Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United “with immediate effect,” the Premier League club said Tuesday.
The termination of the 37-year-old forward’s contract comes
after he conducted an explosive interview in which he criticized manager Erik
ten Hag and the club’s owners.
It wasn’t immediately clear where he would end up next after
failing to secure a move to a Champions League club in the summer.
“Following conversations with Manchester United we have
mutually agreed to end our contract early,” Ronaldo said. “I love Manchester
United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like
the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
“I wish the team every success for the remainder of the
season and for the future.”
Ronaldo, who is currently in Qatar with Portugal as he aims
to win a first World Cup title for his country, previously made it clear that
he wanted a transfer after being reduced to a fringe member of the team this
season.
On Tuesday, he got his wish with United confirming his
departure.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual
agreement, with immediate effect,” it said in a statement. “The club thanks him
for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145
goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.”
The statement didn’t convey United’s dismay after Ronaldo’s
unauthorized interview with Piers Morgan.
The Portugal captain said he felt “betrayed” during a
90-minute discussion in which he was also critical of younger players.
United said last week that it had initiated appropriate
steps in response to his comments, with the cancellation of his contract widely
expected. -AP