Cristiano Ronaldo's presence in the Manchester United dressing room made both Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire "feel inferior", according to Gary Neville.
The Red Devils endured a horror season, dropping from second to sixth and sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their problems continued to snowball. Internal issues were a prolonged problems with whispers of fallouts continuing to come out of Old Trafford.
Ronaldo's arrival was seen as a massive coup for the club, but on the pitch his return coincided with a notable decline - both as a team and for various individuals. Maguire and Fernandes were among them - the pair had been leaders over the past 18 months as United showed signs of improving.
Neville though has pointed to the iconic No 7 having something of an adverse effect on the pair. He said on the latest episode of the Overlap. "I think at the start of the season, he created a problem straightaway with Cavani. [He was] being pleaded to stay and lead the attack for the year, but when they signed Ronaldo, Cavani was shot then and finished. It upset the dynamic in the dressing room for Bruno.
"I think Bruno looks up to him like a godfather in Portugal so it made him feel a bit inferior to what he was before. It made Maguire a little bit inferior as captain just naturally - nothing from Ronaldo's doing this. Just his presence itself on the pitch means everyone's looking to Cristiano with Harry trying to establish himself as United captain."
He also added: "Harry Maguire has gone from someone who I think was growing on the pitch last season during Covid to someone who is now looks like he is shot to pieces when he pulls on a red shirt. Bruno looks like half the player."
Maguire's role as captain came under fire at points this season, especially with his performances dipping. Ronaldo has donned the armband previously and there was talk of him taking it on. Erik ten Hag has given no guarantees about the defender reprising his captaincy.
"I have to repeat that next season is a different season but I think he did a great job," he said. "He's a great player, he's achieved already a lot really also [with his] contribution to Manchester United. So I'm looking forward to working with him."
Fernandes meanwhile signed a new lucrative deal this season, despite not hitting the levels he has done previously. He was a talismanic figure under Solskjaer but will again have to prove himself with Ten Hag arriving.
