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Manchester United ‘DISABLE Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims that they doubted his daughter was ill when he returned late for pre-season training’ and are baffled by his criticism of their Carrington training ground in a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan
- Cristiano Ronaldo accused Man United officials of a lack of compassion when his baby daughter Bella was hospitalized with bronchitis in July
- It caused him to miss United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia
- Portuguese claimed in his interview with Piers Morgan that United were ‘doubtful’ whether she was ill
- He said club officials ‘didn’t believe anything went wrong’
- Ronaldo and his partner Georgia Rodriguez lost Bella’s twin brother in childbirth
- United have refuted Ronaldo’s claims about their lack of compassion
Manchester United “feel Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of their handling of his pre-season tour absence is unfair” after the Portuguese star claimed the club “didn’t believe” his baby daughter was ill.
The 37-year-old missed United’s trip to Thailand and Australia after his daughter was hospitalized with bronchitis in July.
But in his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo sensationally accused United of doubting she was unwell after he returned late for training.
United are also reportedly baffled by Ronaldo’s criticism of the training facilities at Carrington, where the dining room and pool have recently been refurbished.
In his interview, which will be released in full on Wednesday and Thursday, Ronaldo said: “I spoke to the directors and president of Manchester United and they didn’t believe anything was going wrong, which made me feel bad.”
“They believed it, but it’s something that really hurt me because they doubted my words.
“We spent a week in hospital because Bella had big problems and I didn’t go to the pre-season because of that.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments to Piers Morgan about Manchester United doubting his baby daughter was unwell in hospital during pre-season have been refuted by club officials
Ronaldo says United’s leaders “didn’t believe anything was going wrong” when he told them
Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez tragically revealed their newborn son had died in childbirth on April 13, and three months later his twin daughter was also hospitalized
“Because I wouldn’t leave my family if something happened to do a pre-season because I didn’t think it was fair to leave my family.
“That’s why I didn’t go.”
But according to the Manchester evening newsUnited officials counter Ronaldo’s comments, saying they did show compassion at the time.
Portuguese captain and partner Georgina Rodriguez, 28, revealed that their newborn son had died in childbirth on April 18, but his twin daughter Bella survived.
Tributes poured in from the football world after the pair shared their heartbreaking news, including of United’s arch rivals Liverpool breaking into a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone after a minute of applause.
Rodriguez envisioned going on a summer vacation with the family, holding daughter Bella
Ronaldo revealed that he keeps his son’s ashes close to his father’s in a chapel at his home
Ronaldo and Rodriguez also received a personal message of condolence from the royal family.
However, Bella spent time in hospital with bronchitis when she was just three months old, which resulted in Ronaldo staying home instead of going on tour with his teammates.
Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes communicated with United chief executive Richard Arnold and director of football John Murtough over the summer before reporting for pre-season on July 25.
Ronaldo’s camp informed a reporter over the summer that they were impressed with Arnold’s compassion for the situation.
Georgina shares daughter Alana, three, with Cristiano, and the Manchester United star also has son Cristiano Jr, 11, and twins Eva and Mateo, four
Ronaldo (left) believes the grief over the loss of his son has brought the whole family closer together
In April, they confirmed the death of a baby boy as “the greatest pain” but said the baby girl survived
Ronaldo’s teammates only became aware of the Morgan interview when they flew back to Manchester from London after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Fulham, their last game before the World Cup.
There is growing belief that he has played his last game for the club and will leave in January. United looked for ways to terminate his contract early.
Sportsmail revealed that United’s lawyers are looking into ways to fire Ronaldo after he said in the interview that he felt betrayed by the club and had no respect for manager Erik ten Hag.
They will watch the full interview, which will air on Wednesday and Thursday, and “will consider their response after the full facts are established.”
Another option being considered is for United and Ronaldo to agree to tear up his £500,000-a-week deal so he can leave as a free agent.
Sportsmail revealed that Ronaldo and his agent Mandes met with Bayern Munich last week as he made plans to leave the club.