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Wayne Rooney believes Cristiano Ronaldo 'got what he wanted' by leaving Manchester United

Home> Football

Published 16:36 30 Mar 2023 GMT+1

Wayne Rooney believes Cristiano Ronaldo 'got what he wanted' by leaving Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has opened up about Cristiano Ronaldo's exit from Man Utd in a new interview.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Wayne Rooney has given his two cents on Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United, saying he "got what we wanted" after that interview with Piers Morgan.

Back in November, Ronaldo and United reached an agreement to terminate his contract.

The decision came shortly after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner delivered some 'home truths' to TalkTV host Morgan in a bombshell interview.

During the lengthy chat, Ronaldo accused manager Erik ten Hag of a lack of respect before naming just three Manchester United players as "top professionals".

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He also made a bold statement about former teammate Wayne Rooney, who claimed Ronaldo's behaviour has been "not acceptable" at times last year.

Ronaldo said: "I don’t know why he [Rooney] criticises me so badly... probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at high level. I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true."

Four months on and DC United manager Rooney has addressed his former teammates departure with some comments of his own.

Speaking to CNN, he said: "I suppose he got what he wanted.

"For Manchester United, it was important to move on as quick as possible from that and really refocus on the group of players who were there and wanted to be there.

"And I think that’s where Ten Hag has done a really good job in refocusing the players and getting them in a position where they are obviously comfortably in the top four and also winning the cup."

Rooney was then asked if Ronaldo's comments to Morgan in the TV interview would damage his reputation at Old Trafford.

"No, I think what he’s done for Manchester United is great," he continued.

"And he’s won Premier League titles, won the Champions League, scored many goals. So I think certainly for the fans and certainly for the players, his former teammates who played with him from my time especially, we’ll never forget what he did for Manchester United. Because, in my eyes, he’ll always be a club legend and it’s a shame the way it ended of course this time around.

"But I don’t think that takes anything away from his legacy at the club."

This, of course, isn't the first time Rooney has mentioned Ronaldo's controversial departure from United. Speaking to talkSPORT in November, Rooney praised Erik ten Hag for bringing an identity back to the club.

He said: "I think Ten Hag has done really well, I think he's come in and stamped his authority on the team.

"I think for the first time in two or three years, I'm starting to see an identity with Manchester United which I haven't seen for the last two or three years.

"He showed his strength and character in how he dealt with Cristiano at times with some of the stuff he's been up to, so I really think he's the right man for the job.

"I think it will take time, but a real step in the right direction will be to finish inside the top four and get Champions League football again."

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Thoughts on Rooney's comments about the Ronaldo situation? Let us know.

Featured Image Credit: BT Sport/Alamy

Topics: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United, Premier League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Arabia

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

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@jackkenmare_

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