The situation with Cristiano Ronaldo has been a dark cloud lingering over Manchester United all season and parts of last year too, but that’s nothing compared to this latest downpour.
Man United‘s number seven and long-standing club legend has put his legacy in further jeopardy by deciding to do an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, in which he didn’t hold back his opinions on both current and previous coaches, as well past and present teammates.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, the 37-year-old started by diagnosing what many fans would tend to agree with: that there has been “no evolution in the club” since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ronaldo went on to suggest that everything from the gym facilities to “the technology, the kitchen” and various other pieces of “infrastructure”.
"Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero."
The all-time leading international and club goalscorer went on to question why the club previously brought in Ralf Rangnick as both a sporting director and interim manager, arguing that “he’s not even a coach”, adding: “how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I’d never even heard of him”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Regardless of his feelings, it is worth reminding that the German has indeed coached more than a dozen different teams in his career — currently employed as the manager of the Austrian national team — and is regularly credited for developing popular ‘Gegenpressing’ tactics used by Jurgen Klopp, for instance.
Furthermore, the Portuguese icon went on to drag his current coach Erik ten Hag, stating: “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.” Ronaldo has been dropped by ten Hag on multiple occasions.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ronaldo was reportedly told he would not be in the squad for Sunday’s match against Fulham on Thursday, according to Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol, with his comments no doubt taking some of the shine off thrilling stoppage time win.
Clearly lining up the interview in the days leading up to their next Premier League fixture, he went on to say that he feels “betrayed” by the club and that figures were looking to force him out, including ten Hag himself.
"I feel betrayed."
EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels like he's being forced out of Manchester United in an explosive interview.
Going off on somewhat of a tangent, Ronaldo even took aim at his former teammate and attacking partner, Wayne Rooney, after the club’s leading goalscorer said last week that CR7 risks becoming an “unwanted distraction” at United.
ADVERTISEMENT
Apparently, Ronaldo hasn’t appreciated Rooney’s comments in recent weeks and months, responding by saying: “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. I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true…”
Calling into talkSPORT the morning after, Morgan revealed he had been asking the broadcaster to do an interview for some time and despite its controversial nature, “he feels he should be doing this”.
🔥 “He knows it’s going to be incendiary but he feels he should be doing this.”
🙏 “He loves #MUFC & the fans but feels if he doesn’t speak nothing will change.”@PiersMorgan explains how and why his interview with Ronaldo happened. pic.twitter.com/VGJMDs80ex
Meanwhile, United have said they will not be officially responding to Ronaldo’s Piers Morgan interview but Sky understands that teammates, coaches and various other staff members are disappointed that the veteran professional would “disrespect” the club in this way.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo believes “the fans should know the truth” and that he only wants “the best for the club”, insisting that “they’re always on my side”. We dare say he may have fewer supporters on his side after this one.
Featured Image — Piers Morgan Uncensored (via Twitter)
Sport
Man United to play Newcastle in Carabao Cup fourth round after Magpies knock out Man City
Danny Jones
Last season’s Carabao Cup winners, Man United, now know their opponents for the next round after Newcastle United beat Man City 1-0 on Wednesday night, meaning both 2022/23 finalists will once again be meeting each other.
Either way, Alexander Isak’s single goal in the game at St James’ Park was enough to see the Magpies make it past the treble-winners despite a dominant first-half display from the away side.
City had been on top throughout and had plenty chances of their own.
After receiving a yellow card during the game, the night ended with Guardiola fuming at referee Chris Kavanagh and exchanging more than a few words after the full-time whistle.
Clearing the moment up with reporters after the game, Pep said: “I don’t know how many fouls they did, how many fouls we had and the number of yellow cards, but it is what it is — sometimes the emotions are there. Respect for the referees and their job, a well-deserved yellow card.”
Nevertheless, the result has led to a repeat of last year’s culminating cup tie which, despite coming much earlier in the competition this time around, will see United facing off against a high-flying Newcastle team who just put eight goals past Sheffield United on this past Sunday.
The Magpies’ manager, Eddie Howe, has already said he and his side are aiming to “go one better” than they did last year and with the form they’re displaying at the moment — especially with United’s stuttering start — they stand a pretty good chance.
🗣 "We want to try and go one further if we can but there's a long way to go."
Elsewhere amongst the Premier League sides remaining in the competition, West Ham will host Arsenal, Bournemouth will play Liverpool at home and Sean Dyche’s Everton will play his old club Burnley.
Further down the footballing pyramid, Fulham visit Championship side Ipswich, Chelsea will host Blackburn and at least two other EFL sides will make it to the quarter-finals, with Mansfield at home to Port Vale and Exeter playing Middlesbrough.
All fourth-round ties are set to take place in the week commencing 30 October.
You can watch the highlights of Newcastle United vs Manchester City down below.
Featured Image — Man United/Man City/Newcastle United (via Instagram)
Sport
Someone’s imagined what a date night with different football managers would be like — and now we want to date Ian Holloway
Danny Jones
Someone on Twitter—sorry, X, has put together a hypothetical thread of what different football managers would be like on a date and we genuinely haven’t stopped laughing.
It’s times like these that we remember how much we love the internet.
The absolutely deviant genius behind this is a lady named Alexandra Haddow: a writer, comedian, columnist and self-proclaimed ‘fashion magpie’ who decided to turn her comic chops to the world of football and footy managers, specifically.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to date, say, Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta, this may or may not give you some idea of what it might be like. I mean, not really but it’s hilarious and, we’ll warn you, it’s more than a bit naughty.
2. Kevin Keegan
Nice dinner in a decent pub, Babychams on him, both get accidentally leathered and join a group of people on a 40th birthday. One of the best nights out you’d had in years. Goes through you like a train in the morning
There’s a total of 15 different imaginary dates with 15 different football managers. Few rival Keegan’s satisfaction levels.
4. Pep Guardiola
Picks you up in his car & whisks you to a restaurant that nobody’s heard of but it’s about to be impossible to get into. Has one too many, leaves the car & has a row with the taxi driver on the way back to yours. Fresh coffee in the morning. You should call him
Sadly, Pep couldn’t perform in this fantasy fixture.
6. Gareth Southgate
Comes round to yours with a lovely bottle of wine and makes his own pasta from scratch. You spend all night chatting and open up to him about your relationship with your father, sharing things you’ve never told anyone. The next day you quit your job
We’d try and describe how we’re feeling after reading these but we’ve only just got up after fainting.
It goes without saying that these spicy takes aren’t only an absolute crease but they’ll probably get you more hot under the collar than all three Fifty Shades books combined.
We genuinely struggled to pick our favourite but her vision of going out with former Leicester, Blackpool and QPR coach, Ian Holloway, had us literally dripping with tears of laughter: “Takes you to life drawing & brings magic mushrooms for both of you. You get kicked out for giggling. Ends up a twilight stroll by the river with ice creams discussing philosophy & your favourite sweet wrappers. Quick one in the bushes on the way home for a laugh.”
Honestly, we could be here all day sharing these fiery fantasy dates but we’ll leave you to enjoy them at your own (p)leisure.
Big up Alexandra for putting her mind firmly in the gutter simply for our amusement. She’s also playing here in Manchester next month at Cane and Grain in Northern Quarter in case you fancy enjoying her funnies in person.
The London-based comic has been supporting Frankie Boyle on tour and has received rave reviews following this year’s Edinburgh Festival.
You can grab tickets for her ‘Not My Finest Hour’ show on 9 October HERE.
Last one, we promise. ‘Big Sam’ would be the ride of your life and you most likely wouldn’t survive…
9. Big Sam Allardyce
Takes you to a dog fight & you win big. Straight to Angus Steak House for a well done ribeye with all the trimmings. 18 pints & back to his. Shags you into another dimension. Cashes out the next day & you realise he put a bet on you’d go home with him at 3/1
Danny Jones -
14th November 2022 
