Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney believes Cristiano Ronaldo "got what he wanted" by leaving Old Trafford after his interview with Piers Morgan, but insists the Portuguese forward remains a club legend.
Ronaldo departed United in November following a controversial interview with Morgan on TalkTV. During the conversation, the 38-year-old took aim at Erik ten Hag as well as the Glazers and some of his former teammates.
Ronaldo claimed that Rooney was "probably jealous" of him and that was why his former United teammate had been critical of him.
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Now, in an interview with CNN, Rooney has addressed his former teammate's departure from Old Trafford. He said: "I suppose he got what he wanted.
"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 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 cup."
When asked whether the manner of his exit would tarnish his reputation, Rooney claimed that Ronaldo's status with the Reds remains unblemished. "No, I think what he’s done for Manchester United is great," he added.
"And he’s won Premier League titles, won the Champions League, scored many goals. So I think certainly for the fans and certainly for the players, his former teammates who played with him from my time especially, we’ll never forget what he did for Manchester United. Because, in my eyes, he’ll always be a club legend and it’s a shame the way it ended of course this time around.
"But I don’t think that takes anything away from his legacy at the club."
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