Ronaldo not the player to take Man Utd forward, ex-teammate Rooney insists

Wayne Rooney doesn’t think Cristiano Ronaldo is the best forward option for Manchester United.

37-year-old Ronaldo has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but some have criticised his inability to press defences high up the ground.

With one year remaining on his contract, Rooney believes his former United teammate can’t give the club what they need moving forward.

Asked if Ronaldo had experienced the desired impact since arriving from Juventus last summer, Rooney replied: “You’d have to say no, at the minute.

“He’s scored important goals early on in the season in the Champions League and he’s scored the hat-trick against Tottenham but I think if you’re looking towards the future of the club, you have to go with younger, hungry players to lift United over the next two or three years.

“Cristiano is getting on a bit and he’s certainly not the player he was when he was in his 20s and that happens. He’s a goal threat but I think during the rest of the game, they need more.”