Manchester United

Manchester United are open to a loan move for Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic during the January transfer window, according to Mark Ogden of ESPN.

The club could look to strengthen its attack after parting ways with Cristiano Ronaldo last week.

Newcastle United and Arsenal have also reportedly been made aware of Pulisic's availability when the window opens. Per Ogden, the United States international is hoping to find a new club after seeing limited playing time with Chelsea this season.

Pulisic has appeared in 13 of Chelsea's 14 Premier League matches this season, but he's made only three starts and ranks 16th on the team in minutes. He has one goal and one assist in league play this year, adding one assist in four Champions League appearances.

The 24-year-old had been seeking a move away from the club during the summer window, but Chelsea were "reluctant to sanction a move" for the forward after losing several other attacking options, per James Olley of ESPN.

There would still be a fight for playing time at Manchester United alongside Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, but Pulisic could get a fresh start with a new location after an up-and-down career with Chelsea.

Newcastle United also have quality wing options in Allan Saint-Maximin and the red-hot Miguel Almirón, although Pulisic could rotate in for a squad that is surprisingly in third place in the Premier League table.

First-place Arsenal could also use more help offensively as it tries to compete for a championship.

Despite Pulisic's slow start to the year, he's proved himself in the past with six league goals in 22 appearances (13 starts) last season. He scored nine EPL goals with four assists in 2019-20 before helping Chelsea win the Champions League title in 2021.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is ready to move on from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rob Dawson of ESPN reported Ten Hag informed the United board he does not want Ronaldo to play another game for the club after the disgruntled striker's comments in an interview with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo told Morgan he does not respect Ten Hag and has had issues with other executives at the club.

"Manchester United tried to force me out," Ronaldo said on Piers Morgan Uncensored. "Not only the manager, but the other two or three guys who are around the club [at the senior executive level]. I felt betrayed. I don't care, people should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed. I feel that some people didn't want me here, not only this year but last season, too."

The Premier League does not resume for more than a month to allow for the World Cup to take place in Qatar, which gives United ample time to figure the situation out. The club plays only two league games between now and the start of the January transfer window.

Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in August 2021 after nine years away from the club where he emerged as a global superstar, but his second tenure has been disappointing. Despite Ronaldo scoring 24 goals in his first season back in Manchester, the team went from finishing second place in the Premier League table prior to his arrival to seventh.

In the summer, Ronaldo publicly requested to leave so that he could play for a team in the UEFA Champions League after United failed to qualify, making his assertion that the club has tried to force him out somewhat puzzling.

A move didn't come to fruition, and Ronaldo returned to the team, but Ten Hag reprimanded Ronaldo for leaving a July friendly against Rayo Vallecano without permission, and the situation reached a head last month when the striker refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.

Ronaldo's interview with Morgan became public shortly after United pulled off a 2-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday—a game Ronaldo missed with a purported illness. The timing stoked not only the ire of Ten Hag but also players on the team, which could further complicate Ronaldo's potential return.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued to levy a number of accusations against Manchester United, as a new clip of his incendiary interview with Piers Morgan was released on Monday.

In it, the veteran forward accused senior officials of not believing him over the summer when he told them his daughter Bella was dealing with medical issues.

"They didn't believe that something was going wrong."

Cristiano Ronaldo has told Piers Morgan he felt doubted by his Manchester United bosses when he told them his newborn daughter was sick.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/Y2jDLFR62J

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 14, 2022

I spoke with the director and president of Manchester United. And [they] kind of didn't believe that something was going wrong which was making me feel bad," he said. "They believed, but in the same way, I'm never going to change the health of my family for football. Never. Now, or 10 years behind or forward.

It's something that really hurt me because they doubted my word that I struggled, especially Bella and Geo [Ronaldo's wife, Georgina Rodriguez] we had one week in hospital because Bella had a big problem. I didn't go to preseason because of that, because I wasn't allowed to leave my family in case something happened to do preseason. I don't think that's fair, to leave my family for preseason, and that's why I didn't go.

According to Luke Brown of The Athletic, Manchester United officials have privately pushed back against Ronaldo's claims, countering that his "time off was sanctioned and [United Manager Erik Ten Hag] only referenced 'personal reasons' during the tour so [as] not to divulge details, while senior officials absolutely believed the reason Ronaldo gave for his absence."

Ronaldo also alleged in his interview with Morgan that United's owners, the Glazer family, don't have the club's best interests at heart:

Cristiano Ronaldo says Manchester United's owners don't care about the club 😮 pic.twitter.com/vc5pPst89P

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 14, 2022

In clips from the interview that were released on Sunday, Ronaldo said he felt "betrayed" by Ten Hag and several other people at the club and added that he didn't have any respect for the manager because he felt he wasn't shown any respect.

"Some people, I feel, don't want me here," he said. "Not just this year, but last year too."

