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Cristiano Ronaldo Confirms Departure, Seeks New Challenges
Cristiano Ronaldo bids Manchester United and the fans the final bye as he believes leaving the club is the “right time” to seek a new challenge after his departure was confirmed with immediate effect.
The 37-year old’s Portuguese star released a statement shortly after Manchester City announce his exit from the on Tuesday. The statement reads “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.
His contract at Old Trafford has been terminated after the club and the player came to a mutual agreement to rip up the deal, which had the remainder of this season to run.
It was widely expected that Ronaldo would leave the club after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan was aired last week. In it, Ronaldo accused United of trying to force him out of the club and said he had no respect for manager Erik ten Hag.
A statement from United on Tuesday night read: “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.
“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”
READ ALSO: Ronaldo To Leave Manchester United
Ronaldo, 37, re-signed for United last summer, but his second stint at Old Trafford has come to an end after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, in which the player said he did respect Ten Hag and criticised the club’s owners, the Glazers.
Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United without receiving a pay-off from the club after his contract was cancelled with immediate effect.
Ronaldo’s deal was terminated by mutual consent on Tuesday, but sources have told the Manchester Evening News that he is leaving without having the remainder of his contract paid up.
The exit is described by a source as a “clean break” and means United will save £16million in wages that were due to the 37-year-old before his contract was due to expire at the end of June.
The decision to offer Ronaldo an exit route from the club came after his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan last week, in which he said he had been ‘betrayed’ by United, claimed he was being forced out of the club and said he had no respect for Erik ten Hag.
United’s response to Ronaldo’s comments was led by co-owner Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and Ten Hag, with all four said to be in agreement that there was no way back for the forward.
The decision to offer Ronaldo an exit route from the club came after his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan last week, in which he said he had been ‘betrayed’ by United, claimed he was being forced out of the club and said he had no respect for Erik ten Hag.
United’s response to Ronaldo’s comments was led by co-owner Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and Ten Hag, with all four said to be in agreement that there was no way back for the forward.
Ten Hag has placed great emphasis on team spirit this season, so when he saw the contents of Ronaldo’s interview it is understood he felt the player had to leave the club.
Ronaldo is now a free agent with immediate effect and can sign for a new club straight away. There are no clauses in his exit deal, with the departure described as “no strings attached”.
The player is currently preparing to represent Portugal at the Qatar World Cup.
