The club has announced that Cristiano Ronaldo has departed Manchester United with immediate effect.
A statement issued on Tuesday evening indicated that the club and the player have mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
United said, “Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United by mutual consent, effective immediately.”
“The club appreciates him for his enormous contribution over two stints at Old Trafford, during which he scored 145 goals in 346 games, and wishes him and his family all the best for the future.
Everyone at Manchester United is committed to maintaining the team’s development under Erik ten Hag and achieving success on the field.
Following the news, Ronaldo made a statement stating that he still loved the club and the supporters.
Following discussions with Manchester United, we’ve mutually decided to terminate our contract early. I adore Manchester United and its followers, and that will never change. Nonetheless, I believe it is time for me to pursue a new challenge.
I wish the squad continued success for the rest of the season and into the future.
Ronaldo stated he felt “betrayed” by the club and had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag in an interview with TalkTV, which aired in two parts on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.
Ronaldo’s key quotes – a snapshot of his full interview
- ‘I feel betrayed by Man Utd | I have no respect for Erik ten Hag’
- ‘Man Utd doubted me over my sick daughter when I missed pre-season’
- ‘Glazer family don’t care about Man Utd | United have stopped on a clock’
- ‘Man City move was close but Sir Alex Ferguson changed everything’
- ‘Youngsters don’t care but Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez are different’
- ‘Roy Keane is the best captain I ever had but Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney are not my friends’
- ‘I never saw Ralf Rangnick as the boss | Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did a good job’
- ‘I regret leaving Old Trafford vs Tottenham – I felt provoked’
- ‘I turned down €350m Saudi move | I don’t know if I’ll still be at Man Utd after World Cup’
- ‘I would be happy if Arsenal win the Premier League’
- ‘Lionel Messi is magic | I want to play until I’m 40’
The Portugal captain, who is now serving his nation at the World Cup, reportedly claimed United hierarchy members were attempting to push him out of Old Trafford and questioned him when he told his daughter was hospitalized and he could not attend preseason.
United said that they will evaluate their reaction to Ronaldo’s remarks “when the entire facts are confirmed”; nonetheless, the club has already opted to break ways with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
It is believed that there was no settlement money associated with the termination. According to Sky Sports News senior correspondent Melissa Reddy, there was no settlement, therefore United saved roughly £16 million.
According to Kaveh Solhekol, the head correspondent for Sky Sports News, there is a sense of satisfaction inside the club that the matter has been resolved and a belief that the squad will be in a better position in the second half of the season.
What’s next? I have had several offers…
During his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo stated that a Saudi Arabian club had offered him a two-year deal for €350m (£305m). However, he stated that prominent European clubs were also interested in him, despite the fact that no bids were made for him during the summer transfer season.
Ronaldo said, “I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t have a large number of teams to choose from, but I have had several offers from other clubs.” “What the press keeps reporting, which is pure nonsense, is that nobody wants me, which is untrue.”
So, what are Ronaldo’s choices, given that he plans on playing until he’s 40?
Europe, Saudi Arabia, MLS?
Kaveh Solhekol, chief correspondent for Sky Sports News:
“How many teams would offer him £500,000 per week? Someone who is 37 years old is considered by many to be aging rapidly. Obviously, he is not as good as he once was.
“As a free agent, I believe he will be more appealing to European teams in the Champions League. Whoever wants to sign him does not need to negotiate with Manchester United, and there is no transfer price involved. You just meet with (agent) Jorge Mendes and negotiate a contract. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of him transferring to a European team in the Champions League, despite the fact that he will want a hefty transfer price.
“If he’s after money, Saudi Arabia is the obvious answer. We are aware that he received a substantial offer to move in the summer, so I believe he will have prospects there. In addition, I would not dismiss MLS. There will be teams interested in signing him as their headline player.
“However, I do not believe he will join the MLS. I believe it is more probable that he will find a team in the Champions League and achieve his goal.
“Paris Saint-Germain was mentioned as a potential destination for Ronaldo, but they have zero interest in signing him now that he is a free agent.”
How would Ronaldo begin?
Melissa Reddy, senior correspondent for Sky Sports News:
“Which elite club would consistently start Ronaldo? Which club will guarantee him a spot in the starting lineup? We saw in the summer that the only offer he had was from Saudi Arabia; United were willing to take it, but he refused to go.
“If he does really well in the World Cup as a free agent, people will forget his disruptive behavior, and he may be traded, but I cannot predict where or to whom.
“Perhaps the answer is for Ronaldo to acknowledge that he is one of the best players of all time, but he is 37 years old, and teams with Champions League aspirations will not funnel everything through him. He cannot be the protagonist.”
