Cristiano Ronaldo dropped a bomb in a TV interview, when he said that he “doesn't have respect” for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and accused him of trying to force him out in the summer.
The 37-year-old, in an interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan, said he felt betrayed by the club. The full interview is set to be broadcast this week on Britain's TalkTV but advance clips were released late on Sunday - just hours after United's final game before the World Cup against Fulham, which they won 2-1.
Ronaldo has been in and out of United's starting lineup this season and refused to come on as a substitute in last month's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in October. That led to him being banished from the squad for the subsequent trip to Chelsea, although he then returned to the fold.
He missed United's last two games because of an undisclosed illness.
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When asked on the programme 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' whether United's hierarchy was trying to force him out of the club, Ronaldo said: Yes, not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed.
When asked again if senior club executives were trying to oust him, the Portugal star said: “I don't care. People should listen to the truth.
“Yes, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don't want me here, not only this year, but last year too.”
Ronaldo was left out of the squad for the second match in a row after the club said he had an undisclosed illness, although the Portugal's star latest comments will increase speculation that he has played his final game for the club.
United are yet to comment on the matter.
Ronaldo inflamed the relationship with Ten Hag even further by saying: “I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never going have respect for you.”
Ronaldo also claimed United had not progressed as a club since the departure of manager Alex Ferguson in 2013, and criticised the hiring of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager last season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired.
“This guy is not even a coach," Ronaldo said of Rangnick.
"A bigger club like Manchester United brings (a) sports director surprised not only me but all the world, you know.”
(With PTI inputs)
