Richard Keys has launched an attack on Cristiano Ronaldo, making it clear to the Manchester United man that "his time has gone".
The Portuguese star is again in the headlines, albeit for the wrong reasons, after airing his views in a tell-all interview with Piers Morgan. Ronaldo made it known he wanted to leave Old Trafford in the summer, but was denied a move away and has since been used as a squad player by Erik ten Hag.
Starts have been few and far between with Ronaldo's season much more characterised by his actions whilst on the subs' bench. He refused to come on in a win over Tottenham, leaving the pitch before full-time and has now accused Ten Hag of "disrespect" and the club of forcing him out.
Ronaldo rejoined United last summer but, at the age of 37, has been unable to take them back to former glories and Keys has lamented the player's delusion by telling him that time is up. He wrote on his blog : "But here’s the harsh truth - your time has gone. You’re no longer what you were. Your powers have faded.
"You can’t push back time. You’re at an age now where you should accept that your role is that of cameo - come on for 30 mins every week and enjoy yourself. Turn a game for United or add a couple of goals to a solid win. That’s it. No more. No less."
Ronaldo's interview on TalkTV came as a surprise to United and their players, who have been left disappointed by his outburst. Ten Hag is, once again this season, left to pick up the broken pieces as he and the club's hierarchy deal with their wantaway forward once more.
Do Man Utd need to cut ties with Ronaldo? Tell us what you think here.
Keys claimed the forward's interview has done nothing to further his case, instead alienating himself as he laid blame at those who refuse to criticise Ronaldo amid fears they could upset the legendary figure. "I think we’ve all lost respect for you now," Keys said.
"You’ve become a pampered egotistical disgrace of a modern day footballer whose every whim is catered for by an army of simpering hangers on too scared to tell you the truth.
"Your time is done. It’s over. You’ll get the odd two - maybe three - against second rate opposition - but you won’t affect many big games anymore. Show some respect and contrition for the people that help pay your ridiculously inflated wages and stop whining."
Ronaldo will now head off to the World Cup with Portugal with United yet to respond to his outburst. There have been calls for the two parties to part company in the January transfer window and Ronaldo vocalising his frustrations will only add to those.
