Roy Keane and Paul Scholes agree over Cristiano Ronaldo issue at Manchester United

Manchester United greats Roy Keane and Paul Scholes agree over the latest Cristiano Ronaldo dilemma.

Ronaldo, 37, returned to the club last summer and was a stand-out performer with 24 goals last season. However, since Erik ten Hag was appointed, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has had to settle for a back-up role, and he was completely ignored for the Manchester derby last Sunday afternoon.

Ten Hag explained his decision to leave Ronaldo on the bench as United were swept aside by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium was out of respect for his glittering career. However, while that stance split opinion, there was no separating Keane and Scholes on this one as they sided with their former teammate.

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Keane suggested Ronaldo ought to have been allowed to leave this summer, while Scholes questioned his spot in the Europa League starting XI against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday night. Indeed, the ex-England playmaker argued that move from Ten Hag was, perhaps, more disrespectful than the initial flashpoint.

Speaking while on Sky Sports duty, Keane said: "I think it's ridiculous for a player of his stature and for Manchester United to just keep him [on the bench]. Could he have brought him on?

"He could've brought him on. So what if you're 4-0 down?

"If you look at his goalscoring record... he has as good a chance as anyone of putting the ball in the back of the net. People are obsessed with the pressing side of the game. If you put the ball in the right areas, he'll score goals.

"United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo. He should've been let go before the window [closed]."

Scholes was also pressed on the Ronaldo debate when lining-up on the BT Sport panel on Thursday night. He said: