Marcus Rashford has paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo and thanked him for “everything he has done for Manchester United.”
Rashford and Ronaldo struck up a close relationship at Old Trafford and the England striker is clearly disappointed to see his “idol” leave the club.
Ronaldo and United came to an agreement to terminate the 37-year-old’s contract after he gave a long, explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he accused the club of betraying him. Ronaldo also aimed fierce criticism at Erik ten Hag and suggested the younger players at United did not want to learn from one of the greatest of all time, in reference to himself.
His comments were greeted with anger and disappointment by the United fanbase and by senior figures in the club. But when Rashford was asked for his thoughts on the abrupt departure of Ronaldo, he had nothing but praise for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
"It has been an unbelievable experience to play with him,” Rashford declared. "He is one of my idols and someone I always looked up to.
“It is something I can keep with me forever, I wish him all the best and we want to thank him for the things he’s done for Manchester United."
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While many supporters and staff at Old Trafford believe the Portuguese star has tainted his United legacy, Rashford was joining Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire in paying tribute to Ronaldo while on World Cup duty.
Portugal team-mate Fernandes echoed similar sentiments to Rashford, while also insisting he does not have to pick a side in terms of United or Ronaldo.
"I don’t feel uncomfortable. I don’t have to pick a side,” Fernandes told reporters while on international duty with Portugal out in Qatar. “It was a dream come true to play with Cristiano [at United] but nothing lasts forever."
Red Devils skipper Maguire clearly harbours no ill-feeling towards the former United talisman either, as he sung Ronaldo's praises ahead of England's second World Cup group stage clash against the USA last Friday.
"As a footballer nobody likes being criticised but I think it's part and parcel of the game. I've played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last couple of years and he's one of the greatest players to ever kick a football.
"He gets criticised daily, so if it's going to happen to him and the position I'm in playing for Manchester United, it's going to happen to each and every one of us.
"You've just got to work hard, go into training, do your best and that's all you can do."
