Gary Neville says Manchester United should soon “end the relationship” with Cristiano Ronaldo, but Roy Keane reckons players “have done worse things” and that the striker is not a “bluffer”.

Ronaldo was dropped by Erik ten Hag for their 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham before leaving early during Wednesday’s victory, having walked out before half-time during a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano.

“End it this week or create a truce to get to the World Cup and then end it. Because this has to end,” said Neville.

And during a heated debate on Sky Sports with former United captain Roy Keane, Neville argued: “There aren’t many Manchester United fans who would now have Ronaldo in their starting eleven. They are better without him – they score more goals without him and they win more points without him. Manchester United are a better team without him.”

Ten Hag says he does not expect Ronaldo to leave the club during the January transfer windowand that he “counts” on him for the rest of the season, but Sky Sports pundit Neville believes the 37-year-old should leave.

“For me, Erik ten Hag had no other option. That’s the second time Ronaldo has left Old Trafford before his team-mates have got into the changing room. That is unacceptable.

“When you look at whether Ronaldo should be selected, which is obviously Ronaldo’s main problem at this moment in time – that he’s not playing – as great a player as he’s been, Manchester United are better without him.

“Erik ten Hag knows that, so I think the only thing the club and Ronaldo can do is get together in this next week or so and end the relationship. Cristiano is too good a player, too fantastic a character and the club have got to move on.

“Ronaldo can’t accept not being the star man in Manchester United’s team so he’s going to have to leave – that’s it.”

Source: Sky Sports