Erling Haaland snubs Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo when naming world's best players

Cristiano Ronaldo has been snubbed by Manchester United target Erling Haaland when asked to name the best three players on the planet.

Speculation over the Borussia Dortmund goal machine is at fever pitch as clubs across Europe - including United and Manchester City - prepare for an almighty scramble to acquire his services.

The 21-year-old has netted a staggering 80 goals in 79 games during two years in the Bundesliga.

Haaland sat down with Sky Sports for an in-depth interview as he discussed his future and, also, clarified comments he made about current club Dortmund amid suggestions they were putting pressure on him to make a final decision sooner rather than later.

It wasn't the only hot topic that Haaland chatted about during a rare interview.

The Norway sensation was also asked to name the best three players on the planet for 2021, leaving out five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo to name Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo's long-standing contemporary Lionel Messi.

Responding to the question, Haaland said: "That's a good question. I think you have to say Lewandowski is number one. Then for me you have Benzema. He's also been amazing, but Messi is also outstanding. So Benzema and Messi shared second and third place."

Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 23 appearances since re-signing for United during the summer transfer window on the back of 12 years at Real Madrid and Juventus. Messi claimed a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or in 2021 and Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski was, meanwhile, handed The Best FIFA award.