Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United: All the friction that led to the goodbye of ‘CR7’ at Old Trafford

A year ago the news of the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United and his return to the Premier League made thousands of fans around the world happy. His return to Old Trafford and the memory of his early years at the club that saw him become a star left many excited.

After nine incredible years at Real Madrid and three seasons at Juventus, the Portuguese striker was coming home at a crucial moment for the club. In his first season back, he was the team’s best player, scoring victories and scoring important goals under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He helped the ‘Red Devils’ in the Champions League, although he couldn’t do the same in the Premier League.

Three months after his arrival, Cristiano began to dislike certain situations that occurred at the club. Solskjaer’s departure and Ralf Ragnick’s entry was not to the taste of the striker who began to be substituted or not called up on several occasions. Poor results dogged United and a frustrated Ronaldo could be seen on the pitch.

In last April, The forward starred in a strong controversy where he threw a 14-year-old boy’s cell phone to the ground while he was on his way to the dressing rooms at Goodison Park after his team’s defeat against Everton. Images of the incident flooded the networks and even led to a police investigation. Cristiano apologized for his behavior and invited a young fan to attend a match at Old Trafford “as a sign of fair play and sportsmanship.”

A month later, towards the middle of May, Erik Ten Hag arrived as the savior of the team. The lack of signings and new players would worry the Portuguese who was eager to shine again in Europe and the rumors that he would leave United for a more competitive club would generate tensions. Finally in the preseason the whole situation would become noticeable.

Ronaldo missed the team’s first trip to Thailand as part of the preparation for the new season. The footballer stayed at home and with his family training on his own while the first triumphs of the Erik Ten Hag era arrived. Despite Ronaldo’s wishes to leave the club, Manchester United did everything possible to prevent him from leaving the striker.

Before the end of the European summer Ronaldo starred in his first public disagreement with the coach at Old Trafford when he left the field before the final whistle in the friendly match against Rayo Vallecano. “I certainly do not approve of this. This is unacceptable, for everyone. We are a team and we have to stay until the end”, declared Ten Hag when asked about Cristiano’s attitude. This would be the beginning of a season for the Portuguese to forget.

With notable tension during the season, the Manchester derby was played in October and Ronaldo did not start. He didn’t even come on as a substitute and the discomfort was noticeable in the player. Days later and with no choice but to play the Europa League, the portuguese stole all eyes when he left the pitch before the end of the match against Tottenham where the ‘red devils’ won 2-0. A game in which the striker was not taken into account either.

Hours later, the club released a harsh statement sanctioning its star: “The 37-year-old striker will not be part of the squad for this Saturday’s match against Chelsea in the Premier League. The rest of the group will train normally for this match”. The relationship hung by a thread and so Ronaldo joined the Portugal team to play in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

A few days ago the last bomb was dropped and a Cristiano Ronaldo interview speaking loud and clear about his sensitive situation at Manchester United. The Portuguese showed himself in an extremely frank conversation before the British journalist Piers Morgan and where he had no qualms about declaring that the situation with the English club is untenable.

The controversy has been so great that today the departure of the Manchester United footballer in the middle of the World Cup has been made official. Through a brief statement, the English team says goodbye to the player: “Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, effective immediately. The club thanks him for his immense contribution during his two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family all the best for the future.” ends.

For his part, Ronaldo also declared on his social networks saying goodbye to the club that gave him opportunities to grow and closing a tough chapter in his football career: “After speaking with Manchester United, we have mutually decided to end our contract. I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never change. However, it is the right time to look for a new challenge. I wish the team the best for the rest of the season and for the future.”