Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has claimed that there was "no option" to let Cristiano Ronaldo remain at Old Trafford after "he attacked the club".
United confirmed that Ronaldo is to leave the club by mutual agreement with immediate effect in a statement on Tuesday evening.
It read: "The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.
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"Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch."
Ronaldo responded with a message of his own, saying: “Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early. I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
"I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
After being criticised by Ronaldo, Rooney has in turn responded to the latest update, as he shared his thoughts on the club's decision to part ways with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Rooney told Visa India's Match Centre: "I think it's sad. It's sad to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, as I've said many times one of the best players of all time, to see it end this way with Manchester United is obviously, as a former teammate and a fan of Manchester United, it's sad to see it end this way.
"But I think once everyone's seen the interview, with Piers Morgan and how he attacked the club. I think there was no option. There's no option for this [not] to happen, so I'm not surprised, no.
"It's a shame because he's been a fantastic servant for Manchester United and I wish him all the best which whichever club he goes to next.
"He's obviously still a very good player. And as I've said before, he's not the player he was when he was 23. He's now 37. And I still felt there was a part for him to play at Manchester United, maybe not from the start, but coming on. He obviously doesn't feel he's ready to accept that role and he obviously wants to continue his career elsewhere.
"So for the club, is probably the best thing I think it allows them to focus on the players who are there and who want to be there, and for Cristiano, his focus will solely be on the World Cup and Portugal and then after this tournament, I'm sure there'll be teams looking to sign him. Certainly, if he has a good tournament, there'll be a lot of teams looking to try and sign him."
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