Compilation Shows Wayne Rooney And Cristiano Ronaldo Were The Most Underrated Duo

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were utterly unplayable together for Manchester United and this compilation only further underlines what a partnership they had back in the day.

The two tore it up at United, playing off each other wonderfully, having an innate telepathy on the pitch that saw them light up Old Trafford, produce a plethora of wonderful goals and bring a number of successes for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

They did have a fall-out following on from the 2006 World Cup quarter final where Ronaldo famously winked and played a part in his club colleague's dismissal for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho.

Image: PA

But even after that, thanks to the typically excellent management of Sir Alex Ferguson, they rekindled their relationship and continued to create magic at Old Trafford.

Despite being two players with very different skill-sets, Rooney and Ronaldo complimented one another brilliantly and this eight minute clip captures their special level of understanding.

If one goal was to perfectly sum it up, it's the one Rooney scored against Bolton in the 2006/07 season. Starting in their own half, the duo exchanged passes and darted towards goal at incredible speed before Rooney finished off the breathtaking two-man counter-attack with a deft chipped finish.

Image: PA

Years later, in a 2015 interview, Ronaldo spoke glowingly of his former teammate and revealed he gave him the nickname "the pitbull".

"For me the power of Wayne Rooney is his mentality and strength," Ronaldo said in Rooney's 'The Man Behind The Goals' documentary on BBC.

"He never stops, he always runs, helps the team. He's a fantastic team player and he scores goals. He scored important goals, for me he's fantastic.

"He was the kid of England. Everyone loved him. He is a fantastic boy, fantastic player.

"I used to call him, between me and my mates, the pit bull. I remember when he lost the ball he was so powerful, a strong guy, he shoots unbelievable."

But for all they accomplished together, we'll never forget that when they first met on the pitch back in 2003, Rooney was having none of Ronaldo's showboating and snapped him in half.

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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