Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted as a 'disgraceful influence' on Manchester United's young players as he reportedly looks to seal a transfer away from Old Trafford.
The Portuguese superstar's Old Trafford future still hangs in the balance with just a week to go until the new season, and talkSPORT pundit Trevor Sinclair has accused him of 'spitting out his dummy' to get a move.
Just a year after his return to Manchester United, Ronaldo wants to move on
And hasn't been playing for United in pre-season due to family issues
Whilst talks continue behind the scenes, Ronaldo's reported desire to leave the club is already likely to be having a negative effect on Man United, according to former England international Sinclair.
It's understood CR7 has asked his club to name a price for him so he can trigger a move that is reportedly already on the table.
The Portuguese star's agent, Jorge Mendes, is said to have had talks with the Red Devils' hierarchy this week, but United stated their star man was not for sale.
It's fair to say Ronaldo was a real silver lining in an other wise below par season for the Manchester outfit last season, scoring 24 goals on his return to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo has also often been praised for being a role model for the youngsters in the Red Devils' dressing room, taking the likes of Anthony Elanga under his wing.
But Sinclair believes, contrary to last season, the star's behaviour this summer will be setting a damaging example in the dressing room.
Ronaldo has said the press have been lying about his situation
"For me, he's not earned the right to be in the Champions League this year because his team's not been good enough," Sinclair explained on Friday's talkSPORT Breakfast.
"You know, you talk about good influences on young players, he has been spoke about in that way. Well, this is a disgraceful way to influence young players.
"Spitting your dummy out, saying 'I want this, I want that, the club doesn't matter, it's all about my records'..."
Ronaldo isn't the first footballer to request a transfer away from a club that holds him in such high esteem.
Harry Kane's attempt to leave Tottenham for Man City last summer ultimately came to nothing, but Dimitri Payet went from a West Ham hero to an all-time villain after his bitter exit back to Marseille.
Payet was shunned out of east London when he requested to leave
Kane is Mr Tottenham, but earned the scorn of supporters by trying to leave for Man City last summer
Both these players, plus plenty more, were hammered by supporters for their apparent betrayals, although Kane's relationship with Spurs has since healed.
However, Sinclair believes CR7 is getting unique treatment from the media and fans.
He continued: "I remember when Dimitri Payet went on the same thing, it was in the papers that he'd gone on strike. They [the media] absolutely destroyed him.
Ronaldo risks damaging his legendary status at Manchester United
"Where's the equality when you talk about players and situations and demanding things?
"There were almost effigies being burned of Payet, and you look at Ronaldo and he's getting away with murder!"
Whilst the Ronaldo saga ticks on, Manchester United are set to play two more pre-season friendlies before the start of the campaign - one of them ironically against one of Ronaldo's former transfer links, Atletico Madrid, on Saturday.
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