Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed by Wayne Rooney after bitter fall-out between Man Utd icons

Cristiano Ronaldo

Football news: Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong as he enters the twilight years of his career

GETTY
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 08/11/2023

- 10:39

The duo won three Premier League titles while playing together at Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo when asked to name his favourite Manchester United team-mate.

The duo were once strong allies on the pitch, helping the club win three Premier League titles and the Champions League while playing under Sir Alex Ferguson.


However, back in November last year, their relationship fell apart.

Rooney scrutinised Ronaldo's performances for United, saying the club would be wise to sign a younger forward instead.

Football news Cristiano Ronaldo Wayne Rooney Man Utd

Football news: Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were once close at Man Utd

GETTY

Ronaldo then hit back at his old pal, suggesting jealousy was behind his criticsms.

“I don’t know why he criticises me so badly,” Ronaldo said.

“Probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at high level.”

He also mocked Rooney's appearance by saying: “I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true."

And Rooney has now snubbed Ronaldo when asked about his greatest Old Trafford team-mate.

Speaking to Rob Burrow on 'Seven: Rob Burrow', he instead named Darren Fletcher.

“Best team-mate, I'd probably say Darren Fletcher,” he said.

Fletcher was another product of the United academy and overcame initial struggles to become a key player for the Red Devils.

The Scotland international often had to compete with the likes of Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Anderson for a starting berth.

But Fletcher played a key role in United winning five league titles before leaving for West Brom in 2015.

Rooney was also asked to name his worst team-mate, too.

And the Birmingham City boss admitted he found it frustrating playing with Nani due to the Portugal international's lack of consistency.

“My worst team-mate, there are a lot more than you'd probably think!" he said.

“On the pitch, the toughest one was Nani. He was frustrating to play with.”

Nani joined United back in 2007.

He won four league titles himself but was offloaded by Louis van Gaal in 2015, two years after Ferguson's retirement.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, last year insisted he never saw Rooney was a friend - with the former England skipper merely a colleague in his eyes.

"It's hard to listen to that kind of criticism and negativity from people who played with you, for example Gary Neville as well," he stated.

"People can have their own opinion but they don't really know what's going on inside the training ground at Carrington or even my life. "

They should listen to not only one point of view, they have to listen to my point of view as well.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Football news Wayne Rooney Darren Fletcher

Football news: Wayne Rooney has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo and named Darren Fletcher as favourite team-mate

GETTY

"It's easy to criticise but if you don't know the whole story, it's easy.

"They are not my friends, they are colleagues. We played together but we're not having dinner together.

"It's part of my journey, they keep criticising me with negativity every time.

"I can continue my trip and I have to catch up with people who like me.

"It's easy to criticise, I don't know if they have a job in television that they must criticise to be more famous. I really don't understand it."

You may like