Piers Morgan claims Cristiano Ronaldo turned down £130m Saudi move

Piers Morgan has leaped to the defence of Cristiano Ronaldo after recent reports suggested no club wanted to sign the Portuguese star this summer. 

Ronaldo has come under huge scrutiny this week after leaving the bench early in the midweek win against Tottenham before manager Erik ten Hag revealed he refused to come on. 

The 37-year-old was left out of the squad for the game at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United, casting further doubt over his future at Old Trafford. 

He missed United’s game against Chelsea after refusing to come off the bench in midweek

Ronaldo informed the club about his desire to leave in the summer in search of Champions League football. 

He was not granted a move as United were keen to keep a hold of him following his 24 goals last season, the club’s highest goalscorer. 

But reports this week have suggested enquiries for Ronaldo were not made and even clubs in Turkey were unmoved by the prospect of signings him. 

Piers Morgan, a big supporter of Ronaldo, has however leaped to the defence of Ronaldo, insisting he turned down a big offer from Saudi Arabia. 

‘More lies leaked by Utd management to damage him… @Cristiano received an offer of 130m euros to play for one season in Saudi but turned it down,’ Morgan tweeted. 

Piers Morgan has leapt to the defence of friend and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo 

Recent reports suggested there was no interest in the Portuguese star this summer 

It’s not the first time the 57-year-old has defended Ronaldo. Earlier this week he accused United of being ‘disrespectful’, saying: ‘I think the collective disrespect towards Cristiano from his manager and many Utd fans after all he’s done for your club, not least last season, is shameful. There’s my opinion.’

Ten Hag’s decision not to play Ronaldo in midweek paid off, as United put in their best performance of the season with the 2-0 win over Spurs, thanks to goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes. 

In recent games, the Dutchman has tended to bring the former Ballon d’Or winner off the bench and had intended to do so again on Wednesday before Ronaldo’s refusal to be substituted on. 

He has remained a bit-part player so far this season and has only netted once in the Premier League, with Ten Hag putting his trust in younger attackers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and new recruit Antony.