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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Cristiano Ronaldo responds after being asked if he will leave Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that it is impossible to say what will happen in relation to his future at Manchester United, insisting that his current focus is on the World Cup and nothing else.

The 37-year-old is out-of-contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season and has plunged his future into serious doubt following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticised United and their manager Erik ten Hag. He is currently away with the Portuguese national team ahead of them starting their World Cup campaign in Qatar next week.

United, as they said in a statement released on Monday, are yet to make a decision on Ronaldo's future and will not do so until "full facts have been established". The general perception among United's supporters is that he will not play for the club again.

READ MORE: Gary Neville sends message to Cristiano Ronaldo after interview criticism

Ronaldo wanted to leave Old Trafford in the summer and his explosive interview with Morgan is likely to have moved him closer to his wish. However, he has admitted that he is unsure what will happen immediately after the World Cup.

"It's difficult to tell right now, because my mood is, right now, [focused on] the World Cup," Ronaldo told TalkTV when asked if he will be a United player come January 1. "It's probably my last World Cup, of course, my fifth World Cup.

"I don't know what's going to happen after the World Cup, but as I told you before, and I will say again, the fans will always be in my heart. And I hope they will be by my side, even if I [come] back, or if I'm not back, or if I stay or whatever.

"Nobody's perfect. Episodes in the life we all have is part of being human beings, is part of me being a human being and [being a] father as well. I always will commit mistakes.

"But I don't know, it's hard to tell right now what's going to happen after the World Cup because my focus is for the World Cup, for the Portugal national team."

Ronaldo, who has scored just three goals for United this season, still believes he can help the club, but suggested that it would be difficult with the current infrastructure in place.

Ronaldo added: "When I arrived at Manchester United, I always wanted to be available to help the team and to do the good things, to put [them] in the right spots, to compete with the best teams. But it's hard when they cut your legs and they don't like you to shine and they don't listen to your advice."

Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo on TalkTV or on YouTube at 8pm on Thursday evening. Find TalkTV on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 and Sky Glass 508, live and on demand on the TalkTV app, streaming services and at Talk.TV

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