Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, currently in Qatar for the World Cup, will leave Manchester United "by mutual agreement, with immediate effect", announced Tuesday, November 22, the English club in a press release.
Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 22, 2022
"The club thanks him for his immense contribution during his two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family a bright future," added Manchester United on the departure of the 37-year-old Portuguese star, who recently strongly criticized his coach and his leaders in an interview with the TalkTV channel.
"Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team's progress under Erik ten Hag's leadership and working together to achieve success on the pitch," concludes the club.
"I feel betrayed"
In an interview with English presenter Piers Morgan on TalkTV, broadcast in several parts in mid-November, the Portuguese star said of his coach Erik ten Hag: "I don't have any respect for him because he doesn't show no respect for me."
"Not just the coach, but two or three other guys around the club. I feel betrayed," added the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
He also lashed out at Manchester United owners - the Glazer family - who 'don't care' about their team's sporting success, and also slammed his former teammates Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, who had criticized him: " They're not my friends."
After a successful first stint (2003-2009) with three Premier League titles and a Champions League won under Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Red Devils in the summer of 2021.
But the non-qualification of his team in the Champions League at the end of the 2021-2022 season, then his reduced playing time in recent months, have complicated his second spell in Manchester.
CR7's recent scathing remarks against his club precipitated the divorce.
Last Friday, Manchester United announced that it had "triggered appropriate measures" in response to attacks by its star player.
The Portuguese star had assured his side that his open conflict with his club "would not shake" his selection during the World Cup-2022, which she begins Thursday against Ghana.
With AFP
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