Expert lambasts ‘unprofessional’ Cristiano Ronaldo after new Man United development

Noel Whelan has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo must now be “professional” and help his Man United teammates or risk an extended spell out of the side.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted there has been “too much talk” about the 37-year-old’s future.

Ronaldo asked to leave Old Trafford earlier this summer but a concrete move is yet to materialise despite links to a number of Champions League clubs.

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According to The Sun (26 August), Ten Hag is “angry” at Ronaldo after he promised a tell-all interview in the wake of ongoing speculation about his future.

The report claims the Dutchman wants the striker out of the club – while “a number of players” feel his “attitude and mood” is affecting spirit at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo was dropped for the 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday (22 August) – coming off the substitutes’ bench in the dying embers of the derby clash.

Whelan suggested he could be facing an extended spell outside the starting lineup after that victory.

He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s lost his place after the win on Monday.

“But he’s a big player, there’s no doubt about that. He needs to make up his mind.

“If there’s no move in the pipeline, he needs to knuckle down and bring that same level that we saw last season.

“He needs to be someone who is professional and someone who supports the other players in the dressing room, especially the younger players.

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“There’s been too much controversy and too much talk from him and around him. Now he’s got to come up with a plan.

“If he’s not going to get his move, he’s got to knuckle down and start working hard very quickly.”

In other news, pundit backs Man United to submit new Antony bid after journalist’s update.