Cristiano Ronaldo has almost certainly played his last game for Manchester United after an ‘explosive’ interview which ‘the whole world’s talking about’ (Piers Morgan’s words). ‘The biggest star that football has ever seen’ (Piers again) spills the beans on his cruel and incompetent employers in a two-part interview to be broadcast tonight and tomorrow. Fans will be left wondering how much is hype and where the truth and blame resides.

Many will see a star in decline

Ronaldo’s complaints range in seriousness from gripes about the food at Man U (no improvement since his first stint) to more significant criticism about the running of the club and its lack of a coherent strategy (exemplified by the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer). He also alleges that top figures at the club wanted him out and that he was shabbily treated when he failed to return to the club for pre-season training due to a family medical emergency. Ronaldo hints that his explanation wasn’t believed.

What are the fans to make of it all? No doubt some of Ronaldo’s criticisms are valid. Few of the faithful would dispute that Manchester United has drifted in recent years, lurching from one manager to the next. He’s probably right that just as fish rot from the head down, the opportunistic Glazers supposedly running the club are part of the problem. And current manager Erik ten Hag could perhaps have handled this proud and emotional man, and his not inconsiderable ego, more judiciously – though who would envy him that task?

On the other hand, Manchester United’s internal problems were hardly a secret when Ronaldo chose to rejoin, and it can be enormously difficult to make a great club great again even with substantial resources and a worldwide fan base. It took Liverpool 30 years and ten managers before they rediscovered the winning formula. Manchester United may have years to go yet.

The hero betrayed plot is unconvincing and looks a bit desperate. And overhyped: the truth is that while the Ronaldo affair may make for a few splashy headlines, the whole world is not talking about it. Many will see a star in decline needing to frame his story in a way that presents himself as positively as possible for future suitors. He clearly wants a few more years at the very top, which means the Champion’s League, for which he will need one of the super clubs to make a move for him.

If the consensus were to form that he is simply not a first team regular anymore, still capable of moments of brilliance but of questionable overall value to a finely tuned Champions League side, then his options will be limited. He could make a nostalgia move back to Sporting Lisbon or have a showbizzy last hurrah in the MLS. Or a last big payday in the Middle East.

It is admirable that Ronaldo wants to avoid that fate and carry on as a top player in the world’s best leagues for a while yet – and perhaps even reach 1,000 total goals. The best thing about him has always been his passion for the game and unquenchable thirst for more success. He clearly believes that he is still in his mid-twenties. It’s an inspiring attitude to life in a way, but at 37 perhaps a little jejune. Ronaldo is increasingly looking like a throwback to a time when people talked as much about individuals as teams. This is instead the age of tactics and Swiss Watch precision engineering when it comes to creating winning teams. Harmony and a balance of egos is required off the pitch as well as on – mavericks and loners, not to mention prima donnas (as many regard Ronaldo) are looking a little passé.

Despite Piers Morgan’s adulation not everyone regards Ronaldo as the greatest player in history. There have always been grumbles that his phenomenal statistical record was misleading, and that his on the field contributions didn’t advance his team’s fortunes as much as it appeared. But his reputation always survived through sheer force of personality, marketability, and relentless media attention.

That may not work this time. The Stretford End faithful will likely be unimpressed by a current player telling all – especially to Morgan, an Arsenal fan. Few will buy the grand betrayal narrative. Ronaldo might be right that senior figures at Manchester United want him out, but for the simple reasons that he is hugely expensive, past his peak, and difficult to deal with.

As for the club, Manchester United surely have a right of reply, especially when it comes to accusations of their callousness towards Ronaldo during his family emergency. But we may have to wait a while. So far, the cub has been cautious and dignified in their reaction to his claims and seem resigned to him leaving the club, if not keen for him to do so.

If further comment is made, I suspect it will be in the same tone as the late Queen’s response to Meghan Markle: ‘Recollections may differ’.

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