Louis Saha has hit out at Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to snub Gary Neville on live television last month.
Saha, a former Manchester United striker, was on punditry duty for Sky Sports with Neville for United's Premier League fixture against West Ham back in October. But the duo were thrust into the spotlight ahead of the match after Ronaldo completely blanked Neville in a frosty exchange that went viral after being caught on camera.
Ronaldo shook hands with Saha and Jamie Redknapp but chose to ignore Neville, who had been critical of his former teammate's behaviour in the weeks building up to the game.
Although Saha has stayed silent on the incident, the Frenchman has now spoken out and claimed that it was "not necessary" for Ronaldo to ignore his former Old Trafford colleague.
Saha told Lord Ping: "I thought Ronaldo and Neville had said hello before the handshake incident or something.
"Ronaldo was obviously hurt by Neville's comments but what people have said, especially teammates, everyone has been on his back. People have been very harsh on him, demanding improvements. Neville has his own opinion, that's his job. The snub from Ronaldo was not necessary but everyone has a different reaction.
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"Ronaldo could have called Neville and gave his own opinion to him, but he chose to snub him because he's ruthless like how everyone has been ruthless with him."
Ronaldo was quizzed on the incident during his explosive, unsanctioned interview with Piers Morgan earlier this month. The Portuguese veteran simply explained that the former right-back was "not his friend".
As well as speaking out on his awkward encounter with Neville, Ronaldo also took aim at Wayne Rooney - another former Manchester United player who had questioned Ronaldo's behaviour.
Ronaldo also launched a sensational attack on Erik ten Hag and the Glazer family in an interview that effectively made his position at the club untenable.
In a statement released last week, Manchester United confirmed that the club had reached an agreement with Ronaldo - who is currently at the World Cup with the Portugal national team - that would see the forward leave Old Trafford with "immediate effect".
After agreeing to rip up the final six months of the lucrative two-year deal he penned just last summer, Ronaldo is now free to join a new club immediately - but it is unlikely that the former Juventus star will resolve his future until after the World Cup.
