Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville says Erik ten Hag’s team is better without Cristiano Ronaldo who is not happy with his playing time under the Dutch manager.
Neville was involved in a heat debate with ex-Man United teammate Roy Keane on Sky Sport on Saturday night over the use of Ronaldo by Ten Hag.
While the first said the former Ajax coach is handling Ronaldo very well, the second one believes Ten Hag has to cool down his treatment with the five-time Ballon d’or winner.
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Gary Neville urged Man United officials to end Cristiano Ronaldo contract for him to leave the club as he desired since last summer.
“End it this week or create a truce to get to the World Cup and then end it. Because this has to end,” he said.
“There aren’t many Manchester United fans who would now have Ronaldo in their starting eleven.
“They are better without him – they score more goals without him and they win more points without him. Manchester United are a better team without him.”
Furthermore, Neville bemoaned the attitude of Ronaldo saying Ten Hag was right in banishing him from his squad after he refused to come on against Tottenham and left the Stadium before the full-time.
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“For me, Erik ten Hag had no other option. That’s the second time Ronaldo has left Old Trafford before his team-mates have got into the changing room. That is unacceptable”, Neville said.
“When you look at whether Ronaldo should be selected, which is obviously Ronaldo’s main problem at this moment in time – that he’s not playing – as great a player as he’s been, Manchester United are better without him.
“Erik ten Hag knows that, so I think the only thing the club and Ronaldo can do is get together in this next week or so and end the relationship. Cristiano is too good a player, too fantastic a character and the club have got to move on.
“Ronaldo can’t accept not being the star man in Manchester United’s team so he’s going to have to leave – that’s it.”