'He believes that he is God': Enrique slams Ronaldo for phone smashing incident

Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has ripped into Cristiano Ronaldo after the Manchester United star appeared to smash a phone out of an Everton fan's hand.

Merseyside Police are investigating the incident which took place in the aftermath of United's 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Footage, which began circulating on social media after the game, showed Ronaldo appearing to knock something out of a boy's hand as he headed towards the tunnel.

Ronaldo has since apologised for his 'outburst' and has invited the boy to watch a match at Old Trafford, though the 14-year-old's mother said the experience has left Jacob wary of going to a football match again.

In response to the video, Enrique launched a scathing attack on the Portuguese superstar on social media.

In a message on Twitter, he wrote: 'I always said I didn't like him. Ronaldo believes that he is God and that he can do whatever he wants.

'I'm not saying he's not one of the best players in football history, but as a person I don't like him.'

While Enrique never faced Ronaldo's United in a Liverpool shirt he did so twice during his spell at Newcastle.

The Red Devils were victorious on both occasions, winning 6-0 at Old Trafford in 2008 - where Ronaldo netted a hat-trick - and 2-1 at St James' Park the following year.

Meanwhile, Merseyside Police have confirmed they have contacted the family of the  14-year-old autistic fan, as part of their investigations into the incident which has seen them appeal for more information.

Manchester United reportedly decided not to punish the player following claims that he smashed the Everton fan's phone.

The Sun reported that the club have accepted the Portuguese superstar's apology on social media and are no longer investigating the incident.

It comes after the boy's mother claimed her autistic son was 'assaulted' and had her phone smashed by the 37-year-old.

Sarah Kelly claimed son Jacob Harding's first trip to watch Everton was 'ruined' by the alleged altercation which happened as United left the pitch after the match.

Miss Kelly, from Upton, Merseyside, said her 14-year-old son was left with a 'bruised' hand after the phone was knocked from his grasp by Ronaldo, as the boy tried to film the United star's leg wound.

She said: 'We were right by the tunnel where they came walking past — my son was there videoing them all. And then he lowered his phone because Ronaldo had pulled down his sock and his leg was bleeding.

'He lowered his phone to see what it was — he didn't even speak. Ronaldo then just walked past, with a terrible, terrible temper and smashed the phone out of my son's hand and carried on walking.'

Miss Kelly took pictures of what she said was Jacob's bruised hand and smashed phone screen.

The 36-year-old added: 'You can see by the bruise that he's made contact. I was crying, I was shook up, Jacob was in complete shock — he's autistic and he's got dyspraxia as well, so he didn't really digest what was happening until we got home. He's really upset and it's completely put him off going to the game again.

'Ronaldo's a big player. My son's always been like "Ronaldo's going to be there" — he's an icon. I'd understand if Jacob was waving it in his face but he wasn't near his face, it was down by the floor checking his injury. He's an autistic boy and he's been assaulted by a football player, that's how I see it as a mum.'

Ronaldo posted an apology to his Instagram page on Saturday night.

'It's never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing,' he wrote.

'Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game. I would like to apologise for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair play and sportsmanship.'

Merseyside Police confirmed that they were liaising with both clubs.

In a message on Twitter, they wrote: '@MerseyPolice can confirm that they're carrying out an investigating following an incident at the #EVEMAN match at Goodison involving a player as they were walking off the pitch and will be speaking to all parties involved.'

It was not a good day at the office for Ronaldo or United - who have won just one of their last five Premier League games.

Ronaldo struggled throughout the lifeless defeat as his United team-mates failed to provide any service.

He did eventually have a chance to level things up late on but was denied from close range by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

As a result, the Red Devils now look unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season.