IN AN EXTRAORDINARY INTERVIEW, CRISTIANO RONALDO DECONSTRUCTS ERIK TEN HAG AND MANCHESTER UNITED

Cristiano Ronaldo has criticized Manchester United and manager Erik ten Hag in his latest TV interview, claiming he feels "betrayed" by his former club. It has been reported that senior figures have attempted to force him out of Old Trafford. In the second straight match, Ronaldo was left out of the squad after the club announced he had an undisclosed illness, although Portugal's latest star comments will increase speculation that he has played his final match.

In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ronaldo was asked if United's hierarchy was trying to force him out of the club. Ronaldo responded: "Yes, not only the coach but also two or three others around the club." I felt defrauded. In response to a question about whether senior club executives are trying to get rid of him, the 37-year-old Portuguese star replied: "I don't care." Those who wish to know the truth should do so. The truth is that I felt betrayed and that I felt as if some people were not interested in having me here, not only this year but last year as well. In response to a request for comment, United did not respond immediately.

Throughout the season, Ronaldo has been in and out of United's starting lineup. In last month's win over Tottenham, he refused to come on as a substitute. This resulted in his exclusion from the squad for the subsequent trip to Chelsea, although he later returned to the team. Ten Hag's relationship with Ronaldo was further strained when Ronaldo said: "I don't respect him since he does not respect me. If you do not respect me, I will never respect you." Aside from Ronaldo's assertions that United had not progressed as a club since the departure of manager Alex Ferguson in 2013, he criticized the hiring of Ralf Rangnick last season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired. Ronaldo described Rangnick as "not even a coach". "The hiring of a sports director by Manchester United has surprised me and the entire world as well."

By Rashmi Goel