Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Wayne Rooney of jealousy after the Englishman claimed his return to Manchester United has not been successful.
Portugal captain Ronaldo rejoined the Red Devils in a £20million transfer from Juventus last summer after 11 years away from Old Trafford. He is the club's top scorer this season with 18 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions and has produced some breathtaking heroics, especially in the Champions League group stage.
However, there are lingering concerns about the 37-year-old's work rate in attack which have only been exacerbated since Ralf Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the dugout. And while Rooney acknowledged the "important goals" Ronaldo has contributed this season, he insisted United would be better off relying on "young, hungry players" going forward.
"You'd have to say no at the minute," the former England captain said on Sky Sports ' Monday Night Football earlier this week when asked if Ronaldo's return has worked out. "I think he's scored goals, he's scored important goals in the Champions League early on in the season, he scored the hat-trick against Tottenham.
"But I think if you're looking to the future of the club, you have to go with younger, hungry players to do the best and lift Manchester United over these next two or three years. Obviously Cristiano is getting on a bit, he certainly isn't the player he was when he was in his 20s, and that happens, that's football.
"He's a goal threat but the rest of the game they need more, they need young, hungry players." Ronaldo appears to have taken issue with Rooney's comments and hit back at his ex-teammate's Instagram post from Monday Night Football by writing: "Two jealous."
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The five-time Ballon d'Or winner may have taken issue with Rooney's assertion that United should rely on their youngsters. Ronaldo is famously meticulous about his training and diet, so he remains in phenomenal physical condition despite his advanced years.
However, Rooney emphasised the need for his more junior teammates to "bring energy", adding: "I think they've got good young players. I think [Jadon] Sancho will be better next year, I think Marcus [Rashford] will be better next year. They've got good young players, I think Jesse Lingard should be playing for them because he brings energy, he brings quality.
"Scott McTominay has done well, so they have got some good young players. They just have to get that confidence, get them believing they are good players and perform at a better level and then obviously whoever the new manager is he'll bring his own players in and try to rebuild that group."
