The Cristiano Ronaldo saga rolls on and after having taken aim at countless Manchester United figures, both and present, many are firing back — Gary Neville being one of them.
The former United right-back turned Salford owner and Sky Sports pundit is one of many who the 37-year-old footballer chose to target in his incendiary interview with Piers Morgan on Sunday.
Speaking in the Uncensored exclusive, Ronaldo said of Neville and ex-strike-partner Wayne Rooney: “They don’t really know what’s going on at the training ground, they have to listen to my point of view as well. It’s easy to criticise if they don’t know the whole story.
He went on to add, “they are not my friends, they are colleagues. We played together but we’re not having dinner together”, insisting “they keep criticising me with negativity every time.
Responding to his former teammate’s comments, Neville said that it’s clear Ronaldo‘s second chapter at United has closed and will inevitably be released.
After being asked if he expects CR7 to wear his famous red shirt again, Neville simply replied “no, and l don’t think he wants a way back”, arguing that “he wouldn’t have done this interview if he wanted a way back. He knew it would bring the headlines it has and be the end of his Manchester United career.”
The 47-year-old went on to question why United are hesitating to sack the clearly wantaway player, saying that “they know they have to terminate Cristiano’s contract or they basically open up a precedent so any player can criticise them in the future”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Conceding that the sporting icon’s remarks regarding the Glazers and investment in the club we’re accurate, as any other right-minded Red would, he also alluded to them being very obvious and curiously timed given his convenient silence in the past.
It seems clearer than ever that the Portuguese star did the interview knowing full well the outcome he wanted and in hopes of securing a move elsewhere, having reportedly tried to leave United in the previous window. Either way, Neville reiterated that he still has respect for his old clubmate.
🗣️ "I would still shake Cristiano's hand, he may not shake mine."
He went on to say he accepts that he lives “in a world of criticism” and that the dynamic works both ways, but maintains that his admiration for “the best player [he] ever played with” and would still shake his hand even though it may no longer be reciprocated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Neville concluded his response by arguing that “it didn’t need to end like that” and “there was probably another way to do it” beyond a hostile tell-all interview organised without the club’s knowledge.
Either way, it didn’t stop Neville from taking a dig at the veteran player shortly after the first part of his interview with Morgan was broadcast, instead drawing attention intention to Salford City‘s FA Cup game.
Tune in to a “World Exclusive” at 8pm tonight
Salford City v Peterborough in the FACUP on ITV 4 channel 120
Not only did Ronaldo receive a frosty reception from his United teammates at Portgual’s World Cup camp, but his current employers’ (for however long that remains the case) have already removed his image from the poster plastered outside Old Trafford.
The Ronaldo return might have sounded like a good idea to fans and people inside the club at the time, but the ending is far from a fairytale.
You can watch Gary Neville’s full interview regarding Ronaldo’s comments here:
Leigh Leopards share update regarding Tesi Niu allegations
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester rugby league side Leigh Leopards have now issued an update addressing the allegations levelled at one of their players, Tesi Niu.
With the statement coming directly from the club’s owner, Derek Beaumont, the club have shed light on their understanding of the situation.
Beaumont, who bought the team over a decade ago and rebranded it from ‘Centurions’ to the Leopards back in 2022 (and also owns a local decking company based in Worsley), appeared to speak on behalf of the club following the accusations made last week.
Sharing an official communication on social media on Wednesday afternoon, 8 January, they open by saying that “the club is aware of social media activity of concern from one of its players’ accounts, that of Tesi Niu.”
“The club can confirm that the player’s account was accessed externally and without his knowledge or consent”, they continue, “and [was] deleted a short period thereafter.”
“We were instantly aware of this as it happened”, says the Leigh Leopards owner. “As a club, we have policies and procedures and employ a Player Welfare Manager who is a qualified counsellor.
“Our first port of call in these circumstances is to ensure the welfare of our player and any external party that may be involved. This was immediately initiated.
“Having since personally spoken with Tesi and Kiana individually and at length, and then our Player Welfare Manager and Head Coach, I am completely satisfied that they are both being fully supported.
“I can also confirm that there is no official complaint to the club regarding the player, nor to any relevant authorities. To that end, the club will make no further statements about the matter and would welcome supporters’ trust in the club’s processes and findings.”
For context, you can read what 24-year-old Niu has been accused of in full down below.
While the organisation has now insisted that nothing formal has been raised within the club nor with the police at this time, many supporters are still insisting that there must be a full investigation into the troubling claims.
At present, however, the statement seems to suggest that they won’t be taking the matter any further internally – at least not for now/until a proper case is opened.
Nevertheless, many Leopards supporters, rugby fans and people online in general have understandably raised more concerns following the statement.
Neither Tesi Niu himself nor Kiana Smith – his partner of more than five years, currently said to be pregnant with their third child – has yet to share any further message(s) following the initial declaration of alleged abuse.
Serving as yet another fitting tribute from his beloved football club, who already honoured the late, great, Manc musician at Old Trafford, it’s rumoured to launch later this year.
Snapped alongside United’s current third kit for the 25/26 season, the rumoured ‘lifestyle’ jersey is apparently coming very soon.
This pair of images has seemingly confirmed the claims made by trusted online kit source, Footy Headlines, who specialise in sharing pictures of the football shirts, boots and more, who had already reported on the release in 2025.
As you can see, not only does the design feature a striking blue take on the band’s iconic album art style (expanded from an original painting by guitarist John Squire), but if you look closely, it also features the band’s iconic song and overriding slogan, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, built into the crest.
You can see the rest of the existing Stone Roses collection in full down below.
We’re sure there are loads of other little details besides the twist on the badge still to be spotted, but for now, all we know is that the world-famous sporting franchise is continuing to capitalise even further on The Stone Roses connection.
Since the last batch of officially licensed adidas x Stone Roses merch quickly became collector’s items, we can only assume that this latest shirt won’t be the only new addition.
For instance, one user already commented, ‘Where’s the bucket hat?’
As for Manchester United, they’re no doubt looking to generate as much revenue as possible after having to pay another sizeable severance package following the sacking of Ruben Amorim – the question is, who is going to be next?
Danny Jones -
17th November 2022 
