Neville plays down United row

Phil Neville feels there is no problem between Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Phil Neville believes the bust-up between Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo has been blown out of proportion.

The Manchester United duo clashed at the World Cup finals when Rooney was sent off during England's quarter final defeat to Portugal.

Rooney was dismissed for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho, but Ronaldo has been vilified for supposedly encouraging the referee to red card his club colleague.

Neville, who played with the pair at Old Trafford, feels the issue has been allowed to spiral out of control by the press.

The Everton utility man believes Rooney deserved to be sent off and does not expect there to be any lingering discontent when the duo resume training with United.

"At the end of the day, I think Wayne did deserve to be sent off," Neville told Sky Sports News.

"It's a World Cup quarter final, high pressure, and these things happen.

"You do what's best for your own country. I don't think there's a problem between Wayne and Cristiano.

"It's just something the press like to build up between them both because of the club they play for.

"The press like to cause problems. If it had been any other player asking the referee to send the player off, I don't think it would have been a problem."

The row between Rooney and Ronaldo has sparked suggestions the Portuguese winger will have to be sold this summer.

But United insist the ex-Sporting Lisbon starlet will not be leaving the club and remain confident the young attackers will line up alongside each other next season.