(AFP) - Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo considered that the American Glazers family, which owns Manchester United, "does not care" about the club's success on the field and the achievement of championships, adding that the administration did not believe him when it came to the health of his family.
The role of the “Don”, winner of the Golden Ball five times, has declined in the “Red Devils” squad since Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag, who came from Ajax Amsterdam, took over last May and was punished this season for refusing to enter as a substitute in a match.
But the Portuguese star has returned to the team in recent weeks and took the armband in a 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa.
He missed the team during Sunday's 2-1 win over Fulham in the last match before a six-week break for the World Cup in Qatar, which starts on Sunday.
In an exciting interview with Talk TV on Sunday, Ronaldo, who made his name at Old Trafford in his early years between 2003 and 2009, said he felt "betrayed" by United and that he believed that prominent figures in the club were trying to overthrow him and that "I have no respect for him." (The coach) because he doesn't show me any respect."
In another part of the interview broadcast on Monday, he continued to wage war on the club he returned to last year. "The Glazers don't care about the club...professional sport. You know, Manchester is a marketing club. They'll get money from marketing - they don't really care about sport in my opinion."
"The fans are always right. I think the fans should know the truth, they should know that the players want the best for the club. I want the best for the club. That's why I came to Manchester United."
Ronaldo won three titles in the English Premier League and the Champions League in 2008, in addition to his first Golden Ball award that year, but the club has not won any title since 2017.
The 37-year-old striker said there were "things within the club" that prevented United from competing with rivals Manchester City and Liverpool and it would be difficult for them to return to the top in the next few years.
His former colleagues, Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, did not escape his words after criticizing his performance.
He said: "People can have their own opinions but they don't really know what's going on. For example, during training and at Carrington [training centre] or even my life...they have to listen to my point of view too. Because it's easy to criticize, but if You don't know the whole story, it's easy to talk."
"They are not my friends," he added.
In his interview, the former Real Madrid player explained why he did not go on United's pre-season tour to Australia in July.
He revealed that his Spanish partner, Georgina Rodriguez, and their daughter, Bella Esmeralda, were taken to the hospital due to a “major problem,” just months after the death of their newborn son, but he said that the club’s management did not believe him.
And the former Juventus player continued, "I will never put the health of my family before football. Never. Now, 10 years ago, or in the future, and this is something that really hurts me because they question my words."
And the club issued a statement on Monday, saying, "Manchester United has followed the media coverage regarding an interview conducted by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider a response after confirming the full facts," amid speculation that his career in the club is nearing its end and he will leave early next year in the winter transfer market.
The World Cup kicks off on Sunday, and Portugal is in Group H, along with Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea.