"Messi is the GOAT", "Being a United Stan did not let me admit it" - Manchester United fans turn on Cristiano Ronaldo after reported transfer request

Some Manchester United fans have ditched Cristiano Ronaldo for Lionel Messi in the Greatest of All Time debate after it emerged that the Portuguese wants to leave the Red Devils.

Ronaldo became a fan favorite during his first stint with the Old Trafford outfit under then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He remained in the supporters' good books despite leaving the club for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.

The 37-year-old then sealed a sensational return to Manchester United last summer, leaving fans delighted. He picked up right where he left off as he scored 24 goals and provided three assists from 38 matches in all competitions last term.

However, Manchester United failed to secure UEFA Champions League qualification, finishing sixth in the Premier League table. This has led to speculation over Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford this summer.

It emerged on Saturday that the Portugal international has asked the Red Devils to let him leave if they receive a satisfactory offer this summer. The news has not gone down well among a section of the club's supporters.

Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration with the forward, while a few have gone on to admit that Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi is better than him. Here are some of the best Tweets on the same:

Recent claims have put Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford up in the air. Napoli are reportedly interested in signing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, while Chelsea and Bayern Munich are aware of his situation.

However, Manchester United are determined to retain the forward's services beyond this summer. Erik ten Hag's side maintain that the player is not for sale during the ongoing transfer window.

Manchester United's Ronaldo and PSG's Messi continue to dominate GOAT debates

The two forwards have been at the top of their games for almost two decades now. While they are both heading towards the end of their careers, they continue to dominate the Greatest of All Time debates in football.

It is worth noting that the two have won 12 Ballon d'Or awards between them so far. Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is the only player to win the accolade apart from them since 2008.

About the author

Dakir is a European and Indian football journalist at Sportskeeda with an overall experience of 10 years. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, and currently pursuing Master’s in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University, he is a seasoned football journalist who has interviewed the likes of former Liverpool star John Arne Riise, covered the entire 2022-23 Indian Super League season of the Kerala Blasters, and has delivered a seminar at an international conference held by St. Albert's College, Ernakulam.

Thanks to his extensive academic background in journalism, Dakir understands the importance of accuracy and spends a significant amount of time researching the subject. In today’s data-driven world of football, where players are perceived as machines, he prides himself amplify the voices of the people that make football the beautiful game that it is.

He started following football in 2013, and more specifically, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, and admires Jurgen Klopp for his untouched charisma and unmatched legacy. A perpetual underdog supporter, he is a fan of under-fire Reds forward Darwin Nunez and can’t wait for him to show the world what he truly is. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s iconic “corner taken quickly” corner assist for Divock Origi in Liverpool’s 4-0 UCL semifinal win over Barcelona left a lasting impact on him.

When not writing, Dakir enjoys indulging in his guilty pleasure - watching mass commercial movies.

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