Cristiano

Ronaldo, who left United to join Real Madrid in 2009, rejoined the Old Trafford club from Juventus in August 2021.

However, he had his contract terminated in November 2022 after he criticised the club and said he had “no respect” for then manager Erik ten Hag in a previous interview with Morgan.

In his latest interview with the broadcaster, the 40-year-old said: “I’m sad, because the club is one of the most important clubs in the world and a club that I still have in my heart.

“They don’t have a structure. I hope that changes in the present and future, because the potential of the club is amazing.

“They are not on a good path. And it’s not only about the coach and players, in my opinion… He [manager Ruben Amorim] is doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles are impossible.”

Amorim, who took charge of United in November 2024, led the club to last season’s Europa League final but they missed out on the trophy – and qualification for this season’s Champions League – as they lost to Tottenham.

They finished 15th in Premier League, their worst performance since the 1973-74 campaign in which they were relegated from the top flight.

They spent more than £200m in the summer but started this season slowly – including being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town.

Amorim appeared to be under pressure, but United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the Portuguese needed three years to prove he is a “great” coach.

In an interview in March, Ratcliffe said the club had “not performed at the level that has been expected” since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson as manager at the end of the 2012-2013 season, adding that some United players were “not good enough” and some were “overpaid”.

Recently, United have shown an improvement in form, winning three of their past four league games – including a victory at Liverpool – and are eighth in the table.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group took control of football operations after he bought a 27.7% stake in United in February 2024.

Since Amorim’s arrival, United have spent about £250m on new signings and while Ronaldo says they have “good players”, he feels that some of them “don’t have in mind what Manchester United is”.

“Manchester United is still in my heart,” added the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who won seven major honours with the club between 2003 and 2009.

“I love that club. But we have all to be honest and look for ourselves and say, ‘listen, they are not in a good path’.

“So, they need to change and it’s not only about the coach and players, in my opinion.”

Ronaldo’s contract at Old Trafford was terminated after an interview with Morgan in November 2022, in which he said he felt “betrayed” by United and that he was being forced out.

He added that he did not respect then-manager Ten Hag and criticised the Dutch boss again in September 2024, saying that United must “rebuild everything”.

Ronaldo signed a new contract last summer with Al-Nassr that expires in 2027 and he is expected to play for Portugal in the 2026 World Cup.

Asked by Morgan when he might retire, Ronaldo replied: “Soon. But I think I will be prepared.

“It will be tough, of course. But Piers, I prepare my future since [the age of] 25, 26, 27 years old. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure.”

When Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in 2022 he reportedly became the best-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177m.

His contract was due to end in June 2025 but he signed a new two-year deal – reportedly worth more than $400m (£298m) – which will keep him at the club beyond his 42nd birthday.

Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, who played against Ronaldo for many years during their time in Spain, has earned more than $600m (£447m) in pre-tax salary during his career, according to Bloomberg.

That includes $20m (£15m) in guaranteed annual pay since 2023, which is about 10% of Ronaldo’s income during the same period.

When he retires, 38-year-old Messi is set to get a stake in Inter Miami.

MANCHESTER UNITED are weighing up a cash-spinning mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia.

A trip to the Middle East could reunite the Red Devils with Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford on bitter terms to join Al-Nassr in 2022.

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United are holding early-stage talks with stakeholders while looking into possible dates and opponents.

But a face-off with CR7 would be the most lucrative prospect at a time when they’re crying out for funds.

United could stage midweek friendlies this season after failing to qualify for any European competition.

Losing May’s Europa League final to Tottenham meant a £100million reward fell by the wayside.

And with roughly £750m worth of debt weighing on Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s shoulders, United are being forced to get creative.

Their schedule thinned out even more with defeat to Grimsby Town in round two of the Carabao Cup.

SunSport exclusively revealed last month that AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Lazio and Sevilla – four big clubs who missed out on Europe – have also been scouted out as potential friendly opponents.

United’s new plan comes after they scrapped the idea of a fly-on-the-wall documentary, which could have earned them millions.

