Cristiano Ronaldo joins Man Utd WhatsApp group and takes part in banter with young stars in bid to unify dressing room

CRISTIANO RONALDO has joined a Manchester United WhatