Cristiano Ronaldo claims that Wayne Rooney criticises him “to be on the cover of the paper”

“I really don’t understand people like that."

Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to Wayne Rooney's criticism regarding his behaviour since returning to Manchester United. The two superstars played together under Sir Alex Ferguson and enjoyed an incredible on-field relationship, winning every trophy that you can win, and scoring goals for fun. There was always a bit of tension however, due to Ronaldo's involvement with Rooney's sending off at the 2006 World Cup, where it appeared that the Portuguese star played a part in trying to influence the referee's decision. However, they managed to put that to bed and enjoy a hugely fruitful relationship on the pitch, giving those at Old Trafford some unforgettable memories. Since the five-time Ballon d'or winner returned to the club last year, Rooney hasn't been afraid to criticise his former colleague though. Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-England striker blasted Ronaldo for his behaviour earlier in the season, when he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.

"I just think the things he has done from the start of the season, it is not acceptable for Manchester United. I’ve seen Roy Keane defending him. Roy wouldn’t accept that. Roy wouldn’t accept that at all.

“It is a distraction which Manchester United don’t need at the minute, trying to rebuild. “For Cristiano, just get your head down and work and be ready to play when the manager needs you. If he does that, he will be an asset. If he doesn’t, it will become an unwanted distraction.” Now, in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo has hit back.

"I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level.

"I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true…

“It was one year ago, or six months ago. We’re here in my house, he picked up his kids here and he invited (12-year-old son) Cristiano to go to his house to play football.

“I really don’t understand people like that. Or if they want to be on a cover of the paper in the news or they want new jobs or whatever."

It wasn't just Rooney who was in the bad books as the 37-year-old also went after his old captain Gary Neville, following his criticism on Sky Sports. https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/1592420490932809729 "It's hard to listen to that sort of criticism and negativity from people who play with you, for example Gary Neville as well. People can have their own opinion but they don't know what is going inside the training ground at Carrington - or even my life.

"They shouldn't listen to one point of view - they should listen to my point of view as well, because it's easy to criticise [when] you don't know the whole story.

"They are not my friends, they are colleagues. We play together, they're not coming, we're not ever having dinner together." Neville only had three words in his response, when he tweeted: "Anyone for Dinner?" It wasn't all bad news for the ex-teammates of United's number seven, as he went on to dish out some praise for Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane. Ronaldo said that the Irishman was “my best captain ever" and that he and Rio Ferdinand are "very good guys... Not just because they speak good about me, but they was there in the dressing room. "They are football players. They know how players think and behave.” Related links:

• Wayne Rooney calls out Ronaldo and Roy Keane in live radio interview
• Bruno Fernandes shares awkward dressing room reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo
• Cristiano Ronaldo set to be fined £1m for Piers Morgan interview