Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has urged ex-teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to remain patient at Old Trafford after a difficult start to the season.
Ronaldo has only started one Premier League match for Erik ten Hag's side this term, with the 37-year-old being utilised as an impact substitute in the majority of his appearances.
Ten Hag opted to leave Ronaldo on the bench during the 6-3 defeat by Manchester City in the derby last weekend, despite making five substitutions. The Real Madrid legend has only scored one goal for United this season, which came from the spot in the Europa League win over FC Sheriff.
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Ronaldo's former teammate Rooney has told the veteran forward to patient and make the most of the opportunities that come his way, but admitted that the 37-year-old will be finding his lack of game time hard to deal with.
"The manager's obviously gone a different way in terms of how they're playing and been successful," Rooney, who is in charge of MLS side DC United, told reporters on Friday.
"Cristiano... him and (Lionel) Messi are two of the greatest players to ever play the game, but ultimately time catches up with us all. He's obviously not the player he was when he was 22 or 23, for instance. It's a tough one for him.
"Knowing him, it'll be very difficult for him to sit on the bench. I'm sure if he stays patient, his chance will come and, again, it's then obviously him taking those chances and trying to force his way back in."
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