Rio Ferdinand has said that he is unable to defend former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese's explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo, amongst other things, said that he did not "have respect" for current Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, in addition to criticising Ralf Rangnick, Wayne Rooney and the club as a whole.
Ferdinand has been one of Ronaldo's biggest supporters this season during a number of controversies, with the former Man United captain even speaking out in favour of his former teammate following the 37-year-old's decision to refuse to enter the field against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
However, the Englishman has admitted that it is impossible to defend the Portugal international's interview, which came after the club's 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League.
Ferdinand has said that there is now no way back for Ronaldo at Old Trafford due to his criticism of Ten Hag.
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"You can't sit here and defend that from Cristiano Ronaldo. Deep down and I know it for a fact, this has all been manufactured for one thing - and that's for him to leave the club," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with FIVE podcast.
"This love affair with Man United that Cristiano has had is over in my eyes. I don't feel there's anyway back, I don't feel the club will take him back and I don't think that he wants to come back.
"This is all manufactured for that reason. Up to this interview I would defend him, and say the club have a big responsibility to communicate better.
"I played in dressing rooms with [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Jaap Stam, four players who did less than this and never put the red shirt on again.
"When you say you don't respect the manager, I don't think there is anyway back. How are the club going to allow Ronaldo to come back and undermine their current manager? They can't."
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Ronaldo, who is preparing to represent Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, has a contract with Man United until the end of the season, with the deal due to officially expire at the end of June.
The forward is believed to have informed the club at the start of July of his desire to leave over the summer to continue playing Champions League football.
However, there was not an obvious suitor during the summer window, which led to him remaining at Old Trafford past the deadline.
Ronaldo has struggled to make his mark for the 20-time English champions this season, though, only managing three goals in 16 appearances in all competitions, with just one of his strikes coming in the Premier League.
Matt Law
