Ronaldo, Rooney in war of words
Ronaldo and Rooney spent five seasons together at United – when the latter joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad from Everton in the summer of 2004
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney after the Englishman had sent some criticism his way on Monday.
Rooney was left unimpressed by what the Portuguese had offered for the Red Devils in their 1-1 draw with Leicester City over the weekend, and Cristiano didn't take the criticism too well.
Appearing on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Rooney called for Ronaldo to be shipped out of Old Trafford this summer, along with midfielder Paul Pogba. He also claimed that signing the No.7 last summer was not in the club's best interests.
"You'd have to say no," Rooney said when asked if the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward's return has worked out for United.
"If you look to the future, I think you have to go with younger, hungrier players to do everything possible to lift Manchester United in the next two or three years.
"He's making progress, but he's not the player he was when he was 20. That happens. He's a goalscoring threat, but I think the rest of the game needs more.
"They need young, hungry players. I think they have good players. I think [Jadon] Sancho will be better next year, I think Marcus [Rashford] will be better next year."
Shortly after, Rooney posted a photo of himself, Jamie Carragher and host David Jones on Instagram, saying how much he enjoyed his appearance on the show, and Ronaldo was quick to comment.
"Two jealous," Cristiano wrote, taking aim at Rooney and Carragher.
Derby County boss Rooney responded to a question regarding the comment during his press conference on Thursday: “I saw that this morning! I would probably say that there is not a footballer on the planet who is not jealous of Cristiano! The career he has had, the trophies he has won, the money he has earned…and the six-pack, his body. I think every player bar Lionel Messi is jealous of Cristiano!”
Ronaldo and Rooney spent five seasons together at United – when the latter joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad from Everton in the summer of 2004.
The two went on to form one of European football’s most explosive attacks over the course of five years before Ronaldo joined Real Madrid.
The two were fundamental parts of the all-conquering Red Devils squad who won three successive Premier League titles between 2007 and 2009, alongside winning the 2008 Champions League title and reaching the following year’s final. United won a total of seven trophies when the two stars were in the squad, including the League Cup, Club World Cup and Community Shield trophies.
