Patrice Evra renews Cristiano Ronaldo defence and says Paul Pogba has proved him right

Patrice Evra has dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo's critics as "jealous" in a fresh defence of the Manchester United superstar - and claimed that he saw Paul Pogba's sorry situation coming.

The ex-Red Devils left-back has once again laid bare his feelings amid United's perilous predicament, as new manager Erik ten Hag sets out on his long-awaited revolution. Old teammate Ronaldo received plenty of criticism throughout a miserable season for the Red Devils, despite scoring 24 Premier League and Champions League goals.

Evra, however, believes that his ex-United pal would be welcome at any top club, while their best players wouldn't fare as well thanks to the current state of affairs at Old Trafford. "Cristiano - it's not a question," the Frenchman told Mirror Football after featuring in a legends charity match against eternal enemies Liverpool on Saturday, which raised £1.3million.

"Can we leave this guy alone? He's got 18 [league] goals. Where would we be if Cristiano wasn't in this squad? That's why when people talk about him, I'm like, 'those people are not in peace with themselves or they are jealous'. It's so crazy, I don't even want to answer that question anymore because I've answered so many times.

"I will give you one thing: put Cristiano Ronaldo in the Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea team [and he will do well]. But put one of their best players - put Mo Salah in United - [he will struggle] like every player. And they say it's because he's my friend or whatever. No. I'm in love with his work ethic, with his professionalism. He's 37. This guy, even at 40, will still score goals. And he's here for that, that's what people want from him.

"So, that's why when people ask me about Cristiano, sometimes I just don't