Yuvraj Singh
Manchester United released a blunt farewell message for the departed Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo had a bad fallout just before the FIFA World Cup 2022 was getting started, which ultimately resulted in both sides agreeing to a mutual termination of the contract with the player becoming a free agent.
With the World Cup over after Argentina lifted the club, it was back to business for Erik ten Hag and staff with their first game coming against Championship outfit Burney in the Carabao Cup.
Since this was the first game of the second half of the season, United released a farewell statement for the departed forward before the game. However, the tone and bluntness of the statement made by the club summarised their feeling towards one of the club’s most iconic players ever.
The statement according to The Sun read:
“Cristiano Ronaldo left the club by mutual agreement last month. The Portuguese superstar scored 145 goals across two spells and 436 appearances and helped us win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Ronaldo was also crowned Ballon d’Or winner in 2008. In a statement on November 22, the club put on record its gratitude for Cristiano’s immense contribution and wished him and his family well for the future.”
The 81-worded statement towards the player whose return to Manchester was met with utmost joy describes the state of the club over the past two years.
It was never the right thing to move for Ronaldo in the summer of 2021 when he had expressed his desire to leave Juventus.
It could be argued that the board deciding to go for Ronaldo was more of a knee-jerk reaction to stop the Portuguese from joining noisy neighbours Manchester City.
Although Ronaldo did exceptionally well in his first season and ended the season with 24 goals, many supporters could see an entirely different team from what achieved second place in the league the season before.
Similarly for the player, it was a disappointing return to an arena which made him a household name all over the world and set his path for the superstardom that followed.
Although Ronaldo had shown his desire to leave United in the summer mainly due to a lack of UEFA Champions League football, once the transfer did not materialise we all were aware of the issues that would occur come the 2022/23 season.
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It happened exactly how it was predicted with the Portuguese’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan turning out to be the last straw, after which both parties were left with no option but to move in separate directions.
Ronaldo will always be considered among the legends at Old Trafford. However, the manner of his exit left staff and supporters disappointed which, for the time being, has definitely tainted his legacy at the club.
The statement released by United before the Burnley game could not emphasise that more.
