This former England cricketer has backed Cristiano Ronaldo after his Manchester United stint explodes

Hell has broken loose for the Manchester United and their fans ever since Cristiano Ronaldo appeared for a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. While the club's fans have slammed the 37-year-old Portuguese star and the club is reportedly exploring ways to sack him over the interview in which he tore into a number of people related to the club, including coach Eric Ten Hag, who he said he didn't respect.

Reports have said that the 'Red Devils' are working on ways to terminate Ronaldo's contract and he might not be seen playing for the club again once he returns from his World Cup duties from Qatar where he will lead Portugal.

However, Ronaldo has found an ally from another sport and it is former England captain Kevin Pietersen who has defended the ace striker who has had a far from satisfactory Premier League this year. He hasn't scored much and even did not start in may matches. Last month, he even walked off the pitch ahead of the game's final whistle, triggering speculation that not all was well in the United camp.

Kevin Pietersen (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

But Pietersen, who himself had similar experiences in his career, said he had been in a similar position like Ronaldo and sympathized with him.

In a tweet on Tuesday (15), the 42-year-old South African-born former batter said, "I’ve watched this CR story and having been in a similar position, I sympathise with him. People have NO IDEA what it’s like to have constant lies and speculation written about them all the time. People having breaking points. Very easy to blame him but before you do, think…"

Pietersen, who had been a controversial cricketer during his playing days with conflicts against people, including coach, team-mates, and cricket board, has scored more than 13,000 runs for England but could represent the country for just around a decade.