Roy Keane has admitted he was sad to hear of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United, though he believes the five-time Ballon d'Or winner should have left in the summer.
Following his interview with Piers Morgan, United confirmed that Ronaldo is to leave the club by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
A statement from United 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.
ALSO READ: Bruno Fernandes breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo exit from Manchester United
"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.”
Keane has now had his say on the news, as the former United captain once again defended Ronaldo, claiming that Erik ten Hag should not have used the 37-year-old as a substitute.
He told ITV: "I think it was on the cards for the last few months, the interview was the tipping point for him. But that’s it, life goes on, Manchester United are a great club, Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player.
"It was like a divorce, end of a relationship, I know how that feels, you go your separate ways, life goes on, great player for Man United, probably should’ve left the club in the summer but whether that’s the player's fault or the club’s, it was never going to happen.
"The new manager was never going to play him, you can’t have Ronaldo as a sub or a fringe player, it’s just not right, it’s just not right, it’s sad, but these things happen.
"It’s better for everyone, the club, listen, you don’t want that carrying on into the second half of the season. Ronaldo’s obviously ran out of patience, he knew he wasn’t going to be a regular.
"I think it’s straightforward. Man United fans aren’t daft. Ronaldo’s one of the greatest players, it’s not ended well but that’s life, it’s happened to previous [players].
"I go back to it, a guy that scores goals for fun, I don’t want to go down the road of pressing. The manager was never going to play him, whatever the system, high press, Ronaldo was never going to do that, he didn’t come to the club to do that, he came back to the club to get on the end of things, score you goals, bringing a player back who is 36, 37.
"So the manager, in the summer, everyone knew he wasn’t going to play. Let him go in the summer before it gets messy."
READ NEXT:
