Manchester United will not respond to Cristiano Ronaldo’s incendiary interview with Piers Morgan until the “full facts have been established”.
Ronaldo has given an interview to the broadcaster that will be aired in full on Wednesday and Thursday this week, but some of the comments have already been previewed.
The 37-year-old accuses Erik ten Hag of trying to force him out of the club, says he has no respect for the Dutchman and claims he feels “betrayed” by the club.
Read next: All the fall-out from Ronaldo's chat with Morgan
The first comments appeared online at 10pm on Sunday night and more clips are set to follow before the full interview is aired on Piers Uncensored later in the week.
United have now released a statement saying they won’t be responding until they aware of the full content and have the facts around the interview.
“Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established,” the statement said. “Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans.”
The first clips from the interview appeared just hours after United had beaten Fulham 2-1 thanks to an injury-time goal from Alejandro Garnacho.
It also airs at the start of a five-and-a-half week break between games for United, with Ronaldo departing for the World Cup in Qatar this week.
Asked if United were trying to force him out, Ronaldo told Piers Morgan Uncensored: "Yes. Not only the coach, but two or three other guys around the club."
Asked if they were at senior executive level, Ronaldo continued: "Yes. I felt betrayed. Honestly, I shouldn't say that, I don't know. But I don't care, people should listen. I feel betrayed and I felt that some people didn't want me here, not only this year but last year too."
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