Gary Neville says what ‘has’ to happen with Cristiano Roanldo’s future at Man Utd

Gary Neville has said Cristiano Ronaldo ‘has to leave’ Manchester United immediately or in January as he ‘cannot accept not being the star man’ at the club.

Ronaldo wasn’t involved in the United squad on Saturday when the Red Devils drew 1-1 with Chelsea, due to his actions on Wednesday. The forward refused to come off the bench in the latter stages of the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur and then stormed down the touchline and out of the stadium before the final whistle.

As a result, United opted against selecting Ronaldo as part of the group that travelled to Stamford Bridge and was forced to train with the Under-21s. There have even been rumours the 37-year-old could have his contract terminated or be allowed to leave the club in January.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said that’s the best course of action for everyone. “Your career is like a mountain, at the start you come in and get a few games, then you come out and then you come in,” said the former United defender.

“Then you get to the top of the mountain and you’re in for about 10 years. Then you get to the other side and you have to either accept that you play for a big club with fewer games, happens to everyone, or you go to a lesser club and you play all the time.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is going to have to go somewhere else because he can’t accept being on the bench every week. That’s fine but I think end it this week or create a truce and get to the World Cup and then end it, because it has to end.

“Cristiano cannot accept not being the star man in Man United’s team so he is going to have to leave,” Neville added. “I hope he leaves next week and says ‘thank you very much’ and the club say thank you to him and he goes and gets a new club. I’d like to see him play until he’s 42 and score a thousand goals.”