Cristiano Ronaldo named just three Man Utd players as 'top professionals' with the club now planning to sell one

One of the three Manchester United players labelled a “top professional” by Cristiano Ronaldo is set to depart.

Ronaldo caused enormous uproar in November 2022 when he took part in a bombshell Talk TV interview with Piers Morgan, in which the five-time Ballon d’Or winner criticised United, manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners, the Glazer family.

Elsewhere in the interview, the Portugal star name-checked three players he believed had been “top professionals” in his second spell at Old Trafford.

Asked about which players he admired, Ronaldo replied: "In Manchester United, I can mention [Diogo] Dalot. He's young but very professional and I don't doubt that he's going to have longevity in football because he's young, smart, intelligent and very professional.

“Probably [Lisandro] Martinez, Casemiro is in his 30s, but I will say Dalot."

Casemiro, part of a select few admired by Ronaldo for professionalism, appears set to leave United just 18 months after arriving at the club.

According to the Mail Online, the Brazilian has attracted the interest of Ronaldo’s current side Al Nassr.

The publication claimed Al Nassr are interested in Casemiro and United team-mate Aaron Wan-Bissaka with football director John Murtough flying to Saudi

Arabia to explore the viability of both deals.

The Saudi Pro League side is set to make a huge off for Casemiro, who reportedly earns over £375,000 per week at United. Meanwhile, they are alsothoughtt to be keen to bid for Wan-Bissaka this month having seen a £20million proposal for Tottenham right-back Emerson Royal turned down.

United would reportedly want to receive a fee in both cases and recoup some of the £70million outlay they paid for Casemiro. The Mail added that Ronaldo has encouraged his current club to pursue Casemiro.