Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo never told him that he wanted to leave the club.
The Red Devils mutually terminated Ronaldo's contract following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, where the 37-year-old criticised the club, including Ten Hag, claiming that he had "no respect" for the Dutchman.
The United manager has claimed that he only discovered that Ronaldo wanted to leave the club when he saw the interview.
"I have seen most of it," Ten Hag said. "I have to do it. It is part of my job. The interview, I think, as a club you can't accept.
"To make that step he knew the consequences. But before he never told me. Until that moment he never told me 'I want to leave'."
Ten Hag did state that Ronaldo spoke to him about a possible departure in the summer when the transfer window was open.
The United boss said: "In the summer we had one talk. He came in and said 'I will tell you in seven days if I want to stay'. He came back and said he did. Until that moment [the interview] I never heard anything [else]."
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The former Ajax manager also added that he wanted the experienced forward to remain with the club.
He said: "I like to work with world-class players. I know they can make a difference and help you to achieve your objectives.
"I wanted him to stay from the first moment until now. I did everything to bring him into the team because I value his quality.
"We wanted him to be part of our project and for him to contribute to Manchester United because he is a great player and has such a great history."
Ronaldo was recently dropped for Portugal's World Cup last-16 match against Switzerland, where his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory.
The former Real Madrid star is expected to be on the bench when Portugal face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
