Sep 23: Cristiano Ronaldo converted two goals as Al Nassr defeated Al Ahli by 4-3 in a battle of two powerhouse teams in the Saudi Pro League on Friday night (Saturday, Manila time) at the Al Awal Park of King Saud Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo's first goal i
NOV 14: Ronaldo promised in August he would give his version of life at Old Trafford after failing to secure a move away from United to a club playing in the Champions League, as he had hoped.
The veteran Portuguese has now broken his silence in a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV.
Manchester United have been asked for a response to Ronaldo's claims.
United, who beat Fulham 2-1 on Sunday, are fifth in the Premier League in manager Ten Hag's first season in charge.
When asked if United's hierarchy were trying to force him out of the club, Ronaldo said: "Yes, not only the coach [Erik ten Hag], but another two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed."
When quizzed again if senior club executives were trying to oust him, the 37-year-old said: "I don't care. People should listen to the truth.
"Yes, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don't want me here, not only this year but last year too."
Ronaldo says he has no 'respect' for Ten Hag
Ronaldo has not played because of an unspecified illness since he captained United in their 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on 6 November.
He was dropped for the Premier League game at Chelsea last month by Ten Hag after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham three days earlier.
"I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me," Ronaldo told Morgan. "If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."
The interview will be shown over two nights on Wednesday and Thursday.
Ronaldo also talks to Morgan about the loss of his baby son in April and how touched he was by a tribute paid to him by the Liverpool fans at a game against United at Anfield in the days afterwards.
The whole interview is 90 minutes long but Morgan has written a version for the Sun newspaper in which it is clear the contempt Ronaldo has for how he has found United since he returned to the club amid huge fanfare in August 2021.
"I think the fans should know the truth," he says. "I want the best for the club. This is why I come to Manchester United.
"Since [former manager] Sir Alex [Ferguson] left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed.
"I love Manchester United, I love the fans, they're always on my side. But if they want to do it different… they have to change many, many things."
Ronaldo says his view of the club is shared by Ferguson, who was pivotal in his return to Old Trafford from Juventus when it appeared he might join Manchester City.
"He knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be," added Ronaldo.
"He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don't see that… it's because they don't want to see; they are blind."
Ronaldo had not 'heard' of Rangnick
Ronaldo's former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was United manager when the Portuguese returned to the club before he was replaced by Ralf Rangnick and then current boss Ten Hag.
On Rangnick, Ronaldo said: "If you're not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I'd never even heard of him."
Wayne Rooney has criticised former United team-mate Ronaldo's behaviour this season and the Portugal international also criticised the ex-England striker.
"I don't know why he criticises me so badly... probably because he finished his career and I'm still playing at a high level," said Ronaldo.
"I'm not going to say that I'm looking better than him. Which is true…"
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his return to Manchester United as the hosts eventually cruised to victory against Newcastle United and delighted a packed Old Trafford.
Cheered from the moment he left the team coach on its arrival at the ground, throughout the warm-up and then once the game had started, Ronaldo repaid the backing in the best possible manner.
Twelve years after he last scored for Manchester United in this stadium, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in first-half added time when he tapped in after visiting keeper Freddie Woodman spilled Mason Greenwood's shot.
Then, after Javier Manquillo had levelled with his first Newcastle goal, Ronaldo finished off a flowing move by racing on to Luke Shaw's through ball and drilling a low shot through Woodman's legs.
His international team-mate Bruno Fernandes rifled in the goal of the game as he collected Paul Pogba's square pass and curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area before substitute Jesse Lingard added a fourth in added time.
The margin of victory was harsh on Steve Bruce's men, who played well for long periods. But Newcastle's efforts were irrelevant to the ecstatic home fans, who had the added bonus of their side returning to the top of the Premier League.
BCC Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the world record for goals scored in men's international football as he hit his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in their dramatic 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland.
The 36-year-old scored two late headers - to break and extend the record - after he had a penalty saved by Gavin Bazunu.
Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006, held the record which Ronaldo equalled with a double against France at Euro 2020.
The Manchester United forward has also equalled Sergio Ramos' European record for men's caps - with his 180th Portugal appearance.
The world record - only ratified by Fifa this summer - is the 195 Malaysia caps won by Soh Chin Ann between 1969 and 1984.
Ronaldo, who rejoined United from Juventus on deadline day, and Daei are the only two male players to score 90 or more international goals.
"I'm so happy, not only because I beat the record, but for the special moment that we had," he told RTE. "Two goals at the end of the game. I have to appreciate what the team did, we believed until the end. I'm so glad."
This is the latest landmark to push the argument for the Portuguese to be considered an all-time great.
He is already the top scorer in club football's top tournament, the European Cup/Champions League, a trophy he has won five times.
The former Real Madrid forward is also the top scorer in European Championship history (14) and in Euros and World Cups combined (21).
(BBC)
