Manchester United

Manchester United announced in a statement Tuesday that the Glazer family is beginning the process "to explore strategic alternatives for the club," including "new investment into the club, a sale or other transactions involving the Company."

Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer said in a statement:

“The strength of Manchester United rests on the passion and loyalty of our global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers. As we seek to continue building on the Club’s history of success, the Board has authorized a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives. We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximizes the significant growth opportunities available to the Club today and in the future. Throughout this process we will remain fully focused on serving the best interests of our fans, shareholders, and various stakeholders.”

The Glazer family, which also owns the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took control of Manchester United in 2005 for £790 million. However, fans of the Red Devils have been protesting the move ever since, primarily because of the way the club has been run since the Glazers took over.

From 2005-2013, Manchester United enjoyed great success, posting five first-place finishes in the Premier League, three Carabao Cup victories, four Community Shield wins and a UEFA Champions League victory.

However, the club has been on a downward spiral since then, unable to compete with teams like Liverpool and Manchester City. While the Red Devils have won one FA Cup, one Carabao Cup and a Community Shield since 2013, they haven't won the Premier League nor have they been competitive in the Champions League. Further, they have competed in the Europa League in five of the last eight seasons.

Manchester United fans have been so disgruntled with the way the club has been run that they forced the postponement of a game against Liverpool at Old Trafford in May 2021 because they were protesting against the proposed Super League and the Glazer family.

Manchester United's announcement comes after it revealed Tuesday that they had decided to mutually part ways with superstar Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who criticized the club, its ownership and manager Erik ten Hag in a recent interview with Piers Morgan.

Manchester United is following in the footsteps of Fenway Sports Group, which also owns Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox. FSG recently announced that Liverpool would be put up for sale.

If both Manchester United and Liverpool are sold, they would join Chelsea as the next Premier League clubs to be sold. Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea to an investment group led by Todd Boehly, who owns MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, and Clearlake Capital in May.

Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United by "mutual agreement, with immediate effect," the club announced Tuesday.

Per David Ornstein of The Athletic, the two sides agreed to mutually terminate his contract.

Ronaldo released the following statement: "Following talks with Manchester United, we've mutually agreed to end our contract. I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. It feels like the right time to seek a new challenge. I wish Man United all the best."

The move doesn't come as a surprise after a season of discontent from the player's side that started when he didn't receive a summer transfer.

On Oct. 19, Ronaldo refused to be subbed on during a 2-0 victory over Tottenham, left the bench before the end of the match and was gone from the stadium altogether before his teammates made it back to the locker room.

That led to a one-match suspension.

It was the second time Ronaldo left a match early. He also departed in the second half of a July preseason friendly against Rayo Vallecano after he was subbed off at halftime.

Add in poor body language throughout the season and it was clear Ronaldo wasn't happy.

But things came to a head last week when Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan was released.

In the interview, Ronaldo said the club's owners, the Glazer family, "do not care about Manchester United."

"As you know Manchester is a marketing club," he added. "They will get money from the marketing and they don’t really care about the sport, in my opinion.”

He also alleged that some at the club didn't believe him over the summer when he took time away from the club while his young daughter was having health issues.

"And [they] kind of didn't believe there was something going wrong which was making me feel bad," he said. "They believed, but in the same way, I'm never going to change the health of my family for football. Never. Now, or ten years behind or forward."

The club privately pushed back against that particular claim, per Luke Brown of The Athletic.

And Ronaldo said he felt "betrayed" by the club and that several people at United had tried to force him out of the club over the past two years.

"I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me," he added of manager Erik ten Hag. "If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."

Rob Dawson of ESPN reported last week that Ten Hag met with co-chairman Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough and expressed that Ronaldo should not play for the club again.

Ten Hag got his wish. Ronaldo, who was clearly angling to be so toxic that United had no choice but to terminate his contract, got his as well.

Cristiano Ronaldo's comments about Manchester United and manager Erik ten Hag could cost him in court.

Per ESPN's Rob Dawson, the club is seeking to terminate Ronaldo's contract and could sue him for breach of contract.

This comes after Manchester United announced it has "initiated appropriate steps" in the wake of Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan earlier this week.

Ronaldo told Morgan he felt "provoked" by Ten Hag because it's "not allowed" for a coach to put him in for three minutes when addressing why he walked off the field during an Oct. 19 match vs. Tottenham.

Cristiano Ronaldo says he felt "provoked" by Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag and addresses leaving the ground during a preseason friendly.

Watch live: https://t.co/ajbahBvQpp@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #90MinutesWithRonaldo | #PMU pic.twitter.com/swWIvSXYsY

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 17, 2022

Manchester United announced Ronaldo was suspended for its Premier League match Oct. 22 against Chelsea.

Ronaldo took exception to the club's decision to suspend him for three days.

"I'm not perfect... but suspend me for three days?

"For that, I think it's too much."

Ronaldo says he was "very disappointed" when he was suspended by Manchester United.

Watch live: https://t.co/ajbahBvQpp@cristiano | @piersmorgan | #90MinutesWithRonaldo | #PMU pic.twitter.com/8hO5p9v4OC

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 17, 2022

In the same interview (h/t Dawson), Ronaldo said he doesn't respect Ten Hag "because he doesn't show respect for me." He also said the club "tried to force me out."

"Not only the manager, but the other two or three guys who are around the club [at the senior executive level]," he explained. "I felt betrayed. I don't care, people should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed. I feel that some people didn't want me here, not only this year but last season too."

Ronaldo told Morgan the Red Devils have made "zero" progress since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013.

Dawson noted United has appointed lawyers to explore the possibility of suing Ronaldo for breach of contract.

Ronaldo has reportedly been wanting to leave Manchester United for some time. Fabrizio Romano of Sky Sport Italy reported in July the 37-year-old told the club he wanted to leave because "he wants to see more ambition."

Romano noted United was aware of Ronaldo's desire to leave but hoped to keep him.

Manchester United signed Ronaldo to a two-year contract, with an option for an additional year, in August 2021. He returned to the club after stints with Real Madrid and Juventus.

If the option year hasn't been triggered, his deal would expire in August 2023.

Ronaldo is set to play for Portugal in the 2022 World Cup. Its first match in group play will be against Ghana on Nov. 24.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is ready to move on from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rob Dawson of ESPN reported Ten Hag informed the United board he does not want Ronaldo to play another game for the club after the disgruntled striker's comments in an interview with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo told Morgan he does not respect Ten Hag and has had issues with other executives at the club.

"Manchester United tried to force me out," Ronaldo said on Piers Morgan Uncensored. "Not only the manager, but the other two or three guys who are around the club [at the senior executive level]. I felt betrayed. I don't care, people should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed. I feel that some people didn't want me here, not only this year but last season, too."

The Premier League does not resume for more than a month to allow for the World Cup to take place in Qatar, which gives United ample time to figure the situation out. The club plays only two league games between now and the start of the January transfer window.

Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in August 2021 after nine years away from the club where he emerged as a global superstar, but his second tenure has been disappointing. Despite Ronaldo scoring 24 goals in his first season back in Manchester, the team went from finishing second place in the Premier League table prior to his arrival to seventh.

In the summer, Ronaldo publicly requested to leave so that he could play for a team in the UEFA Champions League after United failed to qualify, making his assertion that the club has tried to force him out somewhat puzzling.

A move didn't come to fruition, and Ronaldo returned to the team, but Ten Hag reprimanded Ronaldo for leaving a July friendly against Rayo Vallecano without permission, and the situation reached a head last month when the striker refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.

Ronaldo's interview with Morgan became public shortly after United pulled off a 2-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday—a game Ronaldo missed with a purported illness. The timing stoked not only the ire of Ten Hag but also players on the team, which could further complicate Ronaldo's potential return.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued to levy a number of accusations against Manchester United, as a new clip of his incendiary interview with Piers Morgan was released on Monday.

In it, the veteran forward accused senior officials of not believing him over the summer when he told them his daughter Bella was dealing with medical issues.

"They didn't believe that something was going wrong."

Cristiano Ronaldo has told Piers Morgan he felt doubted by his Manchester United bosses when he told them his newborn daughter was sick.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/Y2jDLFR62J

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 14, 2022

I spoke with the director and president of Manchester United. And [they] kind of didn't believe that something was going wrong which was making me feel bad," he said. "They believed, but in the same way, I'm never going to change the health of my family for football. Never. Now, or 10 years behind or forward.

It's something that really hurt me because they doubted my word that I struggled, especially Bella and Geo [Ronaldo's wife, Georgina Rodriguez] we had one week in hospital because Bella had a big problem. I didn't go to preseason because of that, because I wasn't allowed to leave my family in case something happened to do preseason. I don't think that's fair, to leave my family for preseason, and that's why I didn't go.

According to Luke Brown of The Athletic, Manchester United officials have privately pushed back against Ronaldo's claims, countering that his "time off was sanctioned and [United Manager Erik Ten Hag] only referenced 'personal reasons' during the tour so [as] not to divulge details, while senior officials absolutely believed the reason Ronaldo gave for his absence."

Ronaldo also alleged in his interview with Morgan that United's owners, the Glazer family, don't have the club's best interests at heart:

Cristiano Ronaldo says Manchester United's owners don't care about the club 😮 pic.twitter.com/vc5pPst89P

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 14, 2022

In clips from the interview that were released on Sunday, Ronaldo said he felt "betrayed" by Ten Hag and several other people at the club and added that he didn't have any respect for the manager because he felt he wasn't shown any respect.

"Some people, I feel, don't want me here," he said. "Not just this year, but last year too."

He also took aim at former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who spent part of last year leading the club.

"If you're not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United?" he said to Morgan. "I'd never even heard of him."

It's possible that Ronaldo is going scorched earth in an effort to make himself so toxic that United choose to rip up his contract and allow him to become a free agent. The 37-year-old pushed for a transfer over the summer, ostensibly hoping to land with a Champions League side, but wasn't moved and stayed at Old Trafford.

That has led to a drama-filled season, which included Ronaldo refusing to be subbed on during 2-0 win over Tottenham in late October, leaving the bench before the match concluded and the stadium altogether before his teammates returned to the locker room after the contest.

He was dropped from the team for the next match against Chelsea, but led the line in the club's win over FC Sheriff in the Europa League later that week. Ten Hag then went on to name Ronaldo as the captain for an early November matchup against Aston Villa.

But after the revelations and accusations Ronaldo has made against people across all levels of the club in the interview with Morgan, it's hard to imagine him suiting up for the club again. Whether United will seek a transfer, sever his contract altogether or keep him on the roster but off the team sheet remains to be seen. However, for the time being, the two sides will have a break from each other while Ronaldo is in Qatar with Portugal for the World Cup.

Manchester United are reportedly "furious" after Cristiano Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan where he criticized the club and manager Erik ten Hag, per Rob Dawson of ESPN.

Ronaldo said on Piers Morgan Uncensored that he believes he was being forced out of the club by Ten Hag and others at the executive level:

"I feel betrayed."

EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels like he's being forced out of Manchester United in an explosive interview.

90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/nqp4mcXHB0

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022

According to Dawson, Ronaldo and his representatives were actively seeking an exit from the team during the summer transfer window but were unable to find a new home.

Manchester United leaders are also upset at the timing of the latest interview, which was released after the club's 2-1 win over Fulham in the final match before the World Cup. Ronaldo didn't feature in the match and has made just four starts in the English Premier League this season, tallying only one goal in 10 total appearances.

In October, the 37-year-old was suspended for one match after leaving the pitch early as an unused substitute.

It's been a significant change from last season, when Ronaldo scored 18 goals with three assists in 30 league appearances (27 starts).

After the turmoil of this campaign, the forward said he does not respect his own manager.

"I don't have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn't show respect for me," Ronaldo said in the interview, via Dawson. "If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."

The full Piers Morgan interview will be shown Wednesday.

In addition to the disrespect to the manager, Ronaldo also claimed the club has not made upgrades since Sir Alex Ferguson retired:

"Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero."

Don't miss Piers Morgan's 90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/VextyEu7f9

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022

The superstar played for Ferguson at Manchester United from 2003-09, winning three league titles with one Championship League trophy.

The club took offense to this statement as well, with Dawson reporting the recent changes.

"Sources told ESPN that the pool, canteen and recovery areas have all been revamped, while more than £200,000 was spent to build a state-of-the-art analysis and meeting room at the specific request of Ten Hag," Dawson wrote.

Ronaldo will now represent Portugal at the World Cup, but it's clear his time with Manchester United will not last too much longer.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar begins in seven days, and while Cristiano Ronaldo has his sights set on winning Portugal its first-ever World Cup title, he took the time to reflect on his season with Manchester United.

In a candid interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said he feels "betrayed" by the way Manchester United has treated him in his return this season and feels the club is trying to force him out:

"I feel betrayed."

EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels like he's being forced out of Manchester United in an explosive interview.

90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/nqp4mcXHB0

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022

Ronaldo opted to return to Manchester United during the 2021-22 season after departing the club for Real Madrid in 2009. He spent nine seasons with Los Blancos before joining Juventus in 2018.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner played one game for Juventus in 2021-22 before signing a two-year deal with the Red Devils in August 2021 with the option for a third year.

However, Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford hasn't gone as he expected. While he scored 24 goals across all competitions last season, Manchester United finished sixth in the Premier League and were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16.

In addition, the Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League this season and are instead participating in the UEFA Europa League. They are currently fifth in the Premier League table with an 8-2-4 record.

Ronaldo's desire to compete in the Champions League led to reports in July that he requested a transfer from Manchester United in order to "continue to play Champions League football" in 2022-23.

However, Ronaldo also told Morgan that he is unhappy with the lack improvements the club has made since he left in 2009.

"The progress was zero," Ronaldo said. "Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed."

Since July, things have unraveled further for Ronaldo, who has been relegated to the bench, making just four Premier League starts for the Red Devils this season. He has just one goal in 10 Premier League appearances, and tensions between himself and manager Erik Ten Hag continue to worsen.

The hostility between Ronaldo and Ten Hag appeared to hit its peak last month when the Portuguese international refused to come off the bench as a late substitute in a match against Tottenham and instead went back to the locker room.

That led to Ten Hag suspending Ronaldo for the club's next match against Chelsea, and he also did not train with the senior team during that suspension.

In his bombshell interview with Morgan, Ronaldo said he doesn't have respect for Ten Hag because the manager has no respect for him.

"If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you," Ronaldo told Morgan.

With the World Cup set to begin, Manchester United will not be back in action until Dec. 7 in a friendly against Cádiz CF.

It's hard to envision how Ronaldo can move forward with the club following his interview with Morgan. If he has played his final game with the Red Devils, it will be interesting to see whom he suits up for next.

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training with the club Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in training with multiple reports suggesting he will return to play this week after conversations with Erik ten Hag 📸 pic.twitter.com/QvT5554l4z

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 25, 2022

Ronaldo was omitted from the squad for United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. In their previous match, a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, he left the bench before full-time, and manager Erik ten Hag subsequently confirmed the Portuguese refused to enter the fixture as a substitute.

According to ESPN's Rob Dawson, Ronaldo and Ten Hag have maintained a "constant dialogue" following the Chelsea draw.

"Ten Hag happy issue has been dealt with and keen to move on," per Dawson.

This situation is driving home how Ronaldo needs Manchester United more than Manchester United need Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old is no longer so good to where he's automatically on the teamsheet for each and every match. His 18 goals in the Premier League last season don't paint an accurate picture of his full impact on the pitch, and now you can't count on him to regularly provide goals, either. He has one goal through eight league fixtures, and his 0.26 goals per 90 minutes are on pace to be his lowest since 2004-05, per FBRef.

Ten Hag basically holds all of the cards because Ronaldo can't afford to remain confined to the bench—or frozen out altogether—with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.

Even presuming he doesn't get dropped by Portugal coach Fernando Santos, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will want to be in form once the event rolls around next month. Both he and the national team will suffer if he's struggling for match fitness.

Earlier in his career, Ronaldo effectively had carte blanche because being one of the best players in the world affords you special privileges. Today, he's bound to come out on the losing end in any head-to-head battle with his manager.

As a result, the Portuguese is forced to make do for now until he can seek greener pastures in the January transfer window or upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received "no interest" from other clubs despite Manchester United making him available for a free transfer to any side willing to take on the remainder of his £500,000-a-week contract.

ESPN's Mark Ogden reported Saturday that United, with support from the Glazer family ownership, has sought out potential suitors since the summer transfer window, when Ronaldo expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford, to no avail.

The update comes after United announced Ronaldo would be left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after refusing to come on as a substitute during Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

He then left the pitch prior to the final whistle.

"We will miss him tomorrow," United manager Erik ten Hag told reporters Friday. "It's a miss for the squad but it's important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important. He remains an important part of the squad."

Ronaldo, 37, has started just two of United's 10 Premier League matches so far this season. He's recorded two goals and one assist in 12 appearances (six starts) across all competitions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted a statement Thursday on Instagram:

Ronaldo on Instagram #mufc pic.twitter.com/Fui1b1b74o

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 20, 2022

Ronaldo is expected to remain in a headline role for Portugal at the men's FIFA World Cup next month despite his limited club involvement, and United are hopeful his play in the tournament can create more interest heading into January's winter transfer window, per Ogden.

If a full transfer can't be found—Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal is the only one to even make an inquiry so far—it's also possible the forward could be loaned out at a reduced rate for the rest of the term, according to Ogden.

Ronaldo's contract with United is set to expire in June.

Meanwhile, a victory over the Blues on Saturday would push the Red Devils into fourth place in the Premier League table.