Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed there was ‘no way back’ for the wantaway Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo at the club after the bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
The Portugal international who was the subject of speculation in the summer recently granted an interview to popular TV personality Piers Morgan, in which he accused Manchester United of betraying him. He also stated that he has zero respect for boss Erik Ten Hag, who was hired as United’s boss in the summer.
Reacting to the interview, Ferdinand, who shared the same dressing room with Ronaldo during their time together at Old Trafford, admitted he cannot defend Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments in the interview.
Speaking after being called out by fellow pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who claimed the former United defender was ‘in the 1 percent’ of people who would defend Ronaldo’s actions, Ferdinand said the interview was part of the Portuguese star’s move to leave the club.
“You can’t sit here and defend that from Cristiano Ronaldo,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast.
“Deep down and I know it for a fact, this has all been manufactured for one thing – and that’s for him to leave the club.
“This love affair with Man United that Cristiano has had is over in my eyes. I don’t feel there’s any way back. I don’t feel the club will take him back and I don’t think that he wants to come back. This is all manufactured for that reason.
“Up to this interview, I would defend him, and say the club have an enormous responsibility to communicate better.”
Ferdinand, who helped Ronaldo secure his sensational return to Old Trafford last year, has refused to openly criticise the Portuguese star despite his conduct in recent months – a fact not lost on Carragher when he tweeted his reaction to the bombshell interview on Monday.
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher, who has been critical of Ronaldo since his return to Old Trafford, stated that the player granted the interview because he wants to be sacked by his club.
He also slammed his interview as ‘bang out of order’, stating that Ronaldo had got it all wrong with his sit-down with Morgan as he insisted that ‘99%’ of Man United supporters will back Ten Hag over the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Ferdinand also agreed with Carragher, stating that Ronaldo himself would be furious if another player in the dressing room had given the interview that he had.
“I played in dressing rooms with Van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Jaap Stam, four players who did less than this and never put the red shirt on again.
“When you say you don’t respect the manager, I don’t think there is any way back.
“How are the club going to allow Ronaldo to come back and undermine their current manager? They can’t.”
Ronaldo’s teammates reportedly feel disrespected by his comments and have questioned why he gave the interview.
Manchester United has also reacted to the interview by issuing a statement on Monday afternoon stating that “Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established. Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans.”
United issued a statement on Monday afternoon in their first public response to the explosive interview. ‘Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established. Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans.”
