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“He is entitled to air his grievance”- Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo finds an ally in Liverpool legend

Graeme Souness blames Erik ten Hag for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag oversaw the Cristiano Ronaldo saga pretty well at Manchester United. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Graeme Souness blames Erik ten Hag for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga at Manchester United

Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has blamed Erik ten Hag for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga at Manchester United. The former player and manager suggests the Dutch manager may not have kept his word, which has prompted the outburst from the Portuguese star.

The 37-year-old sat down with Piers Morgan in an interview and took aim at the club and Ten Hag. Consequently, the Red Devils are set to fine him two weeks’ wages. And it remains to be seen what action the club takes after the entire exchange is broadcasted.

However, speaking on talkSPORT (h/t Metro), Souness stated that he still defended Ronaldo. Instead, the ex-midfielder feels the Portuguese has every right to express his grievances.

Graeme Souness blames Erik ten Hag for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga at Manchester United.
Graeme Souness blames Erik ten Hag for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga at Manchester United. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“I certainly do. I come back to it, there’s a meeting, two people speak, two people leave the room with an understanding and someone has not kept their word.

“I think he has been told a story and the manager has not kept it. Looking at it from both sides, I’ve been a player, I’ve been a manager, I think the player has a grievance and he is entitled to air his grievance.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made his way back to United last year. He had left the club in 2009 and had successful stints at Real Madrid and Juventus. And the 37-year-old’s return to Manchester was met with a lot of fanfare.

In the previous campaign, Ronaldo lived up to the billing. He found the back of the net on a consistent basis and ended the 2021/22 season as our top goalscorer in all competitions.

Unfortunately, the 37-year-old has struggled to find form under Ten Hag. He has found himself relegated to a substitute role under the Dutch manager.

Graeme Souness blames Erik ten Hag for the Cristiano Ronaldo saga at Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo could have handled his issues better at Manchester United. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

The Portuguese star also seems to be missing his shooting boots in the current campaign. In 16 appearances in all competitions, the forward has found the back of the net three times and given two assists.

Ten Hag has given Ronaldo regular minutes in the side in recent weeks. However, he has cut a frustrating figure on the pitch and has been unable to have an impact.

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Any issues the Portuguese star had should have been hashed out with the club behind closed doors. What the 37-year-old has done by airing unacceptable statements is counterproductive. And the only thing that makes sense now is for him to leave United.

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