Cristiano Ronaldo is going to dominate the back pages of the newspapers until January. The Portuguese superstar looks set to leave Manchester United after a critical interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo, who wanted to leave Old Trafford last summer but was not able to, has endured a difficult season so far under new manager Erik ten Hag. He has been left out of squads and left on the bench out of "respect" in some games, while in others he has refused to come on to the pitch from the bench and has even reportedly left the stadium before his teammates.
In his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo criticised everyone from the players, to the manager, to the owners of the club. He said he had "no respect" for ten Hag and it looks as though his time at Manchester United is over.
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea transfer: Graham Potter verdict, Man Utd response, contract latest
Ronaldo stated: "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 to have respect for you."
Now it will be a case of who wants to take a chance on the 38-year-old. Plenty of clubs have been linked with a move, with his former club Sporting CP a likely destination. Chelsea have also been linked, given that new owner Todd Boehly met with his agent Jorge Mendes in the summer and were tipped to sign him, until Thomas Tuchel said no.
With Tuchel now sacked, the Blues could rekindle their interest in January, although Graham Potter will now have to sanction a move.
United legend Gary Neville believes a transfer will become easier after the interview, because United have no choice but to terminate his contract. Speaking to Sky Sports he said: "Cristiano has come out and said what he's said and criticised the young players, Erik ten Hag, the owners, the board and if you do that in any business, there's no employment going to be there for you in the future.
"So I'm wondering what Manchester United are doing at this moment in time because the reality is they know they have to terminate Cristiano's contract or they open up a precedent that any player can come in and criticise them in the future.
"The reality is if you're an employee in a business and you say those things, your employment has to terminate."
READ NEXT:
Timo Werner heartbreak, Marcos Alonso surprise and Chelsea vindicated over contract termination
Chelsea get Stamford Bridge development update delivered as Earl's Court company confirm plans
Christopher Nkunku sends injury message as £50m Chelsea transfer target Ivan Toney gets FA charge
Full list of Chelsea transfer targets going to Qatar 2022 World Cup amid Boehly scouting mission
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
