Cristiano Ronaldo must accept that he is no longer one of the world’s best players after reaching the end of his time at Manchester United, Teddy Sheringham says.
The former England forward, who alongside Ronaldo is one of six men to score in a European Cup final for the club, believes that the Portuguese considers himself "bigger and better" than the reality.
And Sheringham warns that awkward conversations will still need to be had at Old Trafford after the World Cup following part one of Ronaldo’s explosive interview in which, among several claims, he accused Erik ten Hag of having no respect for him.
“He has been one of the best two players over the past 20 years, there is no denying that, but when a player speaks as if he is seemingly bigger than the football club, that can’t happen,” Sheringham says of Ronaldo.
“He thinks he is bigger and better than where he is at. He needs to realise he’s past his best as a footballer. He’s not in his late 20s anymore, he’s in his late 30s, and you need to be used sparingly.
“That he doesn’t respect the manager is the main thing. That’s the end of him at Manchester United. There's no way he can go back after the World Cup and think everything will be fine. That’s not going to happen. Especially the way Ten Hag has started.
“He should have gone at the start of the season when he made it known that he was unhappy. They’ve tried to make things work but it’s obviously not right. The time is now to go.”
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But Sheringham does not believe Ronaldo’s comments will have an impact on Portugal’s World Cup - because his hold on the national team remains so strong. The 37-year-old will captain his nation in Qatar to join a select group of four players to have featured at five different World Cups.
“He’ll be such an influence in their dressing room that I’m sure he’ll speak openly,” Sheringham adds. “But Portugal will be focused on the World Cup. This isn’t their problem. The problem will be when he comes back to United after the World Cup because there is a little time before the transfer window opens. That will be a strange time.”
Teddy Sheringham will be hosting the first of Budweiser’s Official England Watch Parties for Iran vs England, on 21 November at The Outernet venue in Tottenham Court Road. The ultimate ‘football night out’ will bring together some of the most famous DJ’s including Sigma and Wilkinson, England legends including Teddy Sheringham and David Seaman, and fans in a viewing party like no other. For the full list of events and tickets, click here .
