Does anyone else feel like this is actually quite positive for United?
In terms of timing it is perfect. We have no games for a month now so this doesn’t cause any disruption in the dressing room ahead of a game. On top of that it comes on the back of a win gained through a piece of individual brilliance from a young emerging talent, so very little pressure on Ten Hag and if anything he looks vindicated for favouring youth.
For Ronaldo this adds pressure on his own performances just one week ahead of a World Cup, his last. It could also create a bit of an awkward situation with two of his international colleagues who are in favour at United. It’s hardly where you would want to see Ronaldo focusing his energy this close to a tournament if you’re a Portugal fan.
Due to this timing, there is zero chance this gets patched up between United and Ronaldo before the World Cup and in fact very unlikely to be reconciled at all. Ronaldo will have played his last game for the club and by releasing this interview he will only have accelerated United’s planning for a short-term replacement in January, which was much needed anyway.
Finally, the icing on the cake is his condemnation of United’s facilities and lack of investment. It sounds as if he stopped short of taking direct aim at the Glazers which is a shame but the correlation is obvious. You will now hear ABUs like Piers Morgan and Ronaldo’s pals in the media repeating this, as it’s the only argument he has made that really holds any water.
All in all this is not a bad outcome for United and gives us a good opportunity to make a clear statement demonstrating that no player is bigger than the club. A statement we should really have made a year ago by passing up on the opportunity to bring him back.