Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo will leave behind a legacy bigger than almost anyone else in football history when he decides to hang up his boots.

But the 37-year-old veteran has left Old Trafford after United decided to cancel his contract following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan where Ronaldo criticised the owners and manager Erik ten Hag.

But what do his Manchester United team-mates think? We’ve compiled everything that the players have said about him in 2022-23 so far.

David de Gea

“He’s never been in this situation before, but the way he trains every day 100 percent, and the way he takes care of his mind and body is unbelievable. It’s something else,” De Gea told BT Sport after Ronaldo scored his 700th club goal against Everton in October.

“This is why he scored the winner today, he does a lot for the team. It’s not an easy time for him, but he showed he’s a great player.”

Diogo Dalot

“We are very happy to have Cristiano, yesterday he scored a goal, this is what he has been doing for 20 years now and every time he is on the pitch and every time he is helping us, we are a better team,” Dalot told Sky Sports after United’s 3-0 win over FC Sheriff in October.

“We are just happy that he is here. Obviously everything that happened is private, we want to keep it inside the locker room. We as a team, this is what should happen.”

Harry Maguire

“Cristiano’s a magnificent player and magnificent character to have around us. I know what it’s like to have a lot of media speculation around myself. But he takes the majority of it. Everything he does is scrutinised to the nth degree,” Maguire told Sky Sports.

“That’s what you get when you play for this club, the size of the club. On the other hand, when things are good, you get a lot of praise, so that’s football, that’s the sport that we play. Obviously, there’s a line that can be crossed and we can do a little bit better in this country to enable that.”

Lisandro Martinez

“I feel privileged, it is an honour to share with them. You learn, you absorb. They have won everything, they want more, an admirable mentality and you give your best in every workout,” Martinez told ESPN Argentina.

“From the first day, Cristiano treated me well. He is very friendly, he has a very nice charisma, bringing smiles, making people laugh.

“He is very professional, he arrives early, he is the last to leave and he takes care of himself at meals. It all highlights why he has had such an impressive career.”

Casemiro

“We are talking about one of the best players of all time,” Casemiro told ESPN Brasil. “He knows that I respect him a lot. I hope he stays with us, because he is a great player.

“He gives you a lot of goals, he is a winner, he is a leader. He is so important for us. We approached each other because of the language, too. Since the first day here, he has helped me with everything. He is helping me a lot. I really hope he stays with us.”

Fred

“After playing with Cristiano I can see closely the amount of work that he puts into every aspect of his football life,” Fred told TNT Sports Brasil.

“On the pitch, he’s always in the right place at the right time. He’s the player with the highest ability to turn a game around I’ve ever seen. I choose him now [over Messi].

“He’s an exceptional guy, on and off the pitch.

“Every day he’s working to get even better and that’s important as an inspiration to all of us, especially the young players. He’s a role model.”

Antony

“Since I arrived, Cristiano Ronaldo has helped me a lot to feel at ease. He talks to me a lot, even on game days. He always tells me to be calm and confident.

“He has achieved a lot in football, and I learn from him every day. I am very grateful to have such an experienced person by my side helping young people every day.

“His mentality is so very strong. It’s very smart. That mentality of his, of always looking to the next day, with everything still to play, is what I’m trying to absorb and keep for the rest of my life.”

WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo hilariously attempts Antony spin in warm-up

Jadon Sancho

“I look at him as a role model and he’s a great player,” Sancho said earlier in the season. “You look at what he’s done in the game and it’s outstanding.

“For a young player looking up to him, it’s a dream come true.”

Anthony Martial

“He’s super humble – and what a hard worker,” Martial told France Football. “We often speak when we are at the gym in the morning before going to training and I would watch what he was doing. That’s only logical, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo!”

READ MORE: Ronaldo next: 8 great players that left Man Utd on a free: Rooney, Vidic

The article Everything Man Utd players said about Cristiano Ronaldo this season appeared first on Planetfootball.com.