Rooney on ex-United colleague Ronaldo: “He was bloody annoying”

Wayne Rooney has spoken openly about his time with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United. The ex-English national player did not leave a good hair on CR7.

“Cristiano was so good and so damn annoying at the same time. He’s probably not that good now, but he’s probably just as annoying,” Rooney said at a gala dinner in Manchester.

The current Derby County coach also spoke about the duel with his former team-mate at the 2006 World Cup when Ronaldo provoked Rooney’s dismissal in the quarter-finals. The former England international accused the Portuguese superstar of having a penchant for acting. “He tends to swallow,” Rooney said.

“I had no problem with Cristiano at all,” added the 36-year-old, after all he had previously done everything to ensure that Ronaldo saw a yellow card for a swallow. However, Ronaldo got away without a warning.

“I’m English, he’s Portuguese. If we play each other I don’t give a damn about him. He’s not my mate but when the game is over we’ll be friends again,” said Rooney. The two attacking players played together for Manchester United from 2004 to 2009. Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford last summer.

Manchester United: Rooney rails against Ferdinand

CR7 wasn’t the only ex-teammate to get rid of fat though. Rooney said of Rio Ferdinand: “Rio is a top player, but he’s just arrogant.”

The former defender once told Rooney: “You get a lot of money at Man United for putting the ball in the goal, so just do it.” Rooney countered: “Do your job and give me the ball, give Ronaldo the ball. Stop standing around and screwing things up.” Rio is a “fine guy,” added Rooney, “but sometimes he forgot he was a defender.”