Ronaldo appears unimpressed with Rooney's comments about his return to Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Wayne Rooney of being 'jealous' on Instagram after his former Manchester United teammate gave an honest assessment of his return to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo rejoined United at the start of the season, 13 years after leaving for Real Madrid. Despite 18 goals from the 37-year-old, United have endured a difficult campaign. They are already out of the running to end their wait for a trophy and appear set to miss out on a place in the top four.
Rooney appeared on
Sky Sports' Monday Night Football earlier in the week and was
asked if the decision to bring Ronaldo back had worked out. While acknowledging that he remains a goal threat, the Derby County manager said he believed United needed to introduce younger players to help revive the club's fortunes over the course of the next two years.
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Rooney on Ronaldo's return
"You'd have to say no [it hasn't worked], at the minute," Rooney said. "He's scored goals, he's scored important goals in the Champions League early on in the season.
"He's scored the hat-trick against Tottenham but I think if you're looking to the future of the club, you have to go with younger, hungry players to do their best to lift Manchester United over these next two or three years.
"Obviously Cristiano is getting on a bit. He certainly isn't the player he was in his twenties and that happens. That's football. He's a goal threat but the rest of the game, they need more. They need young, hungry players."
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Ronaldo's response to Rooney on Instagram
Rooney posted a picture of his MNF appearance on his Instagram on Wednesday, with Ronaldo replying in the comments.
'Two (sic) jealous,' the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said.
Rooney and Ronaldo at United
Rooney and Ronaldo played in the same United team between 2004 and 2009 - one of the most successful periods in the club's history.
While Ronaldo made the move to Madrid in 2009, Rooney remained at United for another eight years, returning to boyhood club Everton in 2017 having replaced Sir Bobby Charlton as the all-time leading goalscorer at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo's son, Cristiano Junior, and Rooney's eldest son, Kai, have played in the same United junior side earlier this year.
Ten Hag set to become United's next manager
While Rooney has impressed in difficult circumstances as manager of Derby, United have been pressing on with their search for a permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who left the club in November.
It now appears that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will be appointed in the summer, despite United's long-standing interest in Mauricio Pochettino, who Rooney also backed for the position.
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