Former Sunderland defender Wes Brown believes has expressed his disappointment in Cristiano Ronaldo after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan. The Manchester United talisman has caused quite the sir with his comments in the media, relating to the Red Devils' decline, feeling forced out of the club and his comments on former team-mates.
Speaking to Fair Betting Sites, Brown said: "I've not seen the whole interview yet, I've just seen some snippets but honestly I'm just shocked that it's got to this point. It's one of those situations where it's become more and more obvious that he wants to leave the club.
"Personally I think you should go about it in a different way but Ronaldo will feel a certain way and has decided that this is the course of action he wants to take. I'm a bit gutted about the whole situation but until I've seen the whole thing it's hard to say too much else on it.
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"But I am disappointed with how it's played out because he's been a great person and great professional up until now. Ultimately when there's stuff to be said like this, you do it behind closed doors and with the right people. This hasn't been done that way.
"Ronaldo is a mega star and he felt he had to do it this way but it's something I certainly wouldn't have done and probably most others wouldn't have either. I'm pretty sure that this is the way wanted he wanted it to go.
"They're off to Qatar now and he won't be back at United until mid December but then it's up to the club and the player because they'll have to talk about it at some point.
"The timing of the interview probably makes that not possible for a while. We'll hear more in the next couple of weeks but clearly the result of the timing is that everyone's not at the club for the next six weeks or so."
Brown believes Ten Hag will get on with managing the club, with or without Ronaldo but admits this might change the dynamic further. The former Sunderland defender said: "He'll just deal with it because he's got a squad of players that he'll be more focused on.
"This is obviously a situation that's not needed at any time but Ten Hag will just get on with what he's got now, with or without Ronaldo. I think Ronaldo would've left Manchester United in the summer anyway but that might change now whereby he leaves a bit earlier.
"There'll be lots of contractual scenarios that need sorting out but ultimately it's down to the club and Ronaldo to handle that and for Ten Hag to focus on the team."
However, Brown was in agreement with Ronaldo than the club has struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure. He added: "I think since the manager's gone (Fergie) you can see that Manchester United have struggled.
"Yes they've won bits here and there under other managers but that consistency has not been there for a while now. The new manager has come in now and I think he's done a really good job.
"I think some of the signings are really good and you can see some real progress. I can understand that the past is the past but to reach the heights of those times again is going to take a long time."
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