Man Utd urged to create Cristiano Ronaldo exit ‘truce’, as Gary Neville emphasises why ‘this has to end’

Manchester United need to end their association with Cristiano Ronaldo at the earliest opportunity since they are a better team without him, according to Gary Neville.

Ronaldo was absent for Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday evening. Erik ten Hag refused to call him up after the attacker’s decision not to come off the bench in their previous match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Consequently, there was a great deal of conversation about Ronaldo’s situation in the build-up to the game. It has continued after the final whistle of a match Manchester United drew thanks to a late equaliser by Casemiro.

Ronaldo recently attributed his early exit from watching the Tottenham game to “the heat of the moment” getting the better of him. However, after also leaving a pre-season friendly early a few months ago, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner may face a battle to rebuild some of the bridges he has burned.

The former Real Madrid superstar already tried to leave Manchester United in the summer. However, no club found it both tempting and feasible to take him away from Old Trafford.

Soon, though, the topic of an exit could come back into focus. Although Manchester United have the option to extend his contract until 2024, rather than 2023, they have now been advised by Neville to cut ties with Ronaldo sooner.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the draw with Chelsea, Neville said: “End it this week or create a truce to get to the World Cup and then end it. Because this has to end.

“There aren’t many Manchester United fans who would now have Ronaldo in their starting XI. They are better without him.

“They score more goals without him and they win more points without him. Manchester United are a better team without him.”

Neville backs Ten Hag call over Ronaldo

Ronaldo has appeared in eight Premier League matches so far since Ten Hag replaced Ralf Rangnick over the summer. However, only two of those outings have been as a starter.

Now, things may have reached the end of the line. Neville accepts a player as talented as Ronaldo should be playing regularly, even at the age of 37. But that might not – and perhaps should not – be for Manchester United.

He continued: “For me, Erik ten Hag had no other option. That’s the second time Ronaldo has left Old Trafford before his teammates have got into the changing room. That is unacceptable.

“When you look at whether Ronaldo should be selected, which is obviously Ronaldo’s main problem at this moment in time – that he’s not playing – as great a player as he’s been, Manchester United are better without him.

“Erik ten Hag knows that. So I think the only thing the club and Ronaldo can do is get together in this next week or so and end the relationship.

“Cristiano is too good a player, too fantastic a character and the club have got to move on.”

Ronaldo’s record for Manchester United across his two spells with the club reads 342 appearances, 144 goals and 63 assists.

Having also represented Sporting CP, Real Madrid and Juventus across his glittering career, perhaps it will soon be time for a new challenge.

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