Gary Neville: 'Manchester United must terminate Cristiano Ronaldo's contract'

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has said that the 20-time English champions must terminate Cristiano Ronaldo's contract following his explosive interview.

The first part of Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV aired on Wednesday evening, with the second instalment set for Thursday night at 8pm.

The 37-year-old has been scathing in his criticism of Man United, including their owners, and current head coach Erik ten Hag.

Neville does not believe that there is a way back for Ronaldo, with the pundit fully expecting the club to terminate his contract as soon as possible.

"No, and l don't think he wants a way back. He wouldn't have done this interview if he wanted a way back. He knew it would bring the headlines it has and be the end of his Manchester United career," Neville told Sky Sports News.

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"I'm wondering what Man Utd are doing because the reality of it is they know they have to terminate Cristiano's contract or they basically open up a precedent so any player can criticise them in the future," added Neville.

"I agree with some of the things Cristiano has said and many Man Utd fans will agree with many things Cristiano has said but the reality is if you're an employee within a business and say those things your employment has to terminate and Man Utd have to do that in the next few days.

"Cristiano probably wants that as well but it didn't need to end like that. They could have come together a couple of weeks ago and navigated a pathway through what could have potentially been choppy seas to the shore but it's not happened, they've both basically backed themselves into a corner.

"I live in the game of criticism and know I have to accept it, and I get plenty of it back. I love all my teammates I played with, including Cristiano.

"I'm not against Ronaldo - far from it. I couldn't have any more admiration for him, I couldn't have any more respect for him. He's the greatest player I've ever seen and he's the most talented player I ever played with.

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"I saw Cristiano's comments and I accept criticism. I would still shake Cristiano's hand - he may not shake mine! But I don't carry things forward."

Ronaldo slammed Neville during his interview, claiming that the former right-back had only been critical of him in order to become "more famous".

"We're not ever having dinner together. To listen as ex-colleagues or teammates criticise you, when they only see one point of view," said the forward.

"It's easy, it's easy to criticise, I don't know if you have a job in television that they must criticise to be more famous. I really don't understand it. It's hard when you see people who was in the dressing room with you criticising that way.

"I think they take advantage of that because they are not stupid. I'm the number one followed guy in the world. It's not by coincidence."

Ronaldo, who is currently with the Portugal squad preparing for the World Cup, has a contract with Man United until the end of the season, but he is widely expected to leave Old Trafford at the start of 2023.