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Cristiano Ronaldo in the Manchester United jersey
Photo: IMAGO/Darren Staples / IMAGO/Sportimage
After Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational TV interview, his club Manchester United has announced consequences.
For the time being, the English record champions left open exactly what those are.
"Manchester United took appropriate action this morning in response to Ronaldo's recent media interview," the club's website said in an unusually terse statement.
"We will not comment further until this process is complete."
Accusation of "treason"
In an interview with British presenter Piers Morgan, superstar Ronaldo, who is currently in Qatar with the Portuguese national team, accused the Man United club officials and coach Erik ten Haag of "treason" and criticized the Glazer family, who own the club.
The Glazers are not interested in the club, the Portuguese complained in the interview, which was broadcast on TalkTV over two evenings.
He has no respect for coach Ten Hag because he doesn't respect him either.
After the first excerpts from the interview were published, Man United announced on Monday that they would first analyze all the facts before reacting to them.
It is not to be expected that the 37-year-old Ronaldo, who tried in vain to change in the summer, still has a future at Old Trafford.
The Guardian reports that the club has hired lawyers to sue Ronaldo for alleged breach of contract.
Missed Champions League qualification
"I don't know what will happen after the World Cup.
But like I said before, the fans will always be in my heart.
And I hope that they will stand by me even if I come back or if I don't come back," said Ronaldo.
And further: “It is difficult for me to say that I will not return to Manchester United.
Let's see what will happen.«
The five-time world footballer switched from Juventus to Manchester in 2021, but missed qualifying for the Champions League last season.
He has found three goals in 16 competitive games for United this season.
mfu/dpa
