"He likes diving" - Rooney says Ronaldo was 'so f***ing annoying'

Wayne Rooney recently joked about former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, calling him "fu***ing annoying."

The duo achieved great success playing together for United, winning multiple league titles along with a Champions League trophy. However, when they faced each other in their national colors in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, things were quite different.

England lost 3-1 to Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals as Rooney was sent off. Many believe he was sent off due to Ronaldo's aggressive appeal to the referee after the Englishman's challenge on Ricardo Carvalho.

Speaking at a black-tie event in Manchester on Saturday, Rooney spoke about his former teammate and the World Cup incident and said (via The Sun):

“Cristiano was so good and so f***ing annoying at the same time. He is probably not as good now but he is probably just as annoying. He likes diving.”

He added:

“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. I am English, he is Portuguese. 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.”

Manchester United hope Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot benefit from potential national success

Portugal defeated Turkey 3-1 in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, 24 March. They will now face North Macedonia, who beat Italy 1-0, on Tuesday, 29 March for the chance to feature in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

It could be a huge moment for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner as this could be his final World Cup appearance. He was impressive against Turkey, being involved in the first two goals. Fernandes and Dalot were also decent in helping their side secure the win.

Manchester United will hope that the trio return to Old Trafford rejuvenated if they beat North Macedonia on Tuesday. The Red Devils sit sixth in the Premier League, four points off fourth-placed Arsenal, who have played one game more. The two teams, however, are set to face each other at the Emirates Stadium on 23 April.

It could be a crucial fixture and a big couple of months for the Red Devils. The likes of Ronaldo, Fernandes and Dalot could have a big part to play if Manchester United are to make it to the top four.