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Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United by mutual consent following explosive interview with Piers Morgan

Man Utd issued a statement on Tuesday announcing they had reached a mutual agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo to terminate his contract; Ronaldo said: "I love Man Utd and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge"

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Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol explains what went wrong for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United by mutual consent following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

United issued a 67-word statement on Tuesday evening announcing they had reached a mutual agreement with the 37-year-old forward to terminate his contract.

In the interview on TalkTV - aired in two parts on Wednesday and Thursday last week - Ronaldo said he felt "betrayed" by the club and has "no respect" for manager Erik ten Hag.

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 currently representing his country at the World Cup, also claimed members of the United hierarchy were trying to force him out of Old Trafford and doubted him when he said he could not attend pre-season because his daughter was ill in hospital.

United said they would consider their response to Ronaldo's comments "after the full facts have been established" and have now decided to part ways with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

It is understood a settlement fee was not part of the termination. "I'm told there wasn't a payout so United are saving about £16m," said Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy.

According to Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, there is a sense of relief at the club that the issue has been finally sorted and a feeling the team will be in a stronger position in the second half of the season.

Also See:

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Our pick of Ronaldo's high and low moments during his second spell at Manchester United

How Man Utd and Ronaldo announced their split

A club statement read: "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."

Issuing his own statement, Ronaldo said: "Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early.

"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."

Glazers open to selling Man Utd

Manchester United could be sold by the Glazer family after a statement was issued saying the board were "exploring strategic alternatives".

The Glazers bought United in 2005 in a £790m leveraged buyout and had been unpopular with fans even before last year's moves to join a breakaway European Super League.

A statement from the club said: "Manchester United plc announces today that the company's board of directors is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club.

"The process is designed to enhance the club's future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalize on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.

"As part of this process, the board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company."

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Sky News' Mark Kleinman explains why the Glazers are exploring financial options that could include an outright sale of Manchester United

Man Utd make Ronaldo's exit 'clean and quick'

United wanted Ronaldo's exit done "cleanly and quickly" and in as dignified a way as possible - not only to minimise distraction at Old Trafford but also to show respect to Portugal during the World Cup.

Sky Sports News also learned last week United did not accept some of the criticisms Ronaldo made in the interview.

Ronaldo criticised the club for a lack of investment in the 13 years since he first left Old Trafford. Sources have insisted United have invested in their facilities - notably the training ground, restaurant and swimming pool.

The Portuguese superstar was also critical of Ten Hag but sources insisted Ronaldo was treated with respect by the club and the manager.

It has been confirmed to Sky Sports News there was an offer from Saudi Arabia in the summer, which United would have accepted, but Ronaldo did not want to make the move. There were no other official offers for the player in the last transfer window.

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Watch Ronaldo's 18 Premier League goals for Manchester United during the 2021/22 season

Where next? 'I've had many offers...'

During his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo confirmed he had been offered a two-year contract worth €350m (£305m) from a Saudi Arabian club. However, he insisted he also had interest from top European sides, despite no offers being made for him in the summer transfer window.

"I will be honest with you, I didn't have many, many clubs but I have many, many offers of the other clubs," said Ronaldo. "What the press keep saying, the garbage, is that nobody wants me, which is completely wrong."

So what are the options for Ronaldo, who insists he wants to play until he is 40?

Europe, Saudi Arabia, MLS?

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Kaveh Solhekol and Melissa Reddy analyse Ronaldo's dramatic exit from Manchester United and discuss his potential next move

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

"How many clubs out there are willing to pay him £500,000 per week? Somebody who is 37 years old, somebody who a lot of people would say is fading. Of course, he's not as good as he used to be.

"I think he will be more attractive to European clubs in the Champions League because he's a free agent. Anybody who wants to give him a contract doesn't have to deal with Manchester United and there's no transfer fee involved. You just sit down with (agent) Jorge Mendes and you sort out a deal. Obviously, he's going to want a big signing-on fee as well, but I wouldn't discount him moving to a European club, one in the Champions League.

"If he's chasing money, of course, you have to say Saudi Arabia. We know he had a big offer to go in the summer, so I think he's going to have opportunities there. Also, I wouldn't discount MLS. There are going to be clubs there who want to sign him as their marquee signing.

"But I don't think he's going to go to MLS. I think it's more likely he'll find a club in the Champions League and get what he wants.

"Paris Saint-Germain had been suggested as a possible destination, but they have absolutely no interest in signing Ronaldo even though he is now a free agent."

Where would Ronaldo start?

Cristiano Ronaldo has openly criticised Manchester United and manager Erik ten Hag
Image: Ronaldo has started just four games in the Premier League this season

Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

"Which top club would start Ronaldo every single game? At which club will he be guaranteed a place in the first XI? We saw in the summer that the only offer that came in for him was from Saudi Arabia - United were prepared to accept that and he didn't want to go.

