, but he also feels that he should be doing this. He knows people will criticise him, but he also knows that what he’s saying is true."
