Ronaldo leaving Manchester United; what you should know

• Ronaldo left Manchester United on agreed terms with the club
• The club, in a statement, thanked the Portuguese player for his time at Old Trafford
• The club saved quite an amount on the mutually agreed exit

Following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan a week ago, Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United on agreed terms with the club.

On Tuesday night, United released a 67-word statement declaring they had mutually decided to end the 37-year-old forward’s contract. The club, in a statement, thanked the Portuguese player for his time at Old Trafford and wish him well in his future endeavours.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” part of the statement read. It added, “The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.

“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”

Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo by ESPN

Ronaldo corroborated the club’s stand on mutually agreeing to terminate his contract early in his own statement. He said that he adores Manchester United and the supporters, and that won’t ever change. Nevertheless, leaving the club was the best decision he could make now and he is looking at a fresh challenge.  The immediate former United player wished the team nothing but success for the rest of the year and beyond.

WHAT LED CRISTIANO RONALDO TO LEAVE MANCHESTER UNITED

This is the aftermath of his hard-hitting interview with Morgan, where he took a swipe at Manchester United Erik ten Hag. He said that there is no respect between them which made it hard for him at the club.

The Portugal international said Ten Hag doesn’t respect him, and he can’t respect a football manager who doesn’t respect him.

“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,” said the Old Trafford player.

Last month, when Manchester United defeated Tottenham 2-0, the team’s striker refused to come off the bench, prompting Ten Hag to be fine and force Ronaldo to practise alone.

In the end, Ronaldo expressed regret and resumed playing for the first team the following week, but he is still angry at Ten Hag. He was benched, and the manager said this decision came from top ranks in the club who cited that United is bigger than a single player.

In the 13 years since he originally departed Old Trafford, Ronaldo criticised the team for not making enough investments. However, sources at the club said the United had made investments in its facilities, particularly the training facility, café, and swimming pool. The Portuguese superstar criticised Ten Hag, but sources stated that the club and the manager showed Ronaldo respect.

But some of the criticisms Ronaldo expressed during the interview were rejected by United.

ESPN later stated that Ten Hag advised Manchester United management that Cristiano Ronaldo should not play for the club again following his most recent transgression.

Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo/Sporting News

HOW DOES LEAVING MANCHESTER UNITED AFFECT CRISTIANO RONALDO

It is understood that the termination did not include a settlement fee. United are saving roughly £16 million. This is according to Sky Sports News senior correspondent Melissa Reddy.

Further, Sky Sports News head correspondent Kaveh Solhekol says that there is a sense of relief at Manchester United. The club feels that the problem has finally been resolved.

In addition, the general feeling is that the team will be in a stronger position in the second half of the season with Ronaldo gone. United wanted Ronaldo’s departure to be handled “cleanly and fast” and with the utmost dignity to lessen disruption at Old Trafford and respect Portugal during the World Cup.

The summer brought a Saudi Arabian offer, which United would have taken, but Ronaldo was unwilling to accept it. During the last transfer window, the player received no additional legitimate bids.

Ronaldo revealed in an interview with Morgan that a Saudi Arabian club had offered him a two-year deal worth €350 million (£305 million). He stated that prominent European teams were also interested in him despite the fact that no bids were made for him during the summer transfer window.