Portugal midfielder Joao Mario has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes' awkward handshake in the dressing room was just “a joke.

The two Manchester United stars had a cold exchange as they linked up with the national team a day after Ronaldo’s bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo slammed United and former manager Ralf Rangnick and said he cannot respect current manager Erik ten Hag.

But Mario claims there is no rift between the two players.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, he said: “I was in the locker room at that moment; I saw pictures."

“It was a joke between them because Bruno was one of the last to arrive and Cristiano asked if he had come by boat. "It was a joke between them; they play together.”