The Portuguese forward claimed United were trying to get him away and criticized manager Erik ten Hag, while also saying the club’s owners, the Glazer family, do not care about the club. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told TalkTV he had no respect for Ten Haag, who took over at Old Trafford in the summer, and claimed many people at United were trying to pressure him to leave. In Thursday night’s second installment of the full Piers Morgan Uncensored interview, Ronaldo detailed how he felt “betrayed” as his return to United turned sour. “When I arrived at Manchester United, I’m always available to help the team do the right things, put the right positions, compete with the best teams,” Ronaldo said. “But it’s hard when your legs are cut off and they don’t like you to shine and they don’t listen to your advice. I think I have words to advise the club. I think I can help a lot, but when the infrastructure is not good…” Amid speculation over whether he would leave United in the summer, Ronaldo and other players pulled out of a pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano before full-time – something that new manager Ten Haag had described as “unacceptable”. In October, Ronaldo came on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Tottenham and later came off the bench before leaving the pitch, with Ten Haag saying the 37-year-old had refused to come on during the latter stages . Cristiano Ronaldo (right) is currently in Qatar with Portugal. Photo: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images Ronaldo did not feature in the next Premier League game against Chelsea. “I think it was a strategy from the club to react that way,” said Ronaldo, who is currently at the World Cup with Portugal. “I was very, very, very, very, very disappointed with the communication from Manchester United. To be honest, I have never had a problem with any club, with any manager. And I was suspended for three days, which I felt was a lot – and the level of sport, the clubs, I felt a lot. It was a pity.” Ronaldo, however, regretted leaving the pitch early. “It’s hard to tell you 100%, but let’s say I regret it, but in the same way I felt challenged by the coach,” he said. “I’m not allowed, a coach to put me in three minutes in a game. Sorry, I’m not that kind of player. I know what I can give to the teams.” Subscribe to Football Daily Start your evenings with the Guardian’s view of the world of football Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Former United team-mate Gary Neville was also criticized by Ronaldo during his interview. Neville said on Thursday that United would have to cancel Ronaldo’s contract in the coming days. Reflecting on his future, Ronaldo continued: “It’s hard for me to say I won’t go back to Manchester United, but whatever you say, let’s see what happens. But as I told you before, the fans for me will always be by my side, they will always be in my heart. “I see the days I go out on the streets, the love, the passion, that people have for me, the respect. I hope they never forget the things I will continue to do, not only in the past, but also in the present. “Manchester will always be on my side, the fans will always be on my side. no matter what is going to happen, and I appreciate the love they send for me all the time. “Even when I finish the game, even when they criticize me, they will always be in my heart, so thank you for all the support. I hope to see you soon and you will always be in my heart.”
