DC United head coach and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney told CNN he believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy with the team is still intact despite the way his second stint ended.
It has been well documented that Ronaldo’s second spell in Manchester did not go as planned as he forced his way off the team after repeatedly bumping heads with manager Erik ten Hag.
‘I think what he’s done for Manchester United is great. He’s won Premier League titles, won the Champions League, scored many goals,’ said Rooney.
‘So I think certainly for the fans and certainly for the players, his former team-mates who played with him from my time especially, we’ll never forget what he did for Manchester United.’
‘In my eyes, he’ll always be a club legend and it’s a shame the way it ended of course this time round. ‘But I don’t think that takes anything away from his legacy at the club.’
DC United coach Wayne Rooney has called Cristano Ronaldo’s second stint at Man U a ‘shame’
Rooney and Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and a UCL trophy while playing together
Rooney and Ronaldo once shared the field together for several seasons in Manchester when they won three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.
Since then, Ronaldo went on to establish himself as one of the game’s all-time greats with Real Madrid, while Rooney has retired clearly moved on to management.
Last year Rooney, took over DC towards the end of the season with the hopes that he could help the team improve from being one of the worst teams in Major League Soccer.
They are currently tied for 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference with only four points through five games and a record of 1-1-3.
Ronaldo has moved onto playing in Saudi Arabia on a massive contract for Al Nassr, where he has scored nine goals this season.
Despite his feelings, Rooney still thinks Manchester United did the right thing by terminating Ronaldo’s contract.
‘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 [Erik] 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 [Carabao] Cup.’
Rooney’s comments also show no I’ll will towards Ronaldo for the comments the Portuguese star made about him during his interview with Piers Morgan.
‘I don’t know why he criticizes me so badly,’ Ronaldo said. ‘Probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level’
‘I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true… but it’s hard to listen to that kind of criticism and negativity from people who play with you for example, Gary Neville, as well.’
‘People can have their own opinion, but they don’t really know what’s going on. For example, inside the training ground and Carrington or even my life.’
‘They have to listen to my point of view as well. Because it’s easy to criticize, but if you don’t know the whole story, it’s easy. ‘They are not my friends.’
According to Sky Sports, Rooney was ‘bemused’ and felt ‘no animosity towards Ronaldo,’ for his comments.
Ronaldo forced his way out of United during his second spell after an epically failed stint
