Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence on Man Utd's sacking of Erik ten Hag after 'betrayal'

Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted publicly for the first time after Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag and named Ruben Amorim as his successor. The Portuguese icon's compatriot started work at Carrington on Monday and wowed supporters in his first interview as manager yesterday (Friday).

Ronaldo left Old Trafford in November 2022 after an explosive row with Ten Hag, which he escalated through an explosive interview with Piers Morgan while still a member of the squad.

The 39-year-old striker blasted Ten Hag and other club figures, saying he felt “betrayed” by efforts to force him out and insisting he did not “respect” the Dutchman .

On his second departure from United, Ronaldo wished the club and its supporters well before joining Al-Nassr, sparking the boom in top-flight football in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo has scored 68 goals in 79 appearances for Al-Nassr, and he picked up his 134th and 135th goals in Portugal after winning his 215th cap against Poland last night.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's second goal was a spectacular bicycle kick, reminding the masses why he remains one of the world's most powerful strikers with his 40th birthday on the horizon.

After full-time, he was asked about Amorim's arrival at United, and Ronaldo offered further wishes to his former international and ex-club teammate.

“I wish him [Amorim] “All the luck in the world is what Manchester needs,” Ronaldo told reporters.

Excitement and anticipation is growing for Amorim's first match as United head coach, a Premier League trip to Ipswich Town on November 24.

The trip down Portman Road could prove tricky with Kieran McKenna's side on the verge of their first win since returning to the top flight at Tottenham.

But Amorim promised his followers that they would see clarity from day one, something that was lacking during most of Ten Hag's reign.

“I think you'll see an idea. You might like it or not, I don't know, but you'll see an idea,” the 39-year-old told MUTV.

“You'll see positioning. You'll see something that we want to get to that kind of level. You'll feel it.

“You have to know that it's like two training sessions before the first match. It's the best league in the world. But if I have to tell you something, [it’s that] you will see an idea. This I can guarantee.

Amorim added: “The most important thing for me right now is to create the principles, identity and character that we had in the past.”