Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has hit out fans upset with Cristiano Ronaldo wanting to leave.

Ronaldo has informed Old Trafford chiefs that he wishes to leave this summer amid concerns he will be unable to compete for the biggest trophies at the club.

"Of course he's not happy!" Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube Channel. "You're talking about Cristiano Ronaldo here! I don't understand how it's a big story that Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy with the way things are at Man United. He can't be. I wouldn't be.

"Anyone who wants to win football matches or trophies, anyone who is used to winning and competing every year at the top of the table for the biggest prizes, and then all of a sudden isn't - and doesn't even qualify for the Champions League - you can't sit here and expect them to be happy.

"He's not happy with missing out on the Champions League, he doesn't even know what the Europa League soundtrack sounds like! When that comes on, he's going to be thinking 'what dance am I in here?'"

Some United fans have accused Ronaldo of refusing to train in an attempt to secure a move away, but Ferdinand hit back at these claims.

"I've been seeing people being a touch disrespectful," he said. "The way that people are questioning 'he's not here' and the hysteria surrounding it. A member of his family is not well, so he's not at training.

"This is the most consummate, most professional athlete that we've seen on these shores. The most professional athlete we've seen for over 15 years and people are questioning this guy's professionalism and why he's not at the training ground."