Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United made a mistake by re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.
Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in August 2021 from Juventus and has made 32 appearances for the English champions this season, scoring 18 goals.
The 37-year-old’s overall contribution to the squad has been criticized during the campaign, and Rooney has stated that his former side requires “fresh, eager players” to help them reclaim their previous glory.
“You’d have to say no at the minute (has the move worked). I think he’s scored goals, he’s scored important goals in the Champions League early on in the season, he obviously scored the hat-trick against Tottenham, but I think if you’re looking to the future of the club, you have to go with younger, hungry players to do the best and lift Manchester United over these next two or three years,” Rooney told Sky Sports News.
“Obviously Cristiano is getting on a bit, he certainly isn’t the player he was when he was in his 20s, and that happens, that’s football. He’s a goal threat but the rest of the game they need more, they need young, hungry players.”
Ronaldo was ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League match against Leicester City due to sickness, but is expected to be ready for this weekend’s match against relegation-threatened Everton.
The Portugal international’s contract at Old Trafford expires in June 2023, although he is rumored to be contemplating his options this summer.
