Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United is “to an end” as soon as possible, according to former club defender Gary Neville.
The Portugal forward, who recently scored the 700th goal of his career, has been sent to the bench this season under new manager Eric ten Haag.
He was left out of the Premier League squad for Saturday’s draw at Chelsea following a sharp reaction against Tottenham Hotspur being an unused substitute in midweek.
With United showing encouraging signs of progress under Ten Haig, Neville believes the Ronaldo situation should be resolved.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has to go somewhere else and play every week because he can’t accept being on the bench,” Neville told Sky Sports. “That’s ok, but end it this week or make a truce to get it World cup and then finish it.
“It has to end.”
Ronaldo walked down the tunnel and left the field minutes before the end of United’s 2–0 win over Tottenham, a conduct Neville claimed was unacceptable.
“This is the second time Cristiano Ronaldo has left Old Trafford and got in his car before coming back to his team’s changing room,” Neville said.
“I must say, as someone in the dressing room, this is something that is unacceptable. When you look at whether or not Cristiano should be picked, Manchester United are better off without him – and Eric ten Haag knows it.
“The only thing Cristiano and the club can do is to come together next week and end the relationship.”
Another former United defender, Jaap Stam, said he understood Ronaldo’s frustration, but added that the 37-year-old was in danger of undermining his legacy.
“It is not fair for him to be remembered for this situation. He’s been world class, I still think he’s world class, and you don’t want to go into the history books because you’re not happy playing,” Stam said.
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