Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/80bb978f-2450-4c04-8643-bc2aaf7d7389
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United after bashing the club and its owners in an explosive interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan, ending an unhappy second spell at the club where he made his name. The Portugal forward’s mutually agreed departure would take effect immediately, the club said on Tuesday. Renowned as one of the world’s most feared strikers, Ronaldo has failed to secure a guaranteed spot in United’s starting XI this season under new manager Erik Ten Hag, who came under fire in the interview. Ronaldo’s exit comes less than a week since the interview aired in full. The player, who is on duty for Portugal at the Fifa World Cup in Qatar, made headlines by telling the world he felt “betrayed” by United.Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/80bb978f-2450-4c04-8643-bc2aaf7d7389
The criticism struck home because Ronaldo’s stardom transcends the world of sport. He is one of the most marketable athletes in the world, is the most followed person on Instagram with over 500mn followers, and has lucrative sponsorships with sportswear maker Nike and crypto group Binance. In the Morgan interview, Ronaldo said there had been “zero” progress at United since the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, the last time the club won the Premier League.He lashed out at the United’s US owners, the Glazer family, claiming they “don’t care about the club”. And he accused the club of prioritising marketing over football.Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/80bb978f-2450-4c04-8643-bc2aaf7d7389
United fans have been holding protests against the Glazers ever since the family acquired the club in a £790mn leveraged buyout in 2005. The club’s attempt to launch the breakaway European Super League with 11 other elite European clubs last year reignited resentment among segments of the fan base, a group of whom stormed United’s Old Trafford pitch in May 2021.