Manchester United has announced that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club immediately after a mutual agreement between both parties.
The story between Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United was impactful when the 5-time Ballon D’or winner returned to the club where he saw his career bloom into a great one.
The return of Cristiano Ronaldo sent a sense of excitement among the Manchester United family, bringing hope back to the fans and the club after the English Club had gone more than four seasons without a trophy, with the club losing the Europa League trophy to Villareal the previous season.
Ronaldo’s first season at Manchester United following his return to United was a good one for him after he hit the back of the net 18 times for the club but the club once again could not win a trophy and further missed the Champions League to play in the Europa League.
His second season after the return began on a rough road after there were rumours that Ten Haag, who had become Manchester United’s new coach did not have the Portuguese in his plans.
Ronaldo has so far had a difficult second season as he is unable to play to the level his known for, having scored just 3 goals in all competitions. There have been also moments when Ronaldo was left on the bench in games; and in the best moments given playing time in the final minutes of the game and also times when he walked off the pitch before the game ended.
This became an issue when recently, Ronaldo in an interview with Piers Morgan hit hard at the club, the coach and former coaches who were there when he arrived for his second stint with the club.
In the interview, he pointed out how nothing has changed at the club since he left for the first time and revealed how he felt betrayed by Manchester United and how he had no respect for Manchester United coach, Eric Ten Hag and among other issues saying, “I don’t have respect for Erik ten Hag because he doesn’t show respect for me”
The interview struck the football world and the hierarchy of Manchester United who on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, released a statement revealing that Ronaldo is to leave the club with immediate effect following an agreement between both parties although it is unclear whether the Portuguese will receive any compensations for the remaining 7 months of his £500,00 a week contract at Old Trafford.
The 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.”
Ronaldo plays his first world cup against Ghana on Thursday.
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Story by: Kelvin Okai Twum | univers.ug.edu.gh
