English giants Manchester United have responded for the second time to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, insisting that they will take appropriate steps to deal with the matter.
Part 2 of the full interview was aired on Thursday evening.
CRISTIANO RONALDO INTERVIEW
The 37-year-old has accused his employers of betrayal and took swipe at head coach Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo claims Ten Hag has not shown him any respect since he arrived at the club during the off-season. The Interview has seriously jeopardised his future at United.
“You don’t put me on against Manchester City because of respect for my career and you want to put me on for three minutes against Tottenham?,” asked Ronaldo during the Interview.
“The coach didn’t have respect for me. So this is why the relationship is the way it is. He keeps saying in the press that he came to me and he likes me blah (all those things). But that it’s only for the press, 100%.
“If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never going to have respect for you,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
MANCHESTER UNITED NOT IMPRESSED
In a short statement on Friday, the club said they had initiated appropriate steps in response to the interview.
“Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent media interview.
“We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.”
According to the Athletic, United are exploring the possibility of terminating his contract.
The club is also said to be considering taking legal action against the Portugal captain for breach of contract. This would result in his deal at the club being cancelled.
This means the club might terminate his £500,000-a-week contract without paying a cent of the £16million he would have earned until it expired in June.