He also took aim at former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who spent part of last year leading the club.

"If you're not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United?" he said to Morgan. "I'd never even heard of him."

It's possible that Ronaldo is going scorched earth in an effort to make himself so toxic that United choose to rip up his contract and allow him to become a free agent. The 37-year-old pushed for a transfer over the summer, ostensibly hoping to land with a Champions League side, but wasn't moved and stayed at Old Trafford.

That has led to a drama-filled season, which included Ronaldo refusing to be subbed on during 2-0 win over Tottenham in late October, leaving the bench before the match concluded and the stadium altogether before his teammates returned to the locker room after the contest.

He was dropped from the team for the next match against Chelsea, but led the line in the club's win over FC Sheriff in the Europa League later that week. Ten Hag then went on to name Ronaldo as the captain for an early November matchup against Aston Villa.

But after the revelations and accusations Ronaldo has made against people across all levels of the club in the interview with Morgan, it's hard to imagine him suiting up for the club again. Whether United will seek a transfer, sever his contract altogether or keep him on the roster but off the team sheet remains to be seen. However, for the time being, the two sides will have a break from each other while Ronaldo is in Qatar with Portugal for the World Cup.

Manchester United are reportedly "furious" after Cristiano Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan where he criticized the club and manager Erik ten Hag, per Rob Dawson of ESPN.

Ronaldo said on Piers Morgan Uncensored that he believes he was being forced out of the club by Ten Hag and others at the executive level:

"I feel betrayed."

EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels like he's being forced out of Manchester United in an explosive interview.

90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/nqp4mcXHB0

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022

According to Dawson, Ronaldo and his representatives were actively seeking an exit from the team during the summer transfer window but were unable to find a new home.

Manchester United leaders are also upset at the timing of the latest interview, which was released after the club's 2-1 win over Fulham in the final match before the World Cup. Ronaldo didn't feature in the match and has made just four starts in the English Premier League this season, tallying only one goal in 10 total appearances.

In October, the 37-year-old was suspended for one match after leaving the pitch early as an unused substitute.

It's been a significant change from last season, when Ronaldo scored 18 goals with three assists in 30 league appearances (27 starts).

After the turmoil of this campaign, the forward said he does not respect his own manager.

"I don't have respect for him [Ten Hag] because he doesn't show respect for me," Ronaldo said in the interview, via Dawson. "If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."

The full Piers Morgan interview will be shown Wednesday.

In addition to the disrespect to the manager, Ronaldo also claimed the club has not made upgrades since Sir Alex Ferguson retired:

"Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero."

Don't miss Piers Morgan's 90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/VextyEu7f9

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022

The superstar played for Ferguson at Manchester United from 2003-09, winning three league titles with one Championship League trophy.

The club took offense to this statement as well, with Dawson reporting the recent changes.

"Sources told ESPN that the pool, canteen and recovery areas have all been revamped, while more than £200,000 was spent to build a state-of-the-art analysis and meeting room at the specific request of Ten Hag," Dawson wrote.

Ronaldo will now represent Portugal at the World Cup, but it's clear his time with Manchester United will not last too much longer.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar begins in seven days, and while Cristiano Ronaldo has his sights set on winning Portugal its first-ever World Cup title, he took the time to reflect on his season with Manchester United.

In a candid interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said he feels "betrayed" by the way Manchester United has treated him in his return this season and feels the club is trying to force him out:

"I feel betrayed."

EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo tells Piers Morgan he feels like he's being forced out of Manchester United in an explosive interview.

90 Minutes with Ronaldo. Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on TalkTV.@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/nqp4mcXHB0

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 13, 2022

Ronaldo opted to return to Manchester United during the 2021-22 season after departing the club for Real Madrid in 2009. He spent nine seasons with Los Blancos before joining Juventus in 2018.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner played one game for Juventus in 2021-22 before signing a two-year deal with the Red Devils in August 2021 with the option for a third year.

However, Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford hasn't gone as he expected. While he scored 24 goals across all competitions last season, Manchester United finished sixth in the Premier League and were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16.

In addition, the Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League this season and are instead participating in the UEFA Europa League. They are currently fifth in the Premier League table with an 8-2-4 record.

Ronaldo's desire to compete in the Champions League led to reports in July that he requested a transfer from Manchester United in order to "continue to play Champions League football" in 2022-23.

However, Ronaldo also told Morgan that he is unhappy with the lack improvements the club has made since he left in 2009.

"The progress was zero," Ronaldo said. "Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed."

Since July, things have unraveled further for Ronaldo, who has been relegated to the bench, making just four Premier League starts for the Red Devils this season. He has just one goal in 10 Premier League appearances, and tensions between himself and manager Erik Ten Hag continue to worsen.

