Ronaldo hits out at ‘lies’

I have a notebook and in the last few months of the 100 news I made, only five were right, says the Portuguese star

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at the “lies” surrounding reports about his future at Manchester United.

Portugal forward missed United’s pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia due to personal reasons as speculation swirled over whether he would be leaving Old Trafford.

It has been reported Ronaldo wants to play Champions League football, but United maintain the 37-year-old is not for sale and remains an integral part of the plans of new boss Erik ten Hag.

The former Real Madrid star played the full 90 minutes of United’s 4-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday, which left them bottom of the Premier League.

In a reply to a fan account on Instagram that referred to a report linking the United frontman to Atletico Madrid, Ronaldo said fans would “know the truth” in a couple of weeks, adding: “The media is telling lies.”

“I have a notebook and in the last few months of the 100 news I made, only five were right. Imagine how it is. Stick with that tip.”

Manchester United will seek to kickstart their Premier League campaign when they host fierce rivals, Liverpool, on Monday.

United’s owners, the Glazer family, have come under fire following the team’s terrible start.

Former United defender Gary Neville has warned the club could finish in the bottom half of the Premier League if they do not address their “horror story” recruitment strategy.

Manchester United supporters’ group The 1958 is planning a protest march outside Old Trafford against the club’s owners ahead of the Liverpool match.

In a statement, the group said the ownership was “systematically starving and killing the greatest football institution in world football, for greed”.

“We appreciate emotions are running high,” it added. “We must keep it legal, we must keep it peaceful… Bring the heat, bring the noise, bring the passion. Let’s show the Glazer family that this time it will not blow over.”

Billionaire Elon Musk sparked a social media frenzy on Tuesday evening when he raised the prospect of buying United from the Glazer family.

The Tesla CEO made the comment in a tweet, then later clarified his position by saying he had no intention of buying a sports team and that it had been a “long-running joke”.

Jim Ratcliffe’s intent?

Meanwhile, SunSport reported that Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe is interested in taking over The Red Devils from the Glazer family.

The current owners of the English giants, who took over the club’s reins in 2005, are under immense pressure due to widespread protests from the United’s fans.

Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) has also welcomed the decision, calling it the right call in a statement they issued on the matter.

“Speculation is mounting about a potential change of ownership or new investors at Manchester United.

“Whilst supporters have called for change, of course, this has to be the right change.

“Any prospective new owner or investor has to be committed to the culture, ethos and best traditions of the club.

“They have to be willing to invest to restore United to former glories, and that investment must be real new money spent on the playing side and the stadium

“Finally any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model.

“These are the criteria supporters will judge any bid on.

“We are open to dialogue with any bidder, and look forward to any such discussions.”

According to the editor of United We Stand magazine Andy Mitten, Ratcliffe is a big Manchester United fan, despite the fact that he had big to buy their rivals, Chelsea as well.

“Jim Ratcliffe is a Mancunian. His bid for Chelsea did surprise some,” he said. “But I was told at the time: ‘That was a marker. That is to show that he’s interested in buying a major football club.'”

Moreover, the Britain’s billionaire has been vocal in the past against United’s poor decision-making and choice of managers.

“They are in quite a big pickle as a business,” he once said while talking to The Times. “They haven’t got the manager selection right, haven’t bought well. They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred.”

Moreover, he previously admitted to holding Chelsea’s season ticket for many years despite being a fan of United.