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”.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
14th November 2022 
