Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a blunt response to Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney following recent criticism of his performances for Manchester United.
Former Everton striker Rooney was alongside Liverpool legend Carragher as a pundit on Monday Night Football for Crystal Palace’s win over Arsenal. The Derby County boss discussed the start of his managerial career, highlights from his playing days as well as Everton’s current season .
However, Rooney also addressed the situation at Manchester United, another of his old clubs, who are in a battle to qualify for the Champions League. And asked about United’s decision to re-sign Ronaldo last summer, Rooney said the club should be focussing on bringing in younger players to help build long-term success.
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On Wednesday night, Ronaldo replied to Rooney’s post on Instagram about his evening as a pundit with the words, ‘Two jealous’, alongside an eyes emoji, although it is unclear whether the Portuguese forward simply meant he would have liked to share his opinions on the show or whether he disagreed with Rooney’s assessment of his season so far.
When asked about if the move had been successful for his ex-team mate, Rooney said: "You’d have to say no, at the minute. I think he’s scored goals, he’s scored important goals in the Champions League early on in the season, he 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 the best and 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 when he was in his 20s, 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."
For Carragher, the Liverpool legend has consistently voiced his disagreement with the transfer. The Sky Sports pundit clashed with Roy Keane in November over the reasons for bringing Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
“You finish second and sign Ronaldo at 36 - you’re not going to win the League in four years. If you sign someone at 36 it’s to win right now,” he said. “If you sign Varane, a four-time Champions League winner, it's to win right now. Are they any closer to winning the league?”