"As a free agent if he puts in a really solid performance at the World Cup, people will forget his disruptive behaviour and he might get a move, but I can't see where and to who.

"Perhaps the solution is for Ronaldo to accept he is one of the greatest players we have ever seen - but he is 37, and progressive clubs - clubs that do have ambitions of winning the Champions League aren't going to funnel everything through him. He can't be the main man."

Mitten: Man Utd fans will wish Ronaldo well

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United We Stand editor Andy Mitten says Ronaldo's departure is the right decision for all parties

United We Stand editor Andy Mitten to Sky Sports News:

"It's the sensible thing. After that interview last week this is the right decision. The club didn't want to hang around, they wanted to come to an agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo's people.

"He didn't want to be at Manchester United. He wanted to leave the club, that's been true for four or five months now and he'll get his wish and both parties will move on.

"History will still remember Cristiano Ronaldo well as a Manchester United player, probably the best player I have ever seen play for Manchester United in his first spell at Old Trafford - and he was a success last season.

"This season has not been a success and it's been frustrating watching him and seeing his decline in real time. But he feels that he can still contribute a lot as a footballer, that's just not going to be at Manchester United.

"I think most Manchester United fans will wish him well so long as he's not at Liverpool or Manchester City."

Neville: Ronaldo knew interview would end his Man Utd career

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Watch the full interview with Gary Neville who said last week there was no way back for Ronaldo at Manchester United

On Friday, Sky Sports' Gary Neville said there was "no way back" for Ronaldo at Manchester United following his interview.

"He wouldn't have done this interview if he wanted a way back. He knew it would bring the headlines it has and be the end of his Manchester United career," said Neville.

"[Man Utd] know they have to terminate Cristiano's contract or they basically open up a precedent so any player can criticise them in the future."

Asked for his thoughts and whether he was against Ronaldo, who criticised his former team-mate in the interview, Neville replied: "It's not true, what he said, but all's fair in love and war.

"I live in the game of criticism and know I have to accept it, and I get plenty of it back. I love all my team-mates I played with, including Cristiano.

"I'm not against Ronaldo - far from it. I couldn't have any more admiration for him, I couldn't have any more respect for him. He's the greatest player I've ever seen and he's the most talented player I ever played with."

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Ronaldo is adamant his controversial interview with Piers Morgan will not affect Portugal at the World Cup

Ronaldo on damaged relationship with Ten Hag - and stats that support the manager

"I understand that in a new job [you try to make an impression.] Manchester was so bad in the last five years that they should clean the house, let's say it in that way," said Ronaldo.

"But the way they approach, the way the press make this so big. I really understand in the beginning because I didn't do the pre-season, I don't start to play, but going more further than that.

"Other things happen that people, they don't know. And I'm not hiding that the empathy with the coach is not good. I'm honest."

One of Ronaldo's standout quotes about Ten Hag from his interview was: "I don't have respect for him because he doesn't have respect for me."

Cristiano Ronaldo says he does not respect manager Erik ten Hag.
Image: Ronaldo said he does not respect Ten Hag

That was a big change of stance after he gave an interview to United in June saying he was happy at the club and urged for Ten Hag to have time at Old Trafford following his arrival from Ajax.

Were Ronaldo's new jabs at Ten Hag simply in reference to his lack of starts in the Premier League this season?

It's not clear because, after all, this is a player who was given the captain's armband soon after walking out of the team's win over Tottenham before full-time. When United were thrashed at Manchester City, Ten Hag said he did not sub Ronaldo on "out of respect for his big career".

United felt they bent over backwards to accommodate Ronaldo and Ten Hag always insisted he was an important part of his plans.

What United did not do was indulge Ronaldo and guarantee him a starting spot. He was their top scorer last season but with Ten Hag now in charge the stats backed up the Dutchman's use of Ronaldo.

When Ronaldo did not start in the Premier League this season, United's win rate trebled, their points return doubled, their scoring rate quadrupled and the team ran, on average, 4km more per game.

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An abrupt end after a fairytale start

Ronaldo's departure signals an abrupt end to a career at United that was revived amid much fanfare in August last year.

He had looked set to join rivals Manchester City from Juventus but a late intervention from United took him back to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo first joined United from Sporting Lisbon as a teenager in 2003. He won three Premier League titles and the Champions League before going on to even greater success with Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his second goal
Image: Ronaldo scored twice on his Manchester United return in a 4-1 win over Newcastle in the Premier League last season

After nine years at the Bernabeu and a further three at Juve, he returned to United as a five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

He scored 18 goals in the Premier League last season but United struggled, finishing sixth in a campaign in which they were managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick.

He made a slow start to the current campaign under new boss Ten Hag after missing their pre-season tour, starting just four Premier League games. There were further controversies as he left the ground early during a friendly and refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.

Ronaldo leaves United for what is surely the final time having scored a total of 145 goals in 346 appearances.

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