Cristiano Ronaldo had a terrible World Cup after Portugal were knocked out by Morocco while the former Manchester United star was relegated to a spot on the bench by boss Fernando Santos
Cristiano Ronaldo has come under fire from Fabio Capello (Image: ANP via Getty Images)
Fabio Capello has torn into Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal by claiming that the superstar forward is ‘arrogant’ and ‘cumbersome’.
It comes after a disastrous World Cup for the 37-year-old, who scored just once in the tournament – a penalty against Ghana in the opening match.
After a bust-up with manager Fernando Santos, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was relegated to a spot on the bench as his replacement Goncalo Ramos netted a hat-trick against Switzerland.
Portugal were sent home in the next round, though, as Morocco landed victory with Ronaldo on the bench once again and the free agent – after his Manchester United contract was ripped up – has been criticised for his performances at the World Cup.
But perhaps the strongest verdict has come from former England boss Capello, who blasted the veteran star. “Ronaldo brought it onto himself and for what he’s done in his career, it’s a shame,” he said.
“As a player, he can’t be questioned, but he was arrogant. He offered himself without finding any club that would believe in him; he’s become a bit cumbersome for a team.”
Cristiano Ronaldo had a disastrous World Cup with Portugal (Image: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
Ronaldo is currently looking for a new club after his contract at United was mutually terminated. It came just days after an explosive interview given to Piers Morgan where he took shots at the club, Erik ten Hag and the owners.
Saudi side Al Nassr have so far tabled the only concrete offer – a contract worth a whopping £183million. However, the ex-Real Madrid star has yet to put pen to paper as he appears to hold out for a European club.
Ronaldo is desperate to win the Champions League at least one more time to add to his current total of five European medals.
Man Utd fans make Cristiano Ronaldo feelings clear with change to familiar chant
Manchester United fans made it clear during Tuesday night’s win over Nottingham Forest that they have already moved on from Cristiano Ronaldo following his Old Trafford exit
Manchester United fans have already moved on from Cristiano Ronaldo after his acrimonious Old Trafford exit.
In their first match at Old Trafford since his departure, supporters adapted the Portuguese superstar’s ‘Viva Ronaldo’ chant to instead pay homage to teenage hotshot Alejandro Garnacho during their comfortable win over Nottingham Forest.
Ronaldo, 37, returned to Old Trafford last summer, but his dream homecoming quickly turned sour. The veteran was already angling for a move away before the appointment of Erik ten Hag. And after a string of public strops this season, Ronaldo slammed Ten Hag and the club hierarchy in an explosive, unsanctioned interview with Piers Morgan less than a fortnight before his exit was confirmed.
Ronaldo, who was a fan favourite across his two spells at Old Trafford, has left United light on attacking options in the wake of his departure, which came after the two parties reached a mutual agreement to tear up the final six months of the lucrative contract he penned last summer.
But Ten Hag’s side had more than enough firepower to outgun Forest as they resumed their Premier League campaign with a 3-0 win on Tuesday night. Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred were all on target in the commanding win – and United fans took the opportunity to show Ronaldo that they have found a new hero by signing Garnacho’s name.
The Old Trafford hotshot, 18, has already made a major impression this term. Garnacho, who replaced Antony for the final 25 minutes of the clash against Forest, scored a vital later winner against Fulham before the World Cup break and has clocked up a number of impressive cameos since being integrated into the fold.
Manchester United fans chanted for Alejandro Garnacho rather than Cristiano Ronaldo in the win over Nottingham Forest ( Image: Matthew Ashton/AMA)
And Garnacho is now set to be serenaded with the same chant that has been associated with Ronaldo for over a decade.
While Garnacho is primed for a more substantial role during the second half of the season, Ten Hag is hoping to acquire another attacker to help boost United’s top-four hopes after giving Ronaldo the green light to quit.
Rashford and Martial put Nottingham Forest to the sword and have impressed this season, but both have chequered injury records and were also on the fringes of the squad prior to Ten Hag’s arrival.
One player who will not be joining Ten Hag’s ambitious rebuilding project at Old Trafford is long-term transfer target Cody Gakpo. The PSV Eindhoven forward is set to join Liverpool after United’s bitter rivals stole a march in the race for the coveted Dutchman, who was tipped for a big January move after starring at the World Cup.
Source: dailystar.co.uk; mirror.co.uk
