Why does Cristiano Ronaldo want to leave Man Utd?

All was well in Manchester United’s world as their 2022/23 campaign ground to a halt thanks to the Qatari World Cup.

Supporters were buoyant after teenager Alejandro Garnacho had just handed the Red Devils a 2-1 victory over Fulham with a last-gasp effort at Craven Cottage. The teenager is the talk of the town right now, but Cristiano Ronaldo ensured that it was he who dominated the headlines despite – to iShowSpeed’s dismay – not making the trip down to London.

We’ve all seen it, right: the interview.

“Jaw-dropping” and “explosive” in the eyes of interviewer Piers Morgan, Ronaldo’s discussion with the infamous British journalist has all but eliminated any chance of seeing the all-time great in a United shirt again.

Despite a productive season last time out upon his return to Old Trafford, Ronaldo has been keen to leave the club for a second time since the summer. But why does he want out? Here are a few reasons why.

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag entered the poisoned chalice in the summer in a bid to rebuild a declining supergiant. The task at hand was and remains an almighty one, and he certainly hasn’t been helped by Ronaldo’s antics – walking down the tunnel early against Tottenham, for example.

The 37-year-old understandably isn’t at the forefront of Ten Hag’s plans and the forward, who admittedly carried the club at times last season, has seen his minutes dwindle in 2022/23. Ronaldo’s racked up 525 Premier League minutes thus far, scoring just once.

The player’s relationship with the Dutchman has been frosty throughout his tenure, and it all come to a head during his interview with Morgan for TalkTV.

“I don’t have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn’t show respect for me,” Ronaldo said. “If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”

Eek.

Perhaps this is the key reason why Ronaldo wanted to leave the club in the summer, but the 37-year-old simply hasn’t grasped that this is exactly why the likes of Ten Hag and John Murtough were brought into the club: to oversee a revolution.

United’s sub-par facilities in comparison to their domestic competitors have been highlighted by Gary Neville on several occasions, and Ronaldo, upon his return, was seemingly also taken aback.

The Portugal international, who lifted the Champions League with the club in 2008 as well as three Premier League titles, lamented the club’s lack of evolution since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

“Nothing had changed,” he said. “I love Manchester United. I…