Days after the bombshell interview with Piers Morgan in which he took aim at club manager Erik ten Hag as well as the club’s owners, Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will leave Manchester United, closing the book on the 37-year-old footballer’s second stint with the Stretford side.
“Following conversations with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” said Ronaldo, who departs with approximately £13.5 million left in the contractual tank.
“I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge. I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
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The football club issued its own statement regarding the matter:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement with immediate effect. The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future. Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”
This entire chapter comes in stark contrast of Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial run with Manchester United. Between 2003 to 2009, the young gun added the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, two League Cups, as well as the FIFA World Player of the Year award to his enviable career.
It’s unclear where Ronaldo land once the dust has settled. But given the nature of the allegations recently made public – ranging from the fact that senior executives lacked empathy after his newborn son died during the pre-season back in April; to the lack of care from Manchester United’s owners the Glazer family and the lack of respect from manager Ten Hag – we probably shouldn’t be expecting a third stint.
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“In the summer, Chelsea expressed interest but it is thought this was more the desire of the co-owner Todd Boehly than the then manager, Thomas Tuchel, who vetoed signing the player. It is understood Chelsea will not pursue Ronaldo now,” explains Jamie Jackson of The Guardian.
“Napoli, who had been considered another option, recently ruled out signing him in January, though as a free agent Ronaldo can join a club at any time. If an acceptable side in Europe proves impossible another option is to consider playing in Major League Soccer, the Chinese Super League, or making a lucrative move to a western Asian club.”
“Ronaldo recently claimed to have been offered a two-year contract worth €305 million last summer to play for a Saudi Arabian team.”
