'He's one of the greatest players ever': Harry Maguire defends his former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo after the striker's contract was torn up following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan
- Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United after giving an explosive interview
- Harry Maguire has defended his former teammate as 'one of the greatest ever'
- The striker became the first man to score at five World Cups on Thursday
- Follow Sportsmail's live blog for all the latest World Cup news and updates
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the striker's dramatic exit from the club.
The 37-year-old left Old Trafford after giving an explosive interview with Piers Morgan that saw him criticise United, manager Erik ten Hag and the Glazers.
Ronaldo released a statement claiming he 'loved Manchester United and the fans' but insisted he was ready to seek 'new challenges.'
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/18/64912653-11466763-image-a-38_1669314616052.jpg)
Harry Maguire has defended Cristiano Ronaldo after his controversial exit from Man United
![The striker's contract was torn up following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/18/64911853-11466763-image-a-13_1669313273708.jpg)
The striker's contract was torn up following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan
While many condemned the striker for complaining about the club so publicly, Maguire has stood by his former teammate.
Speaking ahead of England's World Cup clash against the USA on Friday, Maguire said: 'As a footballer nobody likes being criticised but I think it's part and parcel of the game.
'I've played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last couple of years and he's one of the greatest players to ever kick a football.
'He gets criticised daily, so if it's going to happen to him and the position I'm in playing for Manchester United, it's going to happen to each and every one of us.
'You've just got to work hard, go into training, do your best and that's all you can do.'
![Maguire praised Ronaldo's ability to deal with criticism and said it's part of the parcel of being a professional footballer for Manchester United](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/18/64913313-11466763-image-a-1_1669316209429.jpg)
Maguire praised Ronaldo's ability to deal with criticism and said it's part of the parcel of being a professional footballer for Manchester United
![Ronaldo became the first man to score at five different World Cups on Thursday evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/18/64912105-11466763-image-a-15_1669313330997.jpg)
Ronaldo became the first man to score at five different World Cups on Thursday evening
Despite his antics off the pitch, Ronaldo showed why he is still a force to be reckoned with on it during Portugal's clash with Ghana on Thursday evening.
He became the first man in history to score at five different World Cups, opening the scoring from the penalty spot in a thrilling 3-2 win for Portugal.
The win puts Ronaldo's side top of Group H after Uruguay drew with South Korea, but there may be some concern at how close they were run by Ghana.
Portugal are next in action against Uruguay on Monday.
![The 37-year-old forward scored from the penalty spot after having a previous goal chalked off](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/18/64913347-11466763-image-a-2_1669316349072.jpg)
The 37-year-old forward scored from the penalty spot after having a previous goal chalked off
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