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And Ruben Amorim could be sold on a trip to the Middle East if it doubles up as a warm weather training camp in the winter months.

Ratcliffe has sacked up to 450 United employees as part of his ruthless efforts to get finances back on track.

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But he insists the issue had to be tackled head-on, telling the BBC in March: “We can’t put our head in the sand.

“We have to deal with the problem. And it’s a big problem, not a small problem.

“We are in the process of change and it’s an uncomfortable period and disruptive and I do feel sympathy with the fans.”

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WAYNE ROONEY has been encouraged to face Cristiano Ronaldo in the boxing ring in a football super fight.

Malik Scott, former coach of heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, suggested the fight, labelling such a bout a ‘global event.’

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Scott, 44, told CanadaCasino: “Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Wayne Rooney would bring more eyes to boxing, and I’m all for it.

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“Any time boxing gets more attention, it’s a good thing. I want people to enjoy the spectacle, not just critique it.

“Just enjoy the carnival. It would be a global event because these are high-level names that would draw huge numbers.”

Scott is no stranger to the world of football, having married fan-favourite CBS sports broadcaster Kate Abdo in September last year.

His prospective competitors were iconic teammates at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, making over 200 appearances together.

Their relationship was believed to have turned cold following Ronaldo‘s protests to the referee earning Rooney a red card in a 2006 World Cup quarter final, which Portugal would go on to win on penalties.

He also made headlines for his comments on the heated Messi vs Ronaldo debate, backing the Argentinian over his former teammate.

But earlier this week the England legend rubbished rumours of bad blood between the two on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

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Rooney, 39, said: “People think I hate him (Ronaldo).

“I love him. I think he’s an absolute genius and what he’s doing is incredible.

“I love Cristiano and playing with him. I don’t think people realise actually how close me and him were.”

While it seems that a boxing score-settler between the two is unlikely, it is not the only fight that Rooney has been tipped of late.

He was called out earlier this week by former Leeds United and Ireland international keeper Paddy Kenny.

Kenny is himself set to face former Prem footballer Curtis Davies at a charity event next month, and is keen to keep the ball rolling on his new boxing escapades.

SPORTING’S stadium underwent an incredible transformation during the summer.. but they’re STILL working on it with the 2025-26 season underway.

The iconic Portuguese ground – which was only built in 2003 for a cost of £150million – was given a bit of a facelift during the offseason.

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And it left the arena looking utterly unrecognisable – particularly after the entire pitch was ripped up and left looking like a building site.

Following the end of the 2024-25 season – in which Cristiano Ronaldo‘s old club won the league in no small part down to Arsenal new-boy Viktor Gyokeres‘ goals – Sporting got to work on the makeover.

Most-notably, the pitch was ripped up and replaced by a hybrid surface.

And it passed the first test with flying colours, as Primeira Liga officials gave it a 10/10 for the club’s 6-0 win over Arouca in their first home game of the season.

But it wasn’t just re-laying the pitch – the entire playing surface was LOWERED to allow the club to add 2,000 more seats around the base of the stadium.

That boosted the capacity from 50,095 to 52,095.

And that new feature – not ready for the Arouca battering – WILL be ready for the massive derby game against Porto on August 30 with seats now being installed.

The dugout area has been completely renovated, too – with the bench now boasted a capacity of 28 players and coaches.

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On top of that, Sporting have opened a new “Emerald Lounge” for corporate ticket holders.

Club chiefs also splashed out £15m on repurchasing the adjacent Alvalaxia entertainment complex earlier this month.

Their plan is to re-home their club museum – which features their most important trophies, including replicas of individual Ballon d’Or gongs won by former players, Ronaldo and Luis Figo.

For now, the exhibition has been moved inside the stadium and is open to the public until the permanent residence is completed.

There is more work to be done inside the stadium, still – with the big screens currently being installed.

For now, supporters have a tiny scoreboard displayed on advertising hoardings on the side of the pitch.

But in time, the plan is to install multiple big screens.

Their plan moving forward is to cash-in on their corporate lounges – renting them out on non-matchdays for private events.

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