Cristiano Ronaldo interview: Portuguese star 'betrayed' by Manchester United; slams Erik ten Hag, Wayne Rooney

The Portuguese superstar did not hold back in a chat with Piers Morgan

Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels betrayed by the club in a scathing Sunday night interview with Piers Morgan in the United Kingdom. Ronaldo, set to head to the Qatar World Cup with Portugal, likely his last as a player given his age (37), said he was being forced out by United boss Erik ten Hag and others at the club. He even took shots at former teammate Wayne Rooney, questioned the club's evolution and facilities in what will likely mark the end of his career with the Red Devils as the January transfer window opens soon after the World Cup. 

Ronaldo made his return to England 14 months ago, but things have not gone as planned. The club has had three different managers, no trophies and was mired with inconsistent play than anything else. Ronaldo played 38 games last season for United and scored 24 times, but the club failed to win anything, settling for a Europa League spot. This season, ten Hag has seldom summoned the Portuguese veteran, who has often sat on the bench for important games. He has one goal in 10 Premier League games and three goals in just 16 appearances for the club, six of which have been in Europa League. With a high-energy system being used by the new manager that often requires pressing in attack, Ronaldo has been passed up for younger, more energetic players. 

Ronaldo said that he feels betrayed, but that comes after not reporting to camp on time in the preseason, reportedly trying to force a transfer, leaving the field early in one game and showing a lack of professionalism when it mattered most. When he left the bench early in October, the club ended up suspending him for a match.