In the backdrop of Cristiano Ronaldo’s ongoing ego tussle with the new United bossman Erik ten Hag, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo’s former teammate during his stint with the Red Devils from 2003 to 2009, has offered some harsh advice and much-needed criticism to the 37-year-old superstar.
Ronaldo’s most recent tantrum came at the Tottenham game when he simply declined to come on as a substitute. He took it a step too far when he walked off the pitch while the game was still in play. Notably, ten Hag sanctioned Ronaldo by leaving him off the playing 11 for the Chelsea game.
Wayne Rooney, presently manager of the MLS team DC United, in an interview with talkSport, disapproved of Ronaldo’s behaviour at Old Trafford.
He said that Ronaldo, with his present behaviour, is not particularly beneficial for the club. Rooney went on to say that while Ronaldo and Messi are arguably the best players in the world of football, he still disagrees with the way Ronaldo has handled his relationship with the United manager.
He says, “I just think the things he has done from the start of the season, it is not acceptable for Manchester United. I’ve seen Roy Keane defending him. Roy wouldn’t accept that. Roy wouldn’t accept that at all. It is a distraction which Manchester United don’t need at the minute, trying to rebuild.”
Rooney even offered some advice to Ronaldo on his time with United and what he should be doing to cement his contribution to the Red Devils.
“For Cristiano, just get your head down and work and be ready to play when the manager needs you. If he does that, he will be an asset. If he doesn’t, it will become an unwanted distraction.”, says Rooney.
The Englishman also adorned the new manager with praise for his tact and composure in dealing with a phenomenon like Cristiano Ronaldo.
It’s no secret that the player, like most of the other greats, has a tendency of reacting badly when things don’t go exactly his way.
Despite that, ten Hag has managed to establish authority in the dressing room and Rooney, among many others, believes that United is finally starting to play with an identity that has been missing for the past few years.
Fans’ Reactions
@PrimeHendo – Rooney complaining about Ronaldo again? Imagine my shock, just an obsession at this point
@Foley22 – He’s right Keane wouldn’t of accepted it at all as a manager or a player and captain
@privilege_mufc – Wazza not being afraid to say it as it is.
@TenHagBall – You won’t be getting a Christmas card this year from Ronaldo then… @WayneRooney
@Darryl_lal – Finally an ex Utd player who says it how it is. It’s not disrespectful to speak up against Ronaldo for the way he’s acting. He’s got to learn he’s getting older and isn’t the same player he was, it’s hard to accept but he has to accept it. He can still be effective in games
@AmaHussIa – Yes he surely knows a thing or two about distracting the team.
@Jungs_Shadow_ – Completely agree with him. Keane would’ve been on CR7’s case if he was captain. Ronaldo has been phenomenal in his career, but he offers a fraction of what he did at the height of his powers. That’s not disrespect, another project would suit all parties involved
@UTDJolloF – Ronaldo to not shake Rooney when next they see
Roy Keane who wants discipline in the Man Utd team started flaring that Ronaldo got a small discipline for bad misbehavior.
Beckham & Rooney might be the only Ex Legends worth listening to, sometime Neville
@Letstalkfootie1 – All the Ronaldo fanboys will start tweeting pics of Ronaldo topless compared to Rooney now as a rebuttal
@reddevil2361 – Wazza the goat has more sense than Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Evra,, scholes all combined
