Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga has admitted that his opinion of Cristiano Ronaldo has not changed since his interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo's interview with Morgan was announced on Sunday night, just hours after Alejandro Garnacho's 93rd-minute winning goal against Fulham. It was not the first time that the 37-year-old had taken the spotlight away from his teammates this season, as he walked down the tunnel at Old Trafford before full-time during his side's 2-0 win over Tottenham in October.
He ignored Erik ten Hag's instructions that day, and now the Dutchman has faced scathing criticism from the former Real Madrid man. Alongside a handful of accusations, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner also claimed that the young players of today do not have the same mentality or hunger as he did.
ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo receives first January transfer offer
Ronaldo told Morgan during his interview on TalkTV: "I don't mean that they don't respect the more experienced players or the older players, but they live in a different era. I can see my kid [who is] 12 years old. The mentality is not the same, they are not suffering.
"Their hunger [is different]. I think they have things more easily, everything's easy, they don't suffer - and don't care. I don't mean only a few in Manchester United, but all the teams, in all leagues in the world, the youngsters are not the same of my generation.
"It doesn't surprise me," he added. "But in the same way, it's a shame because if they have the best examples in front of your eyes, and if they don't at least copy what you did. They don't care, a few care, but most of them, no, and for me, it doesn't surprise me.
"They are not going to have career longevity, it's impossible. In my generation, you see many players that reach 36, 37, 38 at a high level, in this new generation you will be able to count them with your hands how many will reach that level."
One of the current crop of young players at United is 20-year-old Elanga. The Swede started in his side's recent Premier League win over Fulham, and he has now responded to Ronaldo's comments.
Speaking to Swedish outlet Aftonbladet (via Sport Witness ), he said: “Cristiano talks about young players in general. We are a new generation. I am always 100 per cent focused on what I am doing, but I can understand what he is saying.
“There are a lot of phones and a lot of technology. It’s quite easy for young players to get distracted and lose focus. I always focus 100 per cent on my job and what I do. Young players at United are listening, but I can understand what he is saying.
“It is quite difficult. Everyone has their phones and I have friends in Manchester and in Sweden who want to find out what has happened. I don’t know that myself. I only know what others have heard. Hopefully I will find out the truth.
“I try to switch off. But everyone is curious, my family is almost the worst, they always want to know. That’s how it is. I might be able to say more after I get back to the club team and find out what actually happened.”
Despite the accusations made by his teammate, when asked how much Ronaldo means to Elanga, the forward was clear on how highly he still views the Portugal international.
He said: “Very much. He has helped me a lot not only on the pitch but off it as well. He is an inspiration, not only to me but to all the young players at United. Sometimes it’s just me and him at the gym.”
Elanga was also asked if his opinion of Ronaldo had changed in the wake of his comments. He said: “No, not so much. Because when I’m with him, he hasn’t changed. He is still Cristiano Ronaldo to me. He has helped me a lot."
READ NEXT:
