Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville had a public disagreement over Cristiano Ronaldo’s surprise transfer request to Manchester United.
Less than a year after rejoining the Red Devils from Juventus, Ronaldo reportedly informed United that he intends to leave the club this summer if a decent offer comes in.
The Portuguese superstar scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, but despite his efforts, United concluded the season without a trophy and finished sixth in the Premier League, thereby missing out on a Champions League spot.
Ronaldo’s desire to play Champions League football next season and a perception of United’s lack of ambition in the transfer market this summer are reported to be the driving forces behind his decision to leave.
His request has shocked the whole football community and has the potential to scuttle United’s preseason plans.
Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, has now sharpened the wound by asserting that he always anticipated Ronaldo’s comeback to go poorly for United.
“Ronaldo did exactly what I thought he would do, score goals but make the team worse,” Carragher wrote on Twitter.
“The transfer request also kills the idea he turned down Man City because of his love for Man United”, and ended with a laughing emoji.
Gary Neville, a former United captain and Carragher’s coworker at Sky Sports, promptly responded on Twitter.
“I get it, you’re full of yourselves but he can turn down City for United because he likes them more and still want to leave this summer. He left before but still loved the club,” Neville replied the tweet.
“Enjoy Saturday night and your short period of success,” added Neville, who was referring to Jurgen Klopp’s recent success with the Reds.
In response, Carragher used an emoji to taunt Neville for celebrating Ronaldo’s return to the team last summer by calling him a clown.
“City didn’t want him you 🤡 and you’re the same fella who kept saying it was like Elvis had arrived in Manchester! Elvis has left the building,” replied Carragher.
Neville ended their Twitter argument by writing the phrase “a little less conversation” in response to Carragher’s reference to Elvis Presley, the American “King of Rock and Roll”.
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is now in discussions with a number of clubs to try and locate a prospective buyer for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Portugal captain has been linked with a variety of teams, including Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s believed that Ronaldo has not yet received a compelling offer that would persuade him to leave Old Trafford.
Was Ronaldo’s comeback a mistake? Has he destroyed the team? Was Carragher correct or incorrect? Share your comment below.
