Manchester United will be holding emergency meetings deciding what to do next over Cristiano Ronaldo.
There is only one way forward. Manchester United must take decisive action.
For those who missed it, Ronaldo conducted an explosive interview with Piers Morgan via TalkTV and The Sun, blaming the club of betrayal, a lack of progress, and attempting to force him out.
He even took potshots at Ralf Rangnick and Wayne Rooney, while stating he has no respect for manager Erik ten Hag.
There really is no way back. Let’s take a quick look back at Ronaldo’s conduct over the past few months since Erik ten Hag took charge.
- Failed to report to pre-season tour
- Left Old Trafford before final pre-season match had even finished
- Refused to come off the bench vs Tottenham
- Stormed down the tunnel before full-time
- Told Ten Hag he was ‘ill’ when told he was not a starter v Villa in the cup
This is not behaviour becoming of a so-called model professional. It is petulant and unprofessional, and Erik ten Hag has done everything possible to indulge him, selecting him to start 10 games this season, even making him captain for the recent game away at Villa.
Ten Hag has seen every press conference turn into a Ronaldo-centric circus, showing plenty of patience, and the return has been minimal.
Ronaldo’s on-pitch contribution is no loss
Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a significant step back as a footballer this season. He has scored only three goals, two of which came against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.
These three goals came from 56 attempts. By comparison, Anthony Martial scored four goals from his first four shots this season.
Manchester United are poorer and less cohesive as a team when Ronaldo is playing. He has failed to strike up a successful partnership with any player, even countryman Bruno Fernandes. The two have not combined for a goal and assist for 12 months.
Fernandes’ best performances have come when Ronaldo is not involved, and it was no coincidence the team scored four goals in midweek without him, the highest goal tally in any game this season.
Ronaldo’s ability to decide games has deserted him. Letting him leave would enable the team to move on.
Ronaldo’s valid points are undermined
Ronaldo raises some valid points in the interview. The club’s lack of progress since the Sir Alex Ferguson era has been unacceptable.
The lack of investment from the Glazers behind the scenes has been shameful. If Ronaldo had turned his ire on them, specifically, he would have been lauded as a hero.
But all these valid points he may be making, are undone by his decision to torch everything else too, including manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag is setting about redressing the team’s failures and correcting course. The early signs look good. Instead of getting behind the project, Ronaldo is undermining it on a weekly basis. This cannot be afforded to continue.
Ronaldo has lost the faith of fans who were overjoyed when he returned to the club and scored twice on his second debut. Now we just can’t wait for it all to be over.
Terminate Ronaldo’s contract by mutual consent
It’s clear Ronaldo wants to leave the club. The very fact he conducted this interview was a strategic move to ensure he is closer than ever to an exit.
United don’t need Ronaldo. The club are stronger without him on the pitch, and there will be a greater sense of togetherness among the players off the pitch too.
There is no way Erik ten Hag can now take him back. If he does, United supporters will view the manager and the club as weak.
Last year, Arsenal decided to cut ties with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It was a controversial decision to terminate his contract, and one they certainly don’t regret, now sitting top of the league.
United will be stronger without Ronaldo. It is going to be hard to find a buyer, this was shown in the summer, and the situation should not even reach the January transfer window.
In addition to hitting Ronaldo with a substantial fine, United must terminate his contract by mutual consent. He does not want to be at the club, so why keep him.
His deal is up in the summer anyway, and United can simply pay him off. Let him leave, and let’s all move on, for good.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
