Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that followed Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive exit from the club, describing a 'week of turmoil' after the Portuguese star's critical interview with Piers Morgan.
Speaking on the Brazilian Charla Podcast, Fred recalled how manager Erik ten Hag had already informed the squad that Ronaldo would be leaving before the interview aired. 'Before a match, Ten Hag said that Ronaldo was going to leave. Fair enough, there was nothing we could do,' Fred said.
Chaos after the interview
Fred detailed the moment the team discovered Ronaldo's comments. 'After the game, when the plane landed, the club's communications staff turned off aeroplane mode and saw that he had given that interview in which he was highly critical of the club,' he said.
'Then everyone went wild. It was chaos, people pacing back and forth. It was madness. [Ronaldo] said things he shouldn't have, and it was a week of turmoil.'
Criticism of Ten Hag
While Fred admitted Ronaldo went too far with his comments, he was blunt in his assessment of Ten Hag's man-management. 'Tactically, Ten Hag was very good, but with the group, he was a piece of s***,' Fred said.
'He argued with everyone. He argued with me, with Cristiano Ronaldo, with Casemiro, with Rashford. Only the Dutch players got to play. He was a coach who played his favourites.'
Fred acknowledged Ten Hag's tactical abilities but suggested his approach alienated Ronaldo. 'But tactically, he was one of the best I've ever worked with. He wanted the team to run, but Cristiano was getting older. He dropped Cristiano and that led to a falling-out.'
Ronaldo's current situation
The interview ultimately led to Ronaldo's departure from United, and the 41-year-old has since faced a similar fallout with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo left the national team squad after being an unused substitute in a 2-1 win away to Norway in the Nations League on September 27. He has vowed to 'tell the truth' about the bust-up in due course.
After a subsequent 2-1 home win over Norway, Jesus insisted the door remained open for Ronaldo to return to international duty, though not as a regular starter. 'If he wants to, he'll return to the national team,' Jesus said.
'We can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who's going to decide. In my first call-up, I said, 'I need you, I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing, I need you.' And now I'm saying the same thing.'
