Ronaldo speaks out: The key issues

Why has Cristiano Ronaldo spoken out now and what will his headline-grabbing interview mean for his future at Manchester United? We tackle the big talking points…

Why has Ronaldo spoken out now?

There is something ironic about the timing of Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan, given the news about the 37-year-old’s disgruntlements came just a matter of hours after Manchester United’s new young star Alejandro Garnacho had announced himself in the Premier League with a wonderful last-minute winner at Fulham.

Eighteen-year-old Garnacho is part of the club’s future. Ronaldo, an icon from the past and an increasingly fringe figure in the present, overshadowed the Argentinian’s big moment. United have worked hard to try to merge the two eras but this was a sharp contrast.

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Ultimately, this was a message Ronaldo wanted to issue with the Premier League now paused for the World Cup. The comments won’t immediately impact United’s performances on the pitch and, with Ronaldo on Portugal duty, there will be no awkward moments around the training ground, either – although his compatriots Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot will be with him in Qatar and his international colleagues may not appreciate their campaign being turned into the ‘Ronaldo show’.

This story will drive headlines and fan debate right through the World Cup and into the January transfer window, by which point Ronaldo will hope to have produced a reminder of his ability on the pitch on the world stage to either re-assert his standing at Old Trafford or advertise his talents to other suitors.