Cristiano Ronaldo said in an explosive interview on Sunday that he feels "betrayed" by Manchester United and that manager Erik ten Hag and other top administrators are attempting to drive him out of the club.
Since Ten Hag took over as manager of United in May, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been a peripheral character on the pitch.
Ronaldo was chastised after refusing to come on as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham last month, but he has since returned to the team and led the Red Devils in a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend.
However, the 37-year-old was omitted from the team for United's 2-1 triumph against Fulham on Sunday, the club's last game before a six-week break for the World Cup.
“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” Ronaldo said of Ten Hag in an interview with the Piers Morgan Uncensored TV show.
“Not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed.”
When quizzed again if senior club executives were trying to oust him, Ronaldo replied: “Yes, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don’t want me here, not only this year but last year too.”
Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford from Juventus in August 2021.
His first term at United had been a successful one under Alex Ferguson's supervision, with three Premier League championships, the Champions League, and the first of his Ballon d'Or awards as the finest player in the world.
Despite scoring 24 goals in all competitions last season, United had a disastrous season, finishing sixth in the Premier League and failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Ronaldo allegedly sought to arrange a transfer before the start of this season, but no agreement could be reached with another team.
“Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed,” said Ronaldo on what he found on his return to United.
“I want the best for the club. This is why I come to Manchester United.
“But you have some things inside that don’t help (us) reach the top level as (Manchester) City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal…a club with this dimension should be top of the tree in my opinion and they are not unfortunately.”
United are fifth in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal.
AFP
