Gary Neville has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United after spotting a positive change in the atmosphere between the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and his teammates.
Speculation over the future of Ronaldo, 37, was at fever pitch during the summer transfer window. However, after expressing a desire to leave, no suitors came forward and he was forced to stay put at Old Trafford.
Since then, the Portugal captain has played a bit-part role for United and Erik ten Hag - although he did score the winner against Everton last Sunday afternoon. It was after that goal at Goodison Park that Neville thinks he saw evidence of a warmer relationship between Ronaldo and his teammates.
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Speaking to Mirror Online, he said: "What I would hope is that, like with any player coming towards the end of his career, that he'll accept that he won't play every single game and he'll stay and become a massive contributor like he was on Sunday night. If Ronaldo stays, they have a far better chance of being a top-four team.
"But I suspect his mentality, his psyche is such that he can't not play. He feels this is an insult and people I respect enormously in the game think he's being disrespected by being on the bench, but I don't see that at all. I think Erik ten Hag has come out of this really well."
Neville added: "For me, I hope he can somehow think; 'Where am I going to play where the fans love me as much? Where there are still trophies on the table? In the summer, no-one wanted him in the window. I think United have played it pretty well, this one.
"He's playing, doing the right things on and off the pitch. There are no conversations coming out about Ronaldo at this moment in time about anything, it's just all focus to getting ready for the World Cup.
"I thought it was interesting when he scored that goal [against Everton]. I thought the players who were out there on the pitch really responded to that and you can tell a lot in celebrations."
Neville continued: "I have to say, over the last 12 months, there have been times where when he's scored or when someone else has scored and I've thought there isn't much togetherness there. I did feel that on Sunday there was genuinely good atmosphere in the group who went to celebrate with him."
"I think that's something that is really important. So the fact that has happened makes me feel that he, at this very moment, has got his head on."
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