Neville warned Manchester United about 'messy' Ronaldo situation

By Liam Wood, MANCHESTER UK

Gary Neville already warned Manchester United that things could get 'messy' with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo stunned Old Trafford when snippets from his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan emerged on social media last night. In their in-depth chat, the 37-year-old told the divisive media figure he had been "betrayed" by United while Erik ten Hag and other key figures at the club "want to force him out".

It has been a headline-driven season for the Portugal captain despite his bit-part role on the pitch. He expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford for a second time in the summer, missed their pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia and then refused to come off the bench during a win over Tottenham.

Despite public support from ex-teammates and high-profile pundits with United connections, Neville has not been as defensive towards the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar. His comments led to Ronaldo blanking Neville pitch-side before the West Ham game, but was the 47-year-old right all along?

Speaking when Ronaldo refused to come off the bench, Sky Sports pundit Neville said: "It has been a big week for Erik ten Hag. I don't think he was left with any other option [but to suspend him].

"That's the second time Cristiano Ronaldo has left Old Trafford and got in his car before his side have got back into the changing room. I have to say, as someone in the dressing room, it's something that's unacceptable.

"When you look at whether Cristiano should be selected, Manchester United are better without him - and Erik ten Hag knows that - so the only thing that Cristiano and the club can do is get together in the next week and end the relationship. Cristiano is too good of a player and character and the club have got to move on."

Addressing the same subject a few days later on his popular podcast, Neville added: "The best thing for him to do this week is to go in and see Richard Arnold, John Murtough and Erik ten Hag, call a meeting and say; 'My time's up here. Let me go to the World Cup, let me leave in January and choose a club'.

"We don't want this messy ending to something that could be so great, which is Ronaldo's relationship and feeling about the club and vice versa. I get Cristiano's point as well but there's a way to go about it. He needs to end it now for both parties. It can't go beyond January 1."