Manchester United terminate Cristiano Ronaldo contract with immediate effect after explosive interview

Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United with immediate effect after club and player agreed to terminate his contract.

Manchester United had begun a process that could have led to Ronaldo being sacked following an explosive interview with Talk TV earlier this month in which he had accused the club of “betraying” him and said he had “no respect” for his head coach Erik Ten. Hag. Instead of his employers unilaterally forcing him out of the club, the 37-year-old has agreed to terminate his contract, a move that will undoubtedly cast a shadow over his preparations for the World Cup, where Portugal kicks off on Thursday.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” said the club in a statement. “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.”

Ronaldo’s contract had been due to expire at the end of the season but he will now be searching for his fourth club in a little over four years. The record goalscorer in men’s international football had rejected a sizeable offer from a Saudi Arabian club but CBS Sports revealed in the summer that a rival suitor in the country would be interested in his services if he left Old Trafford in January. That is understood to still be the case.