Newcastle United have “zero interest” in signing Portugal and former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo

Premier League rivals Newcastle United are not interested in signing Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo after his departure from Manchester United, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Luke Edwards on Twitter (h/t Manchester Evening News).

The Red Devils parted ways with the 37-year-old following his interview with Piers Morgan. In the conversation, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner took aim at the club and stated that he had no respect for Erik ten Hag.

Consequently, the Old Trafford side took the decision to prematurely end the former Juventus star’s second stint in Manchester. However, the Magpies are eyeing him as a free agent.

#nufc have zero interest in signing Cristiano Ronaldo as a free agent. Great player but his best days are behind him and his giant sized ego wouldn’t fit into the dressing room culture nurtured by Eddie Howe. #MUFC #Ronaldo

— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) November 22, 2022

Eddie Howe’s team are currently flying high in the current campaign. With the takeover of the Tyneside club by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, they have garnered considerable monetary influence, which was evident in the recent transfer window.

And with the addition they made to the English manager’s squad in the summer of 2022, the former AFC Bournemouth gaffer has done exceptionally well.

Newcastle are third in the Premier League table, seven points behind table-toppers Arsenal. Only two points separate the Toons and last season’s top-flight champions Manchester City at the moment.

On the other hand, while Man United have been quality under Ten Hag as well, there are still some chinks in our armour. And with Ronaldo’s departure, the striker issue only becomes more prominent.

The Red Devils are evidently shorthanded when it comes to the centre-forward position. With the five-time Ballon d’Or winner leaving, Anthony Martial is the only natural number nine in the squad. And the French star has had issues with injuries in the current campaign.

More Manchester United News

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• Manchester United to save £16million as Cristiano Ronaldo leaves without a pay-off
• Gabriel Agbonlahor tells critics of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire to apologise after England vs Iran

Ronaldo leaving the Manchester-based club was a likely outcome after his statements. However, it remains to be seen where the Portuguese lands and who the Old Trafford side will replace him with in January.