Manchester United terminates Cristiano Ronaldo contract

The biggest name in football is on the look out for a new club after parting ways with Manchester United following a devastating interview.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s unhappy second marriage with Manchester United is over.

The world’s most followed footballer is leaving Old Trafford after a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan where he lashed out at several coaches and management for his treatment during his second stint at the club.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford.”

Ronaldo will now look for a new club to join after the FIFA World Cup, where he is playing for Portugal.

“Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early.

“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.”

It’s over. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Portugal defender Ruben Dias said Tuesday it was time to focus on the World Cup and move on from the media circus surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview.

The Manchester City centre-back said despite the distraction, Ronaldo’s comments had not dented the nation’s bid to win the competition for the first time in their history.

Ronaldo, who has been a peripheral figure for Manchester United this season, last week lashed out at the club and coach Erik ten Hag in an interview with Britain’s TalkTV.

In the aftermath he appeared to share a frosty greeting with Portugal and United teammate Bruno Fernandes and was also pictured gripping Joao Cancelo by the head.

But Dias said it was time to move on.

“I don’t think Cristiano’s affairs have put a dent whatsoever into what we are trying to achieve here, so I don’t have much to say about it,” Dias said.

Ronaldo can show what he’s got left in the tank in Qatar. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

“I think we’ve talked about this enough, there’s not much to add. As a team we will focus on the World Cup now and not other issues.” Ronaldo, who has a world-record 117 international goals in men’s football, will captain the team at his fifth World Cup.

The superstar forward is unrepentant about his interview, which has caused such a furore, telling reporters: “I talk when I want to.”

Euro 2016 winners Portugal are among the fancied sides in Qatar but Dias refused to speculate on how far they could go.

– with AFP

Originally published as Manchester United terminates Cristiano Ronaldo contract