The famous interview that Cristiano Ronaldo has given to Piers Morgan in which he talks about his situation at Manchester United has finally been released.
The Portuguese striker gave that interview to the journalist where he harshly attacks the English club.
Ronaldo has blasted the way the club has failed to modernize since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, whilst he also touched upon how close he came to signing with Manchester City.
“I was close to going to City, it’s something I talked about a lot, they tried a lot,” Ronaldo told Piers Morgan.
“Guardiola did everything he could to take me to City.
“But my heart, my feelings and what I had done before, and Sir Alex Ferguson, made the difference.”
When quizzed on his relationship with the fans, especially those he may have alienated with the interview, the Portuguese forward didn’t see a problem.
“The fans, for me, are everything,” he confirmed.
“When I decided to leave Juventus, United was not in my plans, it was a surprise even to me.
“When I signed for United I expected something to have changed, I spent nine years at Madrid, then Juve… but I was surprised for the worse.
“Everything was still the same, the technology, everything. It’s something that surprised me, I didn’t expect it. Everything was still the same.”
United’s bad moment
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge when Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford, and the direction the club appeared to be moving was initially attractive to Ronaldo.
“I thought when they signed Sancho that year, and Varane, plus me, that things are going to be the way Manchester should be,” he detailed.
“Sir Alex Ferguson left a big hole at the club, not just Sir Alex Ferguson, but also a person who I think made a difference; David Gill, the chairman, is a very, very good man.
“The structure around Sir Alex Ferguson was very important as well.
“Right now it’s a club that is not at the highest level. I hope that in the future they can be again. They haven’t moved, it’s like the clock has stopped on them.”
Ralf Rangnick
Solskjaer was dismissed before Christmas and replaced by Ralf Rangnick, who Cristiano Ronaldo has no respect for.
“After Solskjaer they bring in a sporting director, which is something I don’t understand. This guy is not even a coach. I had never even heard of him. When you see some coaches coming in, who want to invent soccer, I don’t agree, I have my opinion,” he explained.
“It doesn’t matter if they agree or not, but it’s part of the business because at the end of the day, I’m at a club to win, and with my experience, I want to help.”
Ronaldo also has his opinion on the current generation of younger players, who aren’t like him.
“I don’t think they disrespect the experienced players, that’s not the word, but it’s a different generation. There’s no hunger, they have things too easy,” he continued.
“They don’t suffer. In all the leagues in the world, the younger ones now, they are not the same as my generation. But we can’t blame them because it’s part of life, you know.
“New technologies that distract them for something else are here so… But they’re not the same.
“It’s a shame because if you have the best examples in front of your eyes, and if they don’t at least copy what you did, for me, it’s a little bit strange.”
When probed further on this matter, the former Real Madrid forward made clear that he felt he was a perfect role model for younger players.
“I’m not the kind of person who likes to give advice, I prefer to be an example. Because I am an example,” he added.
“I’m there every morning and I do the same thing.
“I’m probably the first one in and the last one out. I think the details speak for themselves. That’s why I say I like to lead by example.”
Diogo Dalot is very professional
Ronaldo didn’t have many positive things to say about anyone in his dramatic interview, although he did offer special praise to his Portuguese compatriot, Diogo Dalot, whom he declared as the player he would ‘save’ from the Old Trafford club.
“At Manchester United I can mention Dalot, he is young but very professional,” he determined.
“I have no doubt that he is going to have longevity in football, because he is young, smart and intelligent.
“I can also say probably Martinez, Casemiro is about 30 years old, but I will say Dalot.”
Cristiano Ronaldo spoke with understandable emotion when the topic of the passing of his son arose, although he accused Manchester United of not believing his reasons for missing pre-season.
“It’s probably the worst moment of my life since my father died,” he pondered.
“When you have a son you think everything is going to be normal, and when it’s not then it’s difficult.
“You don’t know whether to cry or smile, I try to explain to my family, I’ve never had to be happy and sad at the same time. It’s so hard.
“I have to hold onto the fact we have Bella at least, one died and one survived, but it’s hard to explain.
“I spoke with the director and the president of Manchester United and they kind of didn’t believe me that something was going wrong,” he added.
“This made me feel bad. They believed me, but at the same time [Ronaldo shook his head].” (MARCA)
