Man Utd tear down Ronaldo mural

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have removed a huge mural featuring Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford's exterior following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo is, of course, a Man Utd legend. He won three Premier Leagues and a Champions League in his first spell at the club and top-scored for them on his return last year, ending the campaign with 18 Premier League goals.

But things have gone south for him under Erik ten Hag, the Dutch manager relegating him to the bench for much of this season, and Ronaldo let rip in an interview with Morgan.

READ: From Man City bid to Messi: Ronaldo-Piers Morgan interview IN FULL

Ronaldo's words

"I don't have respect for [Ten Hag] because he doesn't show respect for me," Ronaldo said, before widening his lens on the club.

"The progress was zero. Since Sir Alex [Ferguson] left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed. I think the fans should know the truth.

"As Picasso said, you have to destroy it to rebuild it and if they start with me, for me, it's not a problem."

READ: 'Ronaldo's dirty laundry' poisons Portugal's World Cup

The club are seeking legal advice before making any decision on what Ronaldo has said, but in the meantime they have torn down a mural of him which also featured club legends David Beckham and Bryan Robson.

It is unclear of the mural would have been pulled down anyway as part of a general upgrade at Old Trafford - one Ronaldo has made crystal clear he thinks United need.

Ronaldo now looks to have played his final game for United, concluding his Red Devils career with 145 goals a 64 assists in 346 games across his two spells at Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old is Qatar-bound with Portugal to take part in the upcoming World Cup - and received a frosty reception from United teammate Bruno Fernandes - but remains one of the favourites to top score at the tournament.

Whether a top club takes a gamble on him in January after his incendiary interview remains to be seen.