Piers Morgan believes that signing Cristiano Ronaldo is “exactly” what Arsenal needs to defeat Man City in the Premier League.
The TV host conducted an explosive tell-all interview with Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, with the first clips airing on Sunday night, in which Ronaldo accused the club of ‘betraying’ him and blasted manager Erik ten Hag, adding that he does not’ respect’ the Dutchman.
And Morgan, a close friend of the Portuguese, urged the Gunners, who are five points ahead of City as the World Cup approaches, to seize the opportunity and sign the 37-year-old forward in January to bolster their title bid.
Morgan took to Twitter after an Irish TV presenter said, ‘Presumably Piers Morgan is hoping Arsenal sign Ronaldo and play him up top in every game.’
‘Yes, actually,’ he wrote. He’s exactly what we’re looking for. @Cristiano and @gabrieljesus9 would get us there.’ The tweet, which was posted at 11 pm on Sunday, has already received 15,000 likes.
Morgan has also spoken about the pair’s close personal friendship, which helped him land the hugely controversial TalkTV interview.
‘I first interviewed Cristiano three years ago in Turin, and we ended up having a four-hour dinner,’ he told The Sun. We’ve become unlikely but very good friends since then. We communicate frequently via text and phone, and he has always been completely honest with me.’
Ronaldo’s incredible attack appears to have ended his Old Trafford career. He accused Ten Hag and United executives of attempting to force him out of the club, saying of Ten Hag, ‘I don’t respect him because he doesn’t respect me.’
‘Some people, not only the coach, but the other two or three guys, don’t want me here.’ Not only this year, but also last year. To be honest, I shouldn’t say that. But, listen, I’m not concerned. People should pay attention to the truth. Yes, I am feeling betrayed.’
Ronaldo missed United’s final pre-World Cup game against Fulham on Sunday due to illness, but Ten Hag will be furious that the 37-year-old veteran’s comments overshadowed the 2-1 win and Alejandro Garnacho’s injury-time goal.
The United manager thought he had reconciled with Ronaldo after the player was dropped and fined for refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month and then leaving before the game ended.
After apologizing, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was allowed back into the squad and was even named team captain against Aston Villa last week.
Ronaldo’s outburst, on the other hand, makes it almost impossible for him to stay at Old Trafford beyond the January transfer window, leaving United and Ten Hag with no choice but to find him a new club.
His teammates are said to be deeply disappointed by his comments on Sunday night and see them as a means to force his departure from Old Trafford, which they now believe is unavoidable. Ronaldo used the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager last season as an example of the club’s problems in the fiery interview. ‘I’d never heard of him.’ How are you going to manage Manchester United if you’re not even a coach?’
‘I don’t know why he criticizes me so badly, probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level,’ he said of former teammate Wayne Rooney.
‘I’m not going to say I’m better looking than him, which is true!’
United declined to comment last night. The club is believed to have learned about the interview as they prepared to fly back from their 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday.