Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he wants Arsenal to win the Premier League this season – but only if Manchester United fail to join them in the title race.
Ronaldo is dominating headlines on the eve of the Qatar World Cup after unleashing a sensational attack on United in a tell-all interview with Piers Morgan at the weekend.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “Manchester [United] first & if not, Arsenal is some team that I like to see play. I like the team, I like the coach. I think they have a good team. If Manchester United don’t win the Premier League, I will be happy if Arsenal do.”
When asked by Gunners supporter Morgan if he would like to see them become champions, Ronaldo confessed: ‘I hope so.
‘Manchester first, and if not, Arsenal is some team that I like to see play.’
Arsenal sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table during the World Cup break, having won 12 of their first 14 matches this season.
There is optimism that Arteta’s side could challenge Manchester City for the title in 2022-23, and Ronaldo is certainly impressed.
During the first half of his discussion with Morgan, which was televised on Wednesday, the 37-year-old took aim at former Red Devils interim coach Ralf Rangnick, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and his club’s young players.
As expected, many questions have been left unanswered regarding the future of the five-time Ballon D’or winner. In the summer, it was widely reported that Ronaldo wanted to exit the Old Trafford outfit to play Champions League football, but he remained part of Ten Hag’s squad.
Arsenal go into the 2022 World Cup break top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s men have picked up 37 points from their first 14 fixtures, five more than Manchester City.
It should perhaps come as no surprise that Ronaldo would prefer the Gunners to win the title over United’s noisy neighbours, Manchester City. Things could have turned out differently if Pep Guardiola’s side managed to snap up the Portuguese in 2021, only for him to change course at the last minute and head back to Old Trafford.
