Wayne Rooney says ‘it’s a shame how it ended’ for Cristiano Ronaldo after row with former Man Utd team-mate
WAYNE ROONEY has said “it’s a shame how it ended” for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
The 38-year-old saw his contract ripped up at Old Trafford after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
Rooney heavily criticised Ronaldo during his second spell at the club, claiming that he should have been sold and that he was not the player he once was.
He also labelled his refusal to play against Tottenham last October as “unacceptable.”
Ronaldo hit back at Rooney, saying that he is jealous of his ongoing playing career and that he is better looking than his old strike partner.
The DC United manager has spoken about CR7 again, telling CNN: “I suppose he got what he wanted.
“For Manchester United, it was important to move on as quick as possible from that and really refocus on the group of players who were there and wanted to be there.
“And I think that’s where [Erik] ten Hag has done a really good job in refocusing the players and getting them in a position where they are, obviously, comfortably in the top four, and also winning the [Carabao] Cup.”
Rooney also insisted that Ronaldo remains a hero at Man Utd despite his antics, saying: “I think what he’s done for Manchester United is great. He’s won Premier League titles, won the Champions League, scored many goals.
“So I think certainly for the fans and certainly for the players, his former team-mates who played with him from my time especially, we’ll never forget what he did for Manchester United.
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“In my eyes, he’ll always be a club legend and it’s a shame the way it ended of course this time round. But I don’t think that takes anything away from his legacy at the club.”
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and a Champions League at the club before moving to Real Madrid, all of which were with Rooney.
On his return to United, he played 54 times and netted 27 goals.