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Wayne Rooney issued a one-word verdict for his former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney made 205 appearances alongside Ronaldo during their time at Old Trafford. Ronaldo left United in 2009 to join Real Madrid, where he spent five seasons sharing a dressing room with Rooney and won seven major trophies together.

Since Ronaldo’s exit, he and Rooney have ventured down different paths. Ronaldo is continuing his playing career with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Rooney retired in 2021 and has taken managerial roles at Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City.

Rooney was at Old Trafford on Saturday as he worked as a pundit for TNT Sports’ coverage of United’s Premier League clash against Everton, his boyhood club. The United legend was joined by Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott for the coverage, and the trio took part in a game on the show that saw them give one-word answers to describe their former teammates.

When Ronaldo’s name came up, Rooney answered by saying “clinical”. Ferdinand added by using the word “professional” to describe the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Ronaldo was not the only player whose name was put to Rooney to issue a one-word verdict. The 38-year-old used the word “annoying” to describe both Nani and Phil Neville.

Rooney went on to speak about how he formed friendships within the United dressing room following his move from Everton in 2004.

“Obviously I knew Rio [Ferdinand] from England before, but when I joined, there were all the other lads in there already,” said Rooney.

“Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and we had a good group, Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, Wes [Brown]. We all had a solid relationship on and off the pitch, going out together as well.”