Dimitar Berbatov says Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire should deal with any problems face-to-face

Dimitar Berbatov has claimed that if there is any truth to the rumours of a feud between Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire then Manchester United must act quickly to ‘f**king sort it out’.

The Mirror reported that Ronaldo and Maguire are involved in a power struggle over who should captain the side. The report claimed that Maguire, the current captain, feels undermined by Ronaldo’s presence in the dressing room.

It was also suggested that Ronaldo is seen as setting an example for United’s younger players to follow. 

Dimitar Berbatov says Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Harry Maguire (R) should address any problems face-to-face

Berbatov was commenting after claims that Ronaldo and Maguire are involved in a power struggle over the United captaincy

Both Maguire and United interim boss Ralf Rangnick have denied the rumours, but Berbatov has stressed that if there are any issues then Maguire and Ronaldo should deal with them face-to-face.

United have lacked consistency this campaign and can ill afford many more slip-ups if they are to secure a top four finish.

Berbatov, who played for United between 2008 and 2012, says that it is important that the club do not have any more distractions.

Berbatov told Betfair: ‘There is always rumour and gossip going around at any club and who knows if there is anything in the story of a clash between Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo over the captaincy. Harry says that’s not the case. I hope he’s right.

‘But if there is something to it then I hope they can speak face-to-face and sort it out.

‘What is for sure is that this is not the sort of thing United need right now. United are fighting for a top four spot which they need to achieve.

‘Nobody needs to be talking about this stuff right in the middle of the season.’

Berbatov previously played with Ronaldo and described the Portuguese as ‘an icon in football’.

United interim boss Ralf Rangnick can ill afford for his team to have any distractions

However, Berbatov believes that, given that he is captain, Maguire should still be respected despite concerns over his form.  

Berbatov continued: ‘Obviously Ronaldo is an icon in football, he’s done it all and when you have a player like this in the side you need to use him, ask for advice and listen to what he says. He leads by example during training and the way he plays.

‘There is a point for Ronaldo being captain because he has experienced everything in the game. On the other hand Maguire is captain and, ok he may have had the odd bad game, but I don’t think he would like to run from that responsibility.

‘If there is anything in it, they have to come together, sit down, speak to each other and the manager and just f**king sort it out!’.

Berbatov says that it is important there isn’t any tension in the dressing room at United

Given Ronaldo’s status in world football, keeping the 37-year-old happy will certainly be a key priority for Rangnick.

However, Rangnick will have to ensure that there is harmony in the United dressing room. 

United need to be fully focused on the task ahead as they look to ensure that they finish in the top four, while they also have a Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid to come.

After drawing their previous two games, United returned to winning ways as they beat Brighton 2-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes getting on the scoresheet.

Next up for Rangnick’s team is an away game against Leeds on Saturday.