Neville slams Ronaldo for putting ‘real pressure’ on Ole at Man Utd

Gary Neville has criticised Man Utd striker Cristiano Ronaldo for storming off down the tunnel at full-time in their 1-1 draw against Everton.

While in a stronger position than they were at the same stage last season, the Red Devils failed to build on the feelgood factor of Wednesday’s last-gasp Champions League victory against Villarreal.

Man Utd had taken the lead when Anthony Martial struck just before half-time against Rafa Benitez’s men – but Everton hit back through Andros Townsend in the 65th-minute to take a share of the spoils.

Premier League winners and Solskjaer (plus other losers)

Ronaldo reacted badly to the defeat against the Toffees but Neville thought it was unecessary for the Portugal international to heap pressure on Solskjaer.

Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: “I watched the game and I watched him walk off. I can’t say I like it.

“Is Cristiano upset when he doesn’t play? Yes. If he upset when he doesn’t score? Yes. Is Cristiano annoyed as hell when the team doesn’t win? Of course. We know these things, he doesn’t need to prove that.

“He walked off the pitch muttering to himself which in some ways throws the questions up in the air. ‘What’s he saying? Who’s he annoyed with?’ And it can only come back to the manager.

“So I do think actions like that – Ronaldo is smart enough to know – will bring real pressure, more pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“It is what it is but I think that has to be managed in the next couple of months. Cristiano won’t always score and can’t play ever single game, but I think if he’s going to walk off like that it’s going to put immense pressure on Ole.

“There’s no doubt the talk after the game was about the manager.”

And Neville has urged Solskjaer – who signed Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho in the summer – to “be selfish” in order to bring success to Man Utd this season.

Neville added: “The worst thing that can happen with Ole… he’s been an incredible bridge from, not a dark period for the club, but a period where the club lost its identity and lost its way.

“There’s no doubt the club lost its way after Fergie left. Ole has returned some of the values back to the club. There’s a group there who do want to play for the club.

“The signings have been a lot like Manchester United, but I do feel now with the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho… they’re recognised world-class talents, and with that comes a pressure to deliver.

“Ole knows it’s make or break this season. You have to win a trophy with players like that.

“So he needs to look after himself, be selfish and make sure he manages Cristiano in such a way and has a word with him to say, ‘look, come on, if you’re going to do that, do it in the changing room because ultimately that does bring extra pressure on me’.

“I don’t think it would have helped Ole but on the other hand, Cristiano is not a sheep and won’t just follow. He will demonstrate his dislike and his lack of happiness in that situation.”