Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly left a number of senior officials at Manchester United furious with a couple of outlandish allegations in his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
The Portuguese forward took aim at the Red Devils in his one-to-one chat with the former Britain’s Got Talent host having endured a torrid campaign at Old Trafford this term. After submitting a bombshell transfer request in the summer, he failed to earn a move and has since scored just three goals having fallen down the pecking order under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Since those claims have surfaced, United have released a statement in response. It 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."
Despite that relatively calm statement, it appears that those behind the scenes at Old Trafford have been left furious by the Portuguese's incendiary claims.
According to ESPN, senior officials at the club are not happy by Ronaldo’s suggestion that he was being forced out of Old Trafford. He said: "Honestly, I shouldn't say that... don't know... But listen I don't care, I'm always... People should listen to the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed and I feel that some people don't want me here, not only this year but last year, too,"
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However, it is now claimed that the Red Devils were made aware that the striker’s representative’s - Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency - were actively looking for suitors who could facilitate a move away from the club. Ronaldo himself submitted a request to quit United in the summer only a year after his emotional reunion having returned from Juventus.
Whilst claims were made over his future, the veteran striker also took aim at Man Utd’s Carrington Training Base by suggesting that there had been no development since his first spell at the club.
“The progress was zero,” he said. “Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed.”
That has also left senior management at Old Trafford stewing. As per ESPN, the pool, canteen and recovery areas at the Red Devils’ training ground have all seen significant investment over the past few years, whilst Ten Hag has also had his say.
The Dutchman had his specific request of a state-of-the-art analysis and meeting room granted at Carrington, something that cost the club approximately £200k to build.
