Manchester United reportedly do not want to go as far as suing Cristiano Ronaldo following the attacker's controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
The 37-year-old spoke at length with Morgan on TalkTV and criticized multiple aspects of the Red Devils, whom he believes have made zero progress since he first left for Real Madrid in 2009.
Ronaldo was alleged to have informed Man United of his desire to leave over the summer, but the striker told Morgan that unnamed individuals at the club "betrayed" him and tried to force him out.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also hit out at Erik ten Hag and admitted that he had no respect for his manager, who has often named him on the bench this season.
Ronaldo is widely expected to have played his final game for Man United following the explosive interview, and a January exit could materialize if firm interest in his services arrives.
© Reuters
The Red Devils are believed to be looking at ways to terminate Ronaldo's contract, which is due to run until the summer, if he is found to have breached his terms.
The striker has also been threatened with legal action if Man United can prove that he has caused serious financial damage to the club with his comments, but according to ESPN, the Red Devils are keen to avoid the case getting that far.
The report adds that Man United have told Ronaldo that they would rather not sue him, but the Old Trafford outfit are not ruling out the possibility if he fights against a contract termination.
Man United are supposedly confident about terminating Ronaldo's deal on the grounds of gross misconduct, and they must give the Portugal international two weeks' notice of their intention to do so.
With Ronaldo currently away at the 2022 World Cup with Portugal, Man United are thought to be keen to conclude the process before they return to action against Burnley in the EFL Cup on December 21.
Portugal will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ghana in Group H on November 24 - also meeting South Korea and Uruguay in the section - and Ronaldo made a surprise appearance at a press conference on Monday.
© Reuters
The ex-Juventus and Real Madrid man took the opportunity to defend his interview with Morgan, while also referring to himself as "iron-clad" and "bulletproof".
"In my life, the best timing is always my timing. From your side it is easy to look at how we can choose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don't have to think about what other people think. I speak when I want," Ronaldo told reporters.
"The players know me really well for many years and know the type of person I am. It's an ambitious group that is hungry and focused. So I'm sure (the interview) won't shake the changing room's concentration and focus.
"You can help by not talking about me. I'm completely bullet-proof and iron-clad. If you ask other players about Cristiano Ronaldo I would be upset. If you want to ask him about the World Cup and the team, I would like you to do that."
Ronaldo has overcome illness in time to take on Ghana on Thursday, but he enters the World Cup having only hit three goals and two assists in 16 games for Man United this season.
Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon are considered the two most realistic destinations for Ronaldo should he leave Man United over the winter, with the Blues said to have performed a U-turn on their transfer stance.
Ben Knapton
