Manchester United legend Antonio Valencia has come to the defense of late striker Cristiano Ronaldo following the player’s acrimonious exit at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo left the club after months of speculation and leaks culminating in a poisonous revealing interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.
Among the many accusations Ronaldo made, he called Erik ten Hag a disrespectful person and even stated that he does not hold the United manager in high regard.
The 37-year-old also criticized United’s owners and his former teammates.
Erik ten Hag responded to Ronaldo’s accusations and set the record straight. He emphasized looking forward and beyond Ronaldo rather than living in the past.
Since leaving United, Ronaldo has lost his place in the Portugal national team and has yet to find a club willing to accept him and add him to their ranks.
Former United captain Valencia has given his opinion on the matter.
Valencia admitted that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner deserved more and should have come out in a more triumphant and glorious fashion.
The Ecuadorian said: “It was a shame Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United the way he did. A player like him should leave a club walking off the field to applause in a sold-out stadium. The people there loved him.”
“The interview you gave recently was unfortunate. He will have his reasons for saying what he said, but I felt very bad for the way he left the club. Hurts.”
Valencia added: “I hope everything goes well for him at his new club. I only wish Ronaldo the best.”
Valencia also gave their verdict on United’s current position in terms of the rebuilding of Ten Hag. He remarked that the club seems stagnant and suffers from a lack of progress. He also said it’s a shame the team can’t achieve meaningful consistency.
