Although he is still one of the best players of his generation, the team is starting to think about hanging up his boots.
What happens to Cristiano Ronaldo’s career at Manchester United after the World Cup?
It’s hard to see Ronaldo staying.
He was banned from playing for United’s first team after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month.
In a scathing interview earlier this week, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he had been “betrayed” by the Old Trafford club, and said he had no respect for coach Erik ten Hag.
“Owners of the club, [the] Glazers… they don’t care – I mean technically, playfully. they don’t care,” said Ronaldo in an interview. “I haven’t talked to them, no.”
The Premier League giants did not respond directly, but a statement on Monday said the club would “consider their response once it is clear”.
A few days after the Tottenham game, Hag ten told the press: “I have to take decisions in favor of the team and the team in particular, that’s my job… it doesn’t matter who it is, age or history.”
I would love it if Cristiano Ronaldo just invited the club world with the Glazers.
You have not publicly lied to Erik ten Hag and you still expect Man Utd fans to support you by saying, “I love the fans, they are always on my side.”
I am sad. I am 100% on my manager’s side ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8cU1Hxx8vp
– UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) November 14, 2022
So what?
“Manchester United knew when they brought him in they had a desire to do well,” former Brighton player Glenn Murray told BBC radio. “This was happening all the time. He was not going to do well in his death.”
Although he is still one of the best players of his generation, that generation is starting to think about hanging up his boots.
He was the first player to earn a billion dollars from football and is currently on a contract reportedly worth around 500,000 pounds ($593,000) a week at Manchester United.
Few clubs have pockets this deep. And few would be interested in paying that much for a player who has made just four Premier League starts so far, scoring just once.
Not a player known for his modesty, will Ronaldo end his playing days in the minor leagues? A big offer was made to United by the Saudi Arabian team in the summer.
Or will he call it a game and focus on his other fundraising projects, such as his new NFT offering, which is set to launch on November 18?
Any agreement will be dependent on funding.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “In my opinion it will be difficult for Man United to be at the top of the game in the next two or three years”. 🚨 #MUFC
“I want the best for this team, the fans deserve the truth. You have things within the team that are not helping Man Utd to reach the top level”. pic.twitter.com/Xs4MJqRr2t
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 15, 2022
United clearly do not want any disloyalty to disrupt the dressing room and the unity of the whole team, to get his relief; Ronaldo’s limited legacy at United will make it easier for Old Trafford bosses to get rid of their former player.
But does he want to release him so much that he can continue to pay his wages at a smaller club?
A successful return to Real Madrid could be on the cards. PSG could get him again, and playing him alongside teammate Lionel Messi would be a powerful marketing shot – but neither man is getting any younger.
It is unlikely that we will understand the future of CR7 until after the World Cup.
His scathing criticism of Manchester United will not affect Portugal’s bid for the World Cup in Qatar, according to teammate Joao Mario.
But his bombshell interview only deepens the inevitability of what is already known: Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United is over.
