Jamie Carragher makes Man United dressing room claim about 'bizarre' Cristiano Ronaldo issue

Jamie Carragher reckons Manchester United players want Cristiano Ronaldo gone amid continued question marks over his Old Trafford future.

Ronaldo, 37, remains at United and has returned for pre-season after expressing a desire to leave. He re-signed last summer in a sensational return move and scored 24 goals in all competitions last season.

However, due to a salary slash and United missing out on Champions League qualification, the five time Ballon d'Or winner has been keen to explore his options. But several elite clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, have distanced themselves from a high-profile swoop for him.

READ MORE: Neville gives 'unpalatable' Ronaldo verdict

In the public domain, Erik ten Hag has regularly claimed that he wants to work with Ronaldo this season, but Carragher is not entirely convinced. The former Liverpool star, speaking on the Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet, said: "I thought he [Ronaldo] was a bizarre signing.

"I always felt this situation would come, even if Ronaldo did great for you. He signed a two-year deal plus another year, which I couldn't believe, and he's never going to play second fiddle to anyone.

"But as players at a certain stage in your career we all know that you're not the same player and his career has gone on longer because he's such a great professional. But the fact he's now 37, 38 this season, he's not the same player.

"He's still a great goal-scorer but he's not the same player. No other club in Europe at this moment wants him, but it doesn't look like United can get him out, so at the moment other clubs don't want him, I could be wrong.

"If you asked Ten Hag, I don't think he wants him. I'm not quite sure the dressing room at Manchester United