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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has said he felt “betrayed” by the club for trying to force him out, adding that he has “no respect” the manager, Erik ten Hag, because he “doesn’t show respect for me.”
Ronaldo, 37, had in August promised that he would give his version of life at Old Trafford after failing to secure a move to a club playing in the Champions League.
In an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan on Sunday night, Ronaldo claimed that there has been “zero progress” at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in the summer of 2013.
When asked if United’s hierarchy were trying to force him out of the club, Ronaldo said: “Yes. Not only the coach, but the other two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed.”
When quizzed again if senior club executives were trying to oust him, the 37-year-old replied: “Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t care. People should hear the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed. Some people don’t want me here, not only this year, but last year too.
“I don’t know what’s going on. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left, I have seen not evolution in the club. The progress was zero.
“For example, an interesting point is how a club like Manchester United sacked Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer), they bring in a sporting director, Ralf Rangnick, awhich is something nobody understands. This guy is not even a coach! A big club like Manchester United bringing in a sporting director surprised not only me but all the world.
“Nothing changes. Not only the jacuzzi, the pool, even the gym. Even some points of technology, the kitchen, the chefs, who I appreciate, lovely people! They stop in time which surprised me a lot.
“I thought I would see different things, technology, infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see many things I’m used to seeing when I’m 21, 22, 23. It surprised me a lot,” he said
Ronaldo also said about ten Hag: “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.”