Gary Neville says Cristiano Ronaldo has the qualities to be a leader in the current Manchester United squad.
But in an interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Neville criticised the Portuguese superstar for not being that presence in the squad.
Ronaldo wants to leave to play Champions League football, but so far no concrete offers have come forward to take him away from Old Trafford.
And Neville said that Ronaldo could be the kind of bulletproof leader Roy Keane and others were at United, but is not doing so.
Neville criticises Cristiano Ronaldo
“These players go out on the pitch now and they feel alone. That’s where I am a little bit critical of Cristiano,” said Neville.
“You’re the man. You’re the star, the best player in the world. Come on. Now is not a time to be throwing your arms around. Now is not a time to be walking off the pitch.
“It is a time to make sure you lead those people. He wants to leave and who can blame him? He is the only player in the dressing room who could lead them.
“He is the only one with the mental strength. You can’t touch him with criticism or words. He can withstand all this pressure and protect those players on the pitch. That’s what Roy Keane and Eric Cantona did.”
Ronaldo is captain of Portugal, but of course Harry Maguire wears the armband at Old Trafford, which has been the topic of some contention in recent times.
Ronaldo’s ability to influence the younger players in the side was talked up when he arrived, but at the moment, he is the epitome of frustration.
He tends to walk off without clapping the fans at the end of matches, and frequently throws his hands in the air if things do not go his way.
That is what Neville is referring to when he is being critical of his former teammate, while we wait to see if he gets his wish to leave.
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