Marcus Rashford says it was an "unbelievable experience" to play with Cristiano Ronaldo and has wished his former teammate "all the best" following his departure from Manchester United.

United announced earlier this week that Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo had left Old Trafford with immediate effect.

The decision comes after Ronaldo gave an extraordinary interview in which he slammed Manchester United’s owners and said he had "no respect" for manager Erik ten Hag.

Despite the sour nature of Ronaldo’s exit, Rashford will look back fondly on the Portuguese’s second spell at United and has thanked him for his help on and off the pitch.

"It has been an unbelievable experience to play with him," Rashford said from England’s World Cup camp in Qatar. "He is one of my idols and someone I have always looked up to."

"It’s something I can keep with me forever." I wish him all the best and we want to thank him for the things he’s done for Manchester United.’

Ronaldo enjoyed a superb first spell at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009, when he lifted three Premier League titles and the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus forward returned to United in the summer of 2021 and largely impressed in his first season at the club, scoring 24 goals in 38 appearances.

But the 37-year-old enjoyed less success under new manager Ten Hag and started just four of Manchester United’s 14 Premier League games before he decided to give a controversial interview to TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo will now hope to use the World Cup to find himself a new club, with Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr reportedly willing to pay him more than £1m a week if he signs a three-year deal.

Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in their opening match in Qatar, with Ronaldo’s opener seeing him become the first male player to score in five World Cups.

Fernando Santos’ side now faces Uruguay and South Korea as they look to advance from Group H and lift the World Cup for the first time.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, will turn his attention to England’s final Group B clash against Wales on Tuesday night.

The Three Lions thrashed Iran 6-2 in their tournament opener – with Rashford getting on the scoresheet – but labored to a goalless draw with the USA last time out.