Manchester United has parted ways with Christiano Ronaldo. In an information made available by Manchester United’s Communications Department on Tuesday 22 November 2022, the Club noted that Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United have parted ways by mutual agreement.

The parting, which is with immediate effect, was occasioned by some statements made by Ronaldo during an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

In Ronaldo’s interview with Piers, he berated the club, Ralf Rangnick, the Club’s immediate past German handler, and the current coach, Eric ten Hag, noting that he had no respect for the gaffer. Ronaldo also lamented the state of the club’s stadium, other facilities, and the Glazers, the club’s owners among others.

Since the interview, opinions among pundits, fans, and former players of the club have coalesced around the termination of Ronaldo’s contract, as many viewed his statements as dangerous for the club.

Ronaldo, in turn, has remained vocal since his arrival at Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, where he is representing his country, Portugal.

When queried on the timing of his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo told journalists in Qatar that “Timing is always timing. From your side it is easy to look at how we can choose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don’t have to worry what others think. I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in.”

At the news conference at the Al Shahaniya Sports Club, Ronaldo pleaded with the press: “Please, don’t ask players about me, ask about the World Cup.”

As Nigeria in Depth discovered, Ronaldo’s utterances in the interview with Piers Morgan breached his contracts with the club. As noted in Ronaldo’s contract, players are prohibited from granting interviews with the media or writing in the newspapers without the knowledge of the club. As our investigators found, Ronaldo did not inform the club prior to granting the interview.

In yet another clause, the club mandated that players should raise any issue with the Club’s Manager, as a first line in the commanding chain. If the matter cannot be resolved, the player must then submit the matter to the Club Secretary.

There is no evidence, that Ronaldo lodged any complaint with Eric ten Hag or that he informed the Club Secretary of his angst with the team before his interview.

In the section entitled Gross Misconduct on Ronaldo’s contract, these acts are qualified as gross misconduct and the Club reserves the right to either meet with the player or meet without such player to determine punishment.

It must also be added that not showing up for matches and training, refusing to play when called upon as well as leaving club training and/or games before the official ending of the game or training also fell under Gross Misconduct.

In line with the terms of his contract, the Club gave Ronaldo seven days to reply in writing, why punitive measures should not be taken against him.

As of November 22, 2022, United and Ronaldo mutually agreed to terminate his contract, bringing to a close a saga that have since overshadowed Ronaldo’s participation at the World Cup.

Manchester United thanked Ronaldo “for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future”.

Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.

Source and photo credit: https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-official-statement-on-cristiano-ronaldo-22-november-2022