Wayne Rooney disagrees Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim Manchester United should be a top three team – insisting they should be a “top one team” instead.
Ronaldo gave a revealing interview to Sky Sports in which he gave a critical review of United’s form since he made his return to Old Trafford last summer.
United are very much a different beast to the one the Portuguese superstar left for Real Madrid in 2009, when they were at the height of their powers under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Now, they find themselves locked in a battle just to finish in the top four in the Premier League, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea far and away ahead of them.
Ronaldo’s signing had been expected by many to be the catalyst to United challenging for the title after finishing second to City last season – instead, it’s been a hugely disappointing campaign, with the 36-year-old less than impressed by the club’s current standing.
“Manchester United should win the league or be second or third. I don’t see any other position for Manchester United,” Ronaldo said.
“In my heart, I don’t accept that our mentality be less than being in the top three in the Premier League, in my opinion.”
Rooney though holds a slightly different opinion, with Ronaldo’s former forward partner insisting United shouldn’t even be settling for the top three.
“Manchester United have to be a top one team, not top three, and I think that’s the demands the fans put on you, the demands that club has,” Rooney said.
“Of course they’re going through a very difficult period at the minute, but make no mistake that’s a club that has to be winning championships.
“It has to be winning trophies, and that’s the pressure we come in with playing or working at Manchester United. That’s where they need to get back to. I’m sure they’re trying to do the right things to get them back to that place.”
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
