Ronaldo risks United legacy after explosive tirade

LONDRES - Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have burnt his bridges with Manchester United after launching a stinging tirade against the club and faces an uncertain future as he prepares for the World Cup.

The Portugal superstar told Piers Morgan's show on TalkTV that he feels "betrayed" by the Premier League club and that he has no respect for new manager Erik ten Hag.

He also hit out at the club's US owners, the Glazer family, stating they care far more about the money-making potential of United than results on the pitch.

The 37-year-old forward even fired a broadside against former teammates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney, saying "they are not my friends" after recent criticism from the pair.

The club have been cautious in their response so far, saying they would consider their response "after the full facts have been established".

But after such a outburst it is almost impossible to imagine a way back for Ronaldo at Old Trafford.

ESPN reported that Ten Hag has told United bosses that Ronaldo should not play for the club again.

Ronaldo and United could part ways when the transfer window opens in January, but it is not certain there will be a suitable buyer for the player despite his status in the game.

The veteran, who recently scored his 700th club goal, was angling for a move in the summer window after United failed to qualify for this season's Champions League.

But Premier League and European giants opted not to move for a player who was once the hottest property in world football, leaving him stuck at United.

They will likely be even more wary now, having witnessed Ronaldo's behaviour, though the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has reportedly held talks with Bayern Munich.

He has also been linked with an emotional return to Sporting Lisbon, where he came through the youth ranks, but he would have to accept a huge hit to his reported weekly pay packet at United of around £500,000 ($593,000).

Ronaldo, who has scored just three goals this season, had returned to the team in recent weeks and even captained the Red Devils in a 3-1 loss at Aston Villa, though he was not in the squad for United's final match before the World Cup break.

In 2018 he was voted by Manchester United fans as the club's best player of the Premier League era but his explosive words have threatened to break those bonds.

It appears unlikely Ronaldo, about to embark on what will almost certainly be his final World Cup in Qatar, will ever play for the club again.