Wayne Rooney: 'Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United return has not worked'

Wayne Rooney has suggested that Manchester United made a mistake re-signing his former Red Devils teammate Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.

Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in August 2021 and has made 32 appearances for the English giants this term, scoring 18 goals in the process.

The 37-year-old's contribution to the team in terms of their overall play has been criticised throughout the campaign, though, and Rooney has admitted that his former side need "young, hungry players" to help them return to former glories.

"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 missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Leicester City in the Premier League through illness but is expected to be available for this weekend's contest with relegation-threatened Everton.

The Portugal international has a contract at Old Trafford until June 2023 but is believed to be considering leaving the club this summer.