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“It was quite clear”- Erik ten Hag breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at the Al Shahaniya SC training site in Doha on December 8, 2022, in the build-up to the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter final football match between Portugal and Morocco
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag believes Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave Manchester United after interview with Piers Morgan

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave the club after his infamous interview with Piers Morgan.

In his conversation with the British broadcaster, the 37-year-old criticised the Red Devils and said he had “nos respect” for the Dutch manager. Consequently, the Old Trafford side terminated the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract by mutual consent.

Speaking to the media during a luncheon via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag revealed the United hierarchy were in agreement about parting ways with Ronaldo. The gaffer feels the 37-year-old understood there would be repercussions.

Erik ten Hag believes Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave Manchester United after his interview with Piers Morgan.
Erik ten Hag believes Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave Manchester United after his interview with Piers Morgan. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)

“I think it was quite clear after [the interview] that he had to leave. I think we didn’t have to discuss it. It was quite clear. Richard [Arnold], John [Murtough], me.

“The interview I think, as a club, you can’t accept. There will be consequences. To make that step he knew the consequences.”

The Portuguese icon rejoined the Red Devils in the summer of 2021 from Juventus. He had left the Old Trafford side after his first spell in 2009 and joined Real Madrid.

Over the years, Ronaldo has won every major trophy in the game several times. His most successful period came in Spain with Los Blancos.

However, it was at United that Sir Alex Ferguson moulded the 37-year-old into one of the best players in the world. The Portuguese won his first Ballon d’Or playing at the Theatre of Dreams.

https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1601314186554138624?s=20&t=Ftx5iFvXu6iwFWHMG7_zng

Unfortunately, on his return to Manchester, United were not the powerhouse they used to be. While Ronaldo did well in terms of his numbers last season, overall, the team were underwhelming. We failed to challenge for titles and missed out on a top-four spot.

At the end of the previous campaign, Ten Hag was appointed in the Old Trafford side’s dugout. With the arrival of the Dutch manager, the 37-year-old saw his influence in the team dwindle. When the Portuguese was given the opportunities, he cut a frustrating figure more often than not.

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The Dutch manager had brought Ronaldo back into the fold after he stormed off down the tunnel before the full-time whistle against Tottenham Hotspur. However, there was evidently no coming back after the comments he made in the interview.

Written by Aheed Abrar

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