Ronaldo ‘torn between two clubs’ after Man United exit

Tuesday will likely be remembered as one of the most significant days in the recent history of Manchester United. 

The club first announced that they had agreed a mutual termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract, following the Portuguese star’s controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

That was then followed by the news that The Red Devils’ infamous owners, The Glazers, were to look for ‘strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth’.

The two announcements will likely both have significant implications on the club for the foreseeable future, with the latter especially welcomed by the club’s supporters.

For Ronaldo, the 37-year-old now finds himself in search of a new club, although the star is currently in Qatar representing Portugal at the World Cup.

Several sides have been linked with a move for Ronaldo, but a new report claims that the player is currently torn between two surprise moves.

According to Spanish publication Marca via The Mirror, the Portuguese is interested in either pursuing a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, or remaining in the Premier League, with Newcastle United an enticing option.

Ronaldo’s second stint with United has ended bitterly

Saudi side Al-Nassr, who are owned by the same people as Newcastle, are believed to be interested in Ronaldo, who allegedly turned down a mega money offer from fellow Saudi club Al-Hilal over the summer.

Few would have predicted Ronaldo’s second stint with United to have ended so bitterly when he first returned to the club last summer.

The ex-Juventus man scored twice against The Magpies on his second debut for United, and went on to score 24 goals in 38 matches across all competitions last term.

This season had been a different story entirely, though, with the Portugal captain having largely been used as a substitute by new manager Erik ten Hag.

He had scored only once in the Premier League, and was already believed to have been unhappy at the club, prior to his shock interview with Morgan.

It was initially reported over the summer that Ronaldo wanted to leave Old Trafford to join a club competing in the Champions League, and his relationship with Ten Hag first turned sour when he refused to be substituted on in the closing stages of The Red Devils’ win over Tottenham in October.

Among the other clubs already being linked with a move for Ronaldo are Napoli, Sporting Lisbon and Bayern Munich, while a shock switch to United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea continues to be talked about.