Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo wanted captain Harry Maguire axed last season, it has been reported.

The Athletic reports Ronaldo was part of a group of players who approached former caretaker manager Ralf Rangnick at Carrington in February this year.

Among them were Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba but Ronaldo's message came through clearly when he said: "Maguire is part of the problem".

A few players from the group subsequently apologised to the interim boss, who departed the club in the summer.

Rangnick is said to have told the players including Ronaldo that it was "inappropriate" to speak about Maguire when the player himself was not present.

Ronaldo also had a view on the team's formation and during the impromptu meeting told the manager in no uncertain terms how he wanted them to set up.

The 37-year-old wanted to play alongside Edinson Cavani up front but his pleas fell on deaf ears.