Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United with immediate effect, the club have confirmed in a 67-word statement.
Ronaldo’s exit has been agreed by mutual consent although it is unclear at this stage if the 37-year-old Portugal star has been sacked or received any compensation for the remaining seven months of his £500,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford.
United’s lawyers have been looking to tear it up since Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan aired in two parts last week.
A terse statement released on Tuesday evening read: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
‘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 released his own statement following the news, writing: ‘Following conversations with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to end our contract early.
‘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.’
Manchester United announce Cristiano Ronaldo has left the club by mutual consent
Ronaldo criticised the club in a two-part bombshell interview with Piers Morgan last week
Ronaldo’s position at the club became untenable after he criticised the club, the Glazers, manager Erik ten Hag and his team-mates in the interview.
United wanted to deal with Ronaldo as swiftly as possible and took just four days to show him the door. However, the club were reluctant to become embroiled in an unseemly court battle with one of their greatest ever players.
The Glazers, chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and Ten Hag decided that Ronaldo has burnt his bridges at Old Trafford and there is no way back for him at the club.
They rejected the idea of more disciplinary action after Ronaldo was dropped and made to train on his own last month for walking out during the win over Tottenham having refusing to come on as a substitute.
Ronaldo criticised Erik ten Hag and the Glazer family as well as saying he was ‘betrayed’
Ronaldo (right) has had a fractured relationship with…