‘The worst transfer in Premier League history’ – Football reacts to Ronaldo ‘betrayal’ claims

Robin Bairner

14 Nov 2022 04:34 CST
9 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive revelation that he feels “betrayed” by Manchester United has caused in an earthquake in the footballing world.

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Ronaldo has polarised opinions with an interview given to Piers Morgan and Talk TV, in which he claimed he felt “disrespected” by the club and the manager.

It is part of a feud that has been ongoing since the summer when Ronaldo did not appear when expected for pre-season training. Since then, the campaign has become a slog for the Portuguese, who netted 18 Premier League goals last season but has scored just once this time around.

MORE: Ronaldo is a terrible role model for Garnacho

The striker has become a headache for manager Erik ten Hag, and the interview appears to be the final straw in the relationship between the pair.

With Ronaldo’s future now looking likely to lie away from Man Utd, fans and pundits have been split by the player’s actions.

MORE: What is Piers Morgan’s love-in with Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ronaldo woke up and chose violence. pic.twitter.com/AKa1T1HsU4
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) November 14, 2022

’Ronaldo’s not the player he was’

Ronaldo “I don’t respect the manager”

Ronaldo under ETH: Announced he wanted to leave, refused to come on as a substitute, walked off the bench & left before the game had finished.

99% of United fans will be on the side of ETH, which shows how badly Ronaldo has handled this.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 13, 2022

When Ronaldo returned he thought he was bigger than Manchester United… no player is bigger than the club. A very sad end. He simply isn’t the player he once was and can’t except that. He’s shown once again he isn’t a team player…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 14, 2022

Ronaldo is arguably the worst transfer in PL history. Completely halted an accelerating project. Cost a great manager, & top up-&-coming coaches their jobs. That move is what Utd got wrong. Thankfully they got ETH right, meaning the setback is short-term, otherwise catastrophic.
— Tim Long 🎙 (@timlongsports) November 14, 2022

Should be pretty telling that the only 90 minutes that Ronaldo is getting these days is with Piers Morgan.
— Scutt. (@TheScottLloyd) November 14, 2022

Ronaldo refused to play and left the ground while the game was still on. In response, Ten Hag totally disrespected him by… bringing him back in to the starting XI and making him captain? 🤷🏻‍♂️ You’ve had an absolute mare Ronnie lad.
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) November 14, 2022

Erik ten Hag is the future of Manchester United not Ronaldo, back your manager.
— 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 🔰 (@CantonasCoIIar) November 14, 2022

Funny line but you’re being way too kind to Morgan. He facilitates and profits from hatred and fabrication. Hideous man. As for Ronaldo, he’s the peak example of what happens when personal branding takes priority over everything else. This is a sickening display from both parties https://t.co/GnVLdyEeCq
— JohnDykes (@JohnDykesFC) November 14, 2022

Every man & his dog knew Ronaldo should never be going back to that club so the board who let him are the ones at fault 👍🏼
— Kendall Rowan (@kendallrowanx) November 13, 2022

Credit to Ronaldo.

He's made Piers Morgan not look the biggest prick in a room.

That takes some doing.
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) November 13, 2022

If you're a @ManUtd fan and you support Ronaldo in this whole recent debacle you need need to start seriously questioning if truly you're a united fan. Ronaldo remains undoubtedly my goat and one of the greatest player EVER but his actions are inexcusable and childish.
— Sporting King (@sportingking365) November 14, 2022

’Ronaldo disrespected countless times’

Ronaldo has, unsurprisingly, been primarily defended by Piers Morgan, who conducted the explosive interview.

Manchester United are 5th in the League, 13pts off the lead, and in the Europa League KO stage play-offs. Since Sir Alex retired, they’ve stagnated & become a mediocre club. Everyone knows this. Ronaldo’s spot on with his criticisms.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 14, 2022

Manchester united is my favorite club but Ronaldo is my GOAT and it doesn't change, man has be disrespected countless of time, wtf is that😡, we are with you man, forever champ 💯 #CR7𓃵 pic.twitter.com/JkfdNTVRGC
— Forlar💎 (@Forlar06) November 14, 2022

Rooney disrespected Ferguson, the greatest manager in England.

Ronaldo disrespected Ten Haag, an upcoming coach & you want to blame him.

History should be taught in schools.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) November 14, 2022

This makes more sense now , before coming out against Cristiano Ronaldo just remember Manchester united went from top 3 clubs in the world to not winning a major trophy in last 7 years. #CR7𓃵 #ronaldointerview pic.twitter.com/oh6cYkIUQ8
— XxMaverickxX (@Sports8k) November 14, 2022

Some pundits chose to take a more moderate approach, seeing logic in some of what Ronaldo said in what they believe to be a parting shot at the club.

It amazes me how many people don't realise this is Ronaldo's Goodbye Interview. Fallout with Ten Hag, the shambles the way the club is run, his love for the fans. He knows it's over and is clearly going out on his terms. It's over
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) November 14, 2022

When you think about it, Ronaldo wasn’t wrong about calling out the Club for not developing facilities and being stagnant, he only messed up when he bashed Ten Hag and shamed Rooney’s looks. All the same him leaving is best for everyone tbh
— Trey (@UTDTrey) November 14, 2022

With the rest of the Ronaldo interview to come later in the week, fans will be eagerly awaiting further revelations over his time at Man Utd.