Ex-England skipper Wayne Rooney has said that his former Red Devils teammate Cristiano Ronaldo "is probably not as good now", but he is still "annoying".
"Cristiano [Ronaldo] was so good and so f***ing annoying at the same time", Rooney said on Saturday as he spoke at an exclusive event in Manchester. "He is probably not as good now, but he is probably just as annoying", he added.
Subsequently, the ex-Everton forward took a dig at the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's tactics, which saw him being red-carded during the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals against Portugal in 2006.
"He likes diving", the Liverpool-born former footballer said. "I had no issue with Cristiano whatsoever. I spoke to him in the tunnel. I said, 'I have no issue with you getting me sent off', because I'd spent the first half trying to get him booked for diving", Rooney added.
Rooney then revealed that despite Ronaldo's play-acting resulting in England's exit from the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the duo bonded really well and shared a healthy relationship with each other at Manchester.
"I am English, he is Portuguese", he said. "When we are playing I do not give a f*** about him. He is not my mate. But when we have finished, we are mates again", Rooney concluded.
Rooney and Ronaldo were teammates at United from 2004 to 2009 before the Portuguese hitman left for Real Madrid, where he went on to become the Spanish club's all-time scorer with 450 goals.
Last summer, the 37-year-old Portuguese football star rejoined United for his second stint.
But unlike his first spell, where he won both the Champions League and the English top flight under Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo has been unable to weave his magic in United's current campaign.
Ralf Rangnick's men have already lost out on the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Premier League.
United, however, still have a job in hand if they are to make it to next season's Champions League. At the moment, Ronaldo and company are sixth in the table and only the top four qualify for Europe's premier club competition.
With 54 points, Arsenal occupy the fourth spot, followed by Tottenham in fifth with 51. But unlike United, who have 50 in 29 matches, the Gunners have played a game less than the Red Devils.