Rio Ferdinand has backed Cristiano Ronaldo in his wish to leave Manchester United this summer and hit out at supporters who have questioned the professionalism of their star striker.
Ronaldo, 37, is yet to return to pre-season training under new manager Erik ten Hag with the forward officially signed off due to 'family reasons', an explanation accepted by the club. Fresh reports emerged over the weekend suggesting Ronaldo was unhappy at Old Trafford and didn't want to waste a precious year of his career playing in the Europa League during an uncertain time at the club.
The Manchester Evening News revealed earlier this week that United's inactivity in the transfer market and a salary reduction are among the other issues that have convinced Ronaldo to try and seek a move away from the club, amid interest from Chelsea.
READ MORE: Three issues driving Ronaldo's desire to leave
Ferdinand has jumped to the defence of his close friend and former teammates. He says he understands why Ronaldo wants a change of scenery in the summer transfer window.
"Of course he's not happy!" Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube Channel. "You're talking about Cristiano Ronaldo here! I don't understand how it's a big story that Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy with the way things are at Man United. He can't be. I wouldn't be.
"Anyone who wants to win football matches or trophies, anyone who is used to winning and competing every year at the top of the table for the biggest prizes, and then all of a sudden isn't — and doesn't even qualify for the Champions League — you can't sit here and expect them to be happy.
"He's not happy with missing out on the Champions League, he doesn't even know what the Europa League soundtrack sounds like! When that comes on, he's going to be thinking "what dance am I in here?'"
Former England international Ferdinand also went on to hit out at fans who have criticised Ronaldo for wanting out, insisting that his absence did not compromise his professionalism as an elite athlete.
He added: "I've been seeing people being a touch disrespectful. The way that people are questioning 'he's not here' and the hysteria surrounding it. A member of his family is not well, so he's not at training.
"This is the most consummate, most professional athlete that we've seen on these shores. The most professional athlete we've seen for over 15 years and people are questioning this guy's professionalism and why he's not at the training ground.
"Yeah he might want to leave, he might not be happy with certain things at the football club, but in terms of professionalism, this guy is training where he is - we've seen the pictures. His family are there, he needs to be where they are and you have to respect that. Simple as. Could it have been communicated better by the club? Probably."
Ferdinand also agreed with Ronaldo's concerns about a lack of transfer activity at the club this summer, especially in comparison with their two biggest domestic rivals. United have signed Tyrell Malacia and are close to confirming a deal for Christian Eriksen, though Ronaldo has grown impatient with their response to a disastrous season in which they finished trophyless and didn't qualify for the Champions League.
Ferdinand continued: "He [Ronaldo] will be sitting there on his sun lounger, on his yacht, on his jet. Wherever he is in the world and seeing Man City signing [Erling] Haaland. Seeing Liverpool signing [Darwin] Nunez among other players. [Kalvin] Phillips has gone to City as well.
"He'll be sitting there thinking 'we had work to do to catch these guys anyway before these big signings and now they're jumping even further away from us'. Arsenal are making moves, he'll be thinking 'when is my team going to start making moves?'. We all know we need some new faces in that building. He hasn't seen any movement.
"I understand the frustrations. I definitely would be frustrated. I as a player was on to the manager, on to David Gill [asking] who are we signing? That's the way I was. I'm sure that's what Cristiano is like and other players will be like that as well. He's the biggest name but he won't be the only one who's disgruntled with the way things are.
"We're slow out of the blocks in the transfer market. There will have been work going on behind the scenes at Man United but we're all human, we're all impatient and we all want it done."
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