Bruno Fernandes maintained that he has “no problem” with Cristiano Ronaldo despite his Manchester United and Portugal teammate’s explosive interview in which he claimed to feel deceived by the club and have no regard for manager Erik ten Hag.
In his interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, which aired on Wednesday and Thursday in the UK, Ronaldo gave Man United a harsh assessment.
Although sources have told ESPN that Ten Hag does not think he can work with Ronaldo again, United stated they would address the Portuguese forward’s remarks after gathering all the information.
Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 on Thursday in Lisbon as they began their World Cup preparations without Ronaldo, who was out with a stomach ailment. Fernandes scored twice in the victory and emphasized it thereafter that the tournament in Qatar is the only thing on his mind.
He said to Sky Sports, “I didn’t read the interview so I’m OK with that.” “”As I said before, now it’s the national team, it’s Portugal. The coach made a point that it’s us, he made that point since I came with the national team in 2017.
” That is still clear, that in his mind the main thing here is the national team and us so we have to be focused on the World Cup.
“You don’t have a chance to play a World Cup many times — Cristiano did really well to play five times, this will be his fifth time — so everyone is ready for that, everyone wants to give their best for the team.”
A video that went viral last week appeared to show Fernandes giving Ronaldo a cold reception after the interview and before the two reported for duty with Portugal.
However, Fernandes argued that the video was inaccurate and that a sound-enhanced version clearly showed the two cracking a joke.
“This is the national team, Manchester United will be my focus after the World Cup, after December 18, because that is the final,” Fernandes added.
“I have no problem with anyone. I do my job. You have to control yourself, give your best and that’s it.”
Raphael Varane, a fellow United player, acknowledged last week that the team had been impacted by the interview.
“Obviously it affects us,” Varane, who has been selected in France’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar, told French radio station Europe1. “We follow what is happening and what is being said.
“We try to calm the situation in our own way, we try not to get too involved in it. What is happening in the media in the big clubs is gaining momentum.
“When it’s a star like Ronaldo, even more, so we try to take it with distance, that is to say that we do not try to change the situation alone, we are part of a collective.”
Ronaldo is expected to play a part in Portugal’s opening match against Ghana on 24th.