Man City denies Ronaldo's statement
In an interview on November 13, Ronaldo said that he was "very close to Man City", before changing his mind in 72 hours to choose Man Utd, after leaving Juventus in the summer of 2021. The 37-year-old superstar also quoted a quote. Coach Pep Guardiola that "Man City tried hard to recruit him". In the end, Ronaldo chose Man Utd because "his heart told", and took advice from his old teacher Alex Ferguson.
But according to ESPN sources from Man City, the above statements are false because they do not properly reflect the club's interest in Ronaldo. At that time, the Etihad Stadium team only cared about Ronaldo moderately.
The Daily Mail also cited an unnamed source from Man City, that it was this team that withdrew from the potential Ronaldo deal, not because he actively gave up. This source confirms that Man City is interested in Ronaldo in the summer of 2021, but only to the same extent as Chelsea are interested in the Portuguese superstar in the summer of 2022 when the owner Todd Boehly wants to recruit Ronaldo, but is vetoed by coach Thomas Tuchel
"Man City had a squad full of champions at the time, and we didn't need distractions in the dressing room," the source of the Daily Mail said.
In the summer of 2021, Man City needs strikers, because they cannot recruit Harry Kane. But they just want Ronaldo as a substitute in the squad, and have to accept less playing time. Man City also do not want to pay Ronaldo higher than Kevin de Bruyne - who receives $ 413,000 per week, the highest in the team.
Man Utd entered the negotiation with a commitment for Ronaldo to play a more important role professionally, and is ready to pay a weekly salary of $ 594,000. This is considered the reason why Shaun Goater - coach of a youth team Man City - once said his team had "tricked Man Utd into buying Ronaldo".
Man Utd has also denied Ronaldo's criticism of Carrington headquarters has not changed since he left the team to go to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019. The "Red Devils" source said that they spent money to upgrade training grounds, Restaurant, swimming pool and gym improvements over the past 12 months.
Man Utd have yet to issue a penalty for Ronaldo, but it is likely he played his last game for the team when he said he "disrespected coach Erik ten Hag". The second half of Ronaldo's interview with Morgan will be broadcast on the evening of November 17, London time.
