YOU'RE RON
Wayne Rooney disagrees with Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim Man Utd have to be ‘top three team’ and piles pressure on Rangnick
DERBY manager Wayne Rooney has corrected fellow Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese said their old side needs to be in the top three.
Rooney and Ronaldo spent five years playing together at United and won a raft of silverware, including three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League.
2
Many thought that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's return to Old Trafford would bring the club back to its former glory but the Red Devils are still languishing.
The Portugal captain claimed United need to be a top-three side at least, but Rooney insists the Manchester giants should be 'top-one team'.
The record United scorer also piled pressure on interim manager Ralf Rangnick, insisting he still needs to find a way to win trophies.
Rooney said: “Manchester United have to be a top-one team, not top three.
“That's the demands which the fans put on you, the demands that the club has.
“Of course, they're going through a difficult period but, make no mistake, that's a club that has to be winning championships.
BETTING SPECIAL - GET £40 IN FREE BETS ON THE AFCON
Most read in Football
"It has to be winning trophies and that's the pressure with coming and playing or working for Manchester United.
“That's the level they need to be back to. I'm sure they'll do the right things to get them back to that place.”
This comes after Ronaldo questioned United's mentality amid a turbulent season, which includes rumours of a dressing room rift.
The star forward also hinted his return could be short-lived as he doesn't want to be at a club fighting "to be in sixth place, or seventh place".
Ronaldo recently said: "Manchester United should win the league, or be in second or third. I don't see other positions for Manchester United to be honest, I don't see it.
2
"In my eyes, I don't accept that our mentality be less than to be in the top three in the Premier League in my opinion."
Ronaldo added: "I don't want to be here at the club to fight to be in sixth place, or seventh place or fifth place.
"I'm here to try to win, to compete and I think we [do] compete, but we are not yet at our best level.
"But we have a long way to improve and I believe that if we change our mind, we can achieve big things."
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Ronaldo and Man Utd players train ahead of match against Aston Villa
Topics