Raphael Varane becomes first Man Utd player to address Ronaldo ordeal

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Raphael Varane has become the first Manchester United player to speak out on Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan – admitting the ordeal has affected the players. Erik ten Hag’s side had seemingly signed off in style on Sunday when they secured a last-gasp 2-1 win on the road at Fulham courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho’s late winner.

Yet the United camp was then rocked by Ronaldo’s blockbuster sit down with Morgan – in which he slated Ten Hag, the Glazers, the club’s infrastructure and training facilities plus old team-mates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.

It has now put United’s players in an awkward position as the club prepares for a high-profile divorce from their 37-year-old superstar, whose contract is not up until the end of the season.

France international Varane, who also played with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, has admitted it’s been impossible to ignore what has been said…

He told French Radio station Europe1: “Obviously it affects us. 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.

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“When it’s a star like Cristiano 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.”

Varane detailed his commitment to United, stating he wants the best for the club whatever happens from here on in.

He added: “What I want is the best for my team so whatever the decision, as a player, we will accept it and give the best of ourselves.”

The centre-back, who will be fit for the World Cup despite sustaining a knee injury in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea last month, is the only United player to address Ronaldo’s situation – to date.

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It comes after Sweden international Victor Lindelof refused to answer a question on his team-mate when quizzed on CR7’s surprise interview.

Bruno Fernandes has been in the spotlight this week after video footage documented an awkward interaction with Ronaldo upon arrival at Portugal’s camp.

The pair shared a brief embrace before Fernandes went on to hug some of his other team-mates including Joao Felix.

However, Portugal midfielder Joao Mario shot down talk of a rift between Ronaldo and Fernandes, stating the pair actually shared a joke togeth

“Today Joao Mario clarified all of the situation. Ronaldo was the first one to come to national team camp and Bruno Fernandes was the last one,” Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepulveda said when translating the press conference for Sky Sports.

“So Ronaldo then made the joke to Bruno Fernandes about if he came by boat or by plane.

“That was the only thing they were talking about. There is no problem between Ronaldo and Fernandes and they are both focusing on the World Cup.”

Portugal’s World Cup campaign gets underway on November 24 when they face Ghana in their Group H opener.

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