Field Level Media
23 Nov 2022, 03:49 GMT+10
Cristiano Ronaldo has parted with Manchester United "with immediate effect," the Premier League club confirmed Tuesday.
The 37-year-old's future with United was in question after an interview in which said the club had made "zero progress" since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and thathe "doesn't respect" ten Hag.
His contract wasn't due to expire until June, but the club is not paying Ronaldo to leave early, according to multiple reports.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect," United said 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 is in Qatar preparing for Portugal's opening game against Ghana on Thursday.
"Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early," Ronaldo said in his own statement.
"I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
"I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future."
Ronaldo rejoined United from Juventus in 2021, but had made it clear that he wanted to transfer with his role being greatly reduced this season. He was ordered to train on his own last month after refusing to come on as a substitute and walking off the pitch during United's win over Tottenham.
However, he said during an interview with Piers Morgan last week that he felt "betrayed," while also criticizing younger players on the club.
Ronaldo is now a free agent and able to sign with any club.
Meanwhile, Manchester United also confirmed on Tuesday that the Glazer family is exploring a potential sale of the club.
"The Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club," the statement read.
"The process is designed to enhance the club's future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalize on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.
"As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company."
"This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club's commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club's men's, women's and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders."
The Glazer family has owned the club since 2005.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Zimbabwe Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Zimbabwe Star.
More InformationLONDON, UK: As of this month, it's officially illegal to buy disposable vapes anywhere in the United Kingdom. The new ban, aimed...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's upcoming presidential election has turned into a messy battle full of personal insults and scandals...
FLIN FLON, Manitoba: More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been forced to leave their homes because of wildfires,...
NEWBURYPORT, Massachusetts: Aboard a burning fishing boat more than 100 miles offshore, Robbie Roberge knew precisely what to do. He...
LONDON, UK: As global tensions rise and Europe's defense posture shifts, the UK is ramping up its military readiness with a 1.5 billion...
CHICAGO, Illinois: A simple blood test could help breast cancer patients get the proper treatment earlier, potentially halving their...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - A major international operation targeting online sextortion has resulted in the arrest of 22 suspects in Nigeria,...
Digital forum delegates from Mozambique, Kenya, and Zimbabwe have stressed the need for locally relevant and cooperative solutions...
Soldiers in the Sahel state have reportedly uncovered Ukrainian documents and drones in the possession of militants Ukrainian military...
BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- As a rare hush replaces the usual rustle of pages and scribbled notes, 13.35 million students in China...
In a dimly lit classroom of the Goma Technical Industrial Institute, 19-year-old Plamedie Byamungu leans over her desk, pen in hand,...
Under the scorching sun, rows of drip irrigation lines lay neatly across a stretch of sandy fields in Bir El Barka, a village in Trarza...