The hostility between Ronaldo and Ten Hag appeared to hit its peak last month when the Portuguese international refused to come off the bench as a late substitute in a match against Tottenham and instead went back to the locker room.

That led to Ten Hag suspending Ronaldo for the club's next match against Chelsea, and he also did not train with the senior team during that suspension.

In his bombshell interview with Morgan, Ronaldo said he doesn't have respect for Ten Hag because the manager has no respect for him.

"If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you," Ronaldo told Morgan.

With the World Cup set to begin, Manchester United will not be back in action until Dec. 7 in a friendly against Cádiz CF.

It's hard to envision how Ronaldo can move forward with the club following his interview with Morgan. If he has played his final game with the Red Devils, it will be interesting to see whom he suits up for next.

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training with the club Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in training with multiple reports suggesting he will return to play this week after conversations with Erik ten Hag 📸 pic.twitter.com/QvT5554l4z

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 25, 2022

Ronaldo was omitted from the squad for United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. In their previous match, a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, he left the bench before full-time, and manager Erik ten Hag subsequently confirmed the Portuguese refused to enter the fixture as a substitute.

According to ESPN's Rob Dawson, Ronaldo and Ten Hag have maintained a "constant dialogue" following the Chelsea draw.

"Ten Hag happy issue has been dealt with and keen to move on," per Dawson.

This situation is driving home how Ronaldo needs Manchester United more than Manchester United need Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old is no longer so good to where he's automatically on the teamsheet for each and every match. His 18 goals in the Premier League last season don't paint an accurate picture of his full impact on the pitch, and now you can't count on him to regularly provide goals, either. He has one goal through eight league fixtures, and his 0.26 goals per 90 minutes are on pace to be his lowest since 2004-05, per FBRef.

Ten Hag basically holds all of the cards because Ronaldo can't afford to remain confined to the bench—or frozen out altogether—with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.

Even presuming he doesn't get dropped by Portugal coach Fernando Santos, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will want to be in form once the event rolls around next month. Both he and the national team will suffer if he's struggling for match fitness.

Earlier in his career, Ronaldo effectively had carte blanche because being one of the best players in the world affords you special privileges. Today, he's bound to come out on the losing end in any head-to-head battle with his manager.

As a result, the Portuguese is forced to make do for now until he can seek greener pastures in the January transfer window or upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received "no interest" from other clubs despite Manchester United making him available for a free transfer to any side willing to take on the remainder of his £500,000-a-week contract.

ESPN's Mark Ogden reported Saturday that United, with support from the Glazer family ownership, has sought out potential suitors since the summer transfer window, when Ronaldo expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford, to no avail.

The update comes after United announced Ronaldo would be left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after refusing to come on as a substitute during Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

He then left the pitch prior to the final whistle.

"We will miss him tomorrow," United manager Erik ten Hag told reporters Friday. "It's a miss for the squad but it's important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important. He remains an important part of the squad."

Ronaldo, 37, has started just two of United's 10 Premier League matches so far this season. He's recorded two goals and one assist in 12 appearances (six starts) across all competitions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted a statement Thursday on Instagram:

Ronaldo on Instagram #mufc pic.twitter.com/Fui1b1b74o

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 20, 2022

Ronaldo is expected to remain in a headline role for Portugal at the men's FIFA World Cup next month despite his limited club involvement, and United are hopeful his play in the tournament can create more interest heading into January's winter transfer window, per Ogden.

If a full transfer can't be found—Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal is the only one to even make an inquiry so far—it's also possible the forward could be loaned out at a reduced rate for the rest of the term, according to Ogden.

Ronaldo's contract with United is set to expire in June.

Meanwhile, a victory over the Blues on Saturday would push the Red Devils into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo refused to enter Wednesday's 2-0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur as a substitute before walking down the tunnel in the match's final minutes.

Ten Hag added he'd already given Ronaldo a warning about his behavior after a similar incident during a preseason match against Rayo Vallecano when he entered the locker room early, saying a coach must establish a "top sport culture."

"We are a team, and in the team, we have values and standards, and I have to control that," Ten Hag told reporters. "After Rayo Vallecano, I told [him] it was unacceptable, but he was not the only one, but that is for everyone, so when it's the second time, there will be consequences. I sent a warning at the start of the season, next time there has to be consequences. Football is a team sport, and you have to fulfill certain standards. And I have to control it."

United announced Thursday that Ronaldo won't be part of Saturday's matchday squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as a result of his midweek actions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted a statement on Instagram, saying "sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us:"

Ronaldo on Instagram #mufc pic.twitter.com/Fui1b1b74o

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 20, 2022

Ten Hag said Ronaldo is expected to rejoin the squad Monday ahead of a Europa League clash with Moldovan side FC Sheriff on Thursday.

"We will miss him tomorrow," the United boss said Friday. "It's a miss for the squad, but it's important for the attitude and mentality of the group, and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important. He remains an important part of the squad."

The 37-year-old Portuguese legend has tallied two goals and one assist across 12 appearances (six starts) for United this season.

His displeasure comes after a summer when he sought a transfer to a Champions League club that never materialized.

Pete Hall of iNews reported Thursday the Red Devils are now considering whether to release the forward if no deal can be found in January during the winter transfer window.

Ronaldo rejoined United in August 2021 after previously emerging as one of the world's most dynamic attackers during his first stint with the Premier League club from 2003 through 2009. He's also played for Sporting CP, Real Madrid and Juventus.

He's expected to feature prominently for Portugal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup starting next month in Qatar despite his limited involvement for United so far this term.

How he performs on the international stage could help determine whether there's significant transfer interest from marquee clubs come January.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn't start or play for Manchester United in the club's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, made headlines when he walked down the tunnel into the locker room before the final whistle blew.

Cristiano Ronaldo went to the tunnel before the game ended against Tottenham 😬

(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/nYwKlpKiSd

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 19, 2022

Manager Erik Ten Hag said it was a situation that would be addressed.

"I don't pay attention [to that] today, we will deal with that tomorrow," he told reporters. "The focus today was on a magnificent performance from all the 11 players. I have to correct myself, not just 11 players but the substitutes who came on, it was a squad performance. We deal with that [Ronaldo] tomorrow. What we see today is 11 players who defend and 11 who attack."

Ronaldo's actions became a primary storyline in what should have been a jubilant evening for a United side that moved just one point behind fourth-place Chelsea after the Blues posted a disappointing scoreless draw against Brentford.

United and Chelsea will face off on Saturday. If the aftermath of Ronaldo's actions on Wednesday were any indication, his situation will remain a talking point until that match:

What should Erik Ten Hag do about Ronaldo walking off before the match ended? #MUNTOT | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/DOPApy7UVz

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 19, 2022

"I'm sorry, but that is unacceptable from Ronaldo" 😡@GaryLineker and @MicahRichards weren't impressed with Man United's number 7 walking off before FT.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/1xNBgNWQmD

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 19, 2022

🗣️ "He clearly thinks he is bigger than the football club."

The Soccer Special panel react to Cristiano Ronaldo walking down the tunnel before full time 👀 pic.twitter.com/XiEuKp4nws

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 19, 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo is embarrassing and don’t even bother coming at me.

The greatest performance of Erik ten Hag’s reign so far and he tries to make it about himself because United played levels better without trying to accommodate him. Again.

Just becoming sad at this point…

— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) October 19, 2022

Ronaldo walks off down the tunnel.... I blame the Glazers. They've created this mess by not letting him go when Ten Hag said it was ok

— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 19, 2022

Ten Hag wanted him to go
Ronaldo wanted to go
Glazers said no
This was inevitable when you leave a power struggle between two strong characters with different ideas.
Weak leadership from the top again to save money
Ronaldo walking off is unacceptable though https://t.co/eNg4IvUWA2

— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 19, 2022

Ronaldo being a relentlessly bad teammate has traditionally been explained as him being all about winning/high standards etc.

His decline phase has hammered home that he's actually all about being the reason why his team wins.

In his prime that wasn't a problem. Now it is

— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) October 19, 2022

Ronaldo has been making headlines for the wrong reasons all season long after trying unsuccessfully to force a move away from Manchester United during the summer in an effort to get to a club playing Champions League football this season.

This week alone, he already raised eyebrows after being visibly unhappy with being subbed off in Sunday's scoreless draw against Newcastle in the 72nd minute.

Ten Hag defended that decision.

"We have to recover," he told reporters. "Four games in 10 days and especially for the strikers, I want to keep them fresh. I want to keep them all fresh, we have to rotate because of some problems we have. [Anthony] Martial is not available in this moment, then Rashy [Marcus Rashford] was not well, so he did not have energy for the whole game. We had to plan to cover for the four games because we want to win or at least get a result in all four games."

Ten Hag also acknowledged that the 37-year-old Ronaldo wasn't happy earlier in October when he didn't play at all in a 6-3 loss to Manchester City.

"Of course, he wants to play, and he's annoyed when he's not playing," he told reporters. "It's clear."

"He's really competitive, as we all know. He's not happy, of course, when he's not playing," Ten Hag added. "But I already said and, I have to repeat, he's training well, he has a good mood, he's motivated, and he gives his best. That is what we expect."

If Ronaldo's end game is to keep his name in the headlines and to cause drama around the club to force a move in January, he's at least succeeding in the first part of his plan.

Whether another club will be willing to pay his huge wages, regularly start a player who is still a solid poacher but offers little in the way of pressing off the ball—a style of play more and more clubs have gravitated toward in the modern game—and is always a threat to cause drama and unrest if he's unhappy is another question entirely.