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:
Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).
“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.
“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.
“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Danny Jones -
17th November 2022 
