If Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't think that his reputation at Manchester United has been tarnished, he best think again.
Despite a wealth of success in a red shirt over a total of seven-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, there's no love lost between the two parties - and on Wednesday it showed. Ahead of their Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Burnley, in which they ran out 2-0 winners, United wrote in their matchday programme an 81-word goodbye message to the 37-year-old megastar who mutually agreed to tear up his £480,000-a-week contract last month.
Following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan - in which he most notably took aim at manager Erik ten Hag and owners the Glazer family - the Red Devils wished him a sobering goodbye, proving the powers-that-be were far from pleased with Ronaldo's bridge-burning behaviour.
"Cristiano Ronaldo left the club by mutual agreement last month," the message began. "The Portuguese superstar scored 145 goals across two spells and 436 appearances and helped us win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
"Ronaldo was also crowned Ballon d'Or winner in 2008. In a statement on November 22, the club put on record its gratitude for Cristiano's immense contribution and wished him and his family well for the future."
A full month on from his departure, United's words in their programme were still warmer than how Ten Hag first responded to the now free agent forward's exit. "He's gone and it's the past," the Red Devils boss, who Ronaldo brutally claimed he didn't have "respect" for, told MUTV. "We are now looking forward and we're looking to the future."
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And indeed United are looking forward, as Ten Hag has his sights set on immediately replacing the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon hero during the upcoming January transfer window. Recently asked by the Athletic whether he and United's recruitment team were searching for a new forward, the Dutchman replied: "Yes, but only when we find the right player.
"We will do everything in our power. We are doing research at every opportunity and we will do everything we can (to sign them) if that opportunity is there."
The most likely candidate to replace Ronaldo in PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo. Ten Hag is believed to be a big fan of the 23-year-old Netherlands international, who scored three goals in five games at the World Cup, and already has 13 goals and 17 assists at club level this season.
Probed on Gakpo's potential arrival, the Red Devils manager added: "I cannot give comments on specific players. I will never do that. Players have contracts and I respect that but be sure we are working in the background to get the right players in."
