Manchester United have announced that Cristiano Ronaldo has left the club by mutual agreement with immediate effect.
The 37-year-old's future at Old Trafford has been under scrutiny ever since Erik ten Hag's arrival in the summer, but the speculation reached its peak following an explosive interview Ronaldo carried out earlier this month.
Just hours after Man United had won their final game before the World Cup break, quotes from an interview Ronaldo conducted with Piers Morgan were released during which he launched a scathing attack on both the manager and the club.
In it, Ronaldo claimed that the club had not progressed at all since he first left in 2009, while also insisting that he does not respect Ten Hag, having fallen down the pecking order under the Dutchman.
After the complete interview was released last week, Man United confirmed that they would take "appropriate steps" against the five-time Ballon d'Or winner once they had gathered all of the facts.
Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 22, 2022
The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford.#MUFC
The club have now confirmed that they have parted company with Ronaldo by means of a mutual agreement, meaning that the leading goalscorer of all time is now a free agent.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect," read a statement from the club.
"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 also released his own statement following the news, saying: "Following talks with Manchester United, we've mutually agreed to end our contract.
"I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. It feels like the right time to seek a new challenge. I wish Man Utd all the best".
Ronaldo is currently with Portugal at the World Cup, where he will be hoping to lead his nation to their first taste of glory in the competition.
© Reuters
Portugal begin their campaign against Ghana on Thursday, with the now-clubless Ronaldo expected to start that game after missing Man United's last two outings and his country's final warm-up match through an unspecified illness.
A goal for the former Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid and Juventus man would see him become the first player in history to score in five separate World Cups, as well as increasing his record tally of international goals.
However, at club level he will now be seeking a new club for the remainder of the season and beyond, with Man United cutting ties with a player who has scored 145 goals in 346 appearances for them over two spells.
Twenty-four of those goals came in 38 appearances last season as he returned to the club after a 12-year absence, but he has scored just three times in 16 outings this season having been reduced to a bit-part role under Ten Hag.
The five-time Champions League winner refused to come on as a substitute during a match against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season, instead leaving the stadium early.
© Reuters
Reports have also suggested that Man United might also look at the possibility of suing Ronaldo over his interview, although that now appears unlikely after the decision to mutually part ways.
The Portugal international has been linked with a host of clubs since his position at Man United became untenable following his interview, during which he insisted that there were many interested parties tracking him during the summer.
Chelsea are one of the clubs thought to be considering a swoop for the new free agent, who also claimed during his interview that he did not know whether he would leave Man United before the end of his contract in the summer.
However, the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Roma are among the clubs to have distanced themselves from a move for the striker.
Barney Corkhill
