United are furious with Ronaldo following his extensive interview with Piers Morgan this week in which the 37-year-old hit out at Erik ten Hag, the Glazer family and the attitude of the club’s younger players.
Ronaldo was suspended by United last month after his refusal to come on as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford, but was allowed to return to the squad by Ten Hag.
However, this week’s interview with TalkTV has now effectively ended Ronaldo’s second stint at United as the club are taking steps to cancel his contract.
According to MailOnline, United’s lawyers believe Ronaldo’s actions are enough to consider it a breach of his contract, which is worth in excess of £500,000 a week and still has seven months left to run.
Should United successfully terminate Ronaldo’s deal without paying compensation, it would save the club in the region of £16 million.
Meanwhile, The Guardian report that Ronaldo has already been told by United to not return to the club’s training ground after the end of Portugal’s World Cup campaign in Qatar.
It’s understood that Ten Hag has made it clear to United’s hierarchy that Ronaldo should never play for the club again.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, is currently with Portugal’s national team ahead of the start of their World Cup campaign in Qatar, which begins against Ghana next Thursday. Portugal will also play Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
After the second part of Ronaldo’s extensive interview was broadcast on Thursday evening, United issued a statement on Friday which read: ‘Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo ’s recent media interview.
‘We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.’
Speaking about his relationship with Ten Hag, Ronaldo said: ‘I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.
‘If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.’
Ronaldo also accused United of failing to improve behind the scenes since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013 and blasted the club’s decision to appoint Ralf Rangnick as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s temporary replacement last season.
‘I don’t know what’s going on. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I have seen not evolution in the club. The progress was zero,’ Ronaldo said.
‘For example, an interesting point is how a club like Manchester United sacked Ole, they bring in a sporting director Ralf Rangnick which is something nobody understands. This guy is not even a coach.
‘A big club like Manchester United bringing in a sporting director surprised not only me but all the world.
‘Nothing changes. Not only the jacuzzi, the pool, even the gym. Even some points of technology, the kitchen, the chefs – who I appreciate, lovely people! They stop in time which surprised me a lot.
‘I thought I would see different things, technology, infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see many things I’m used to seeing when I’m 21, 22, 23. It surprised me a lot.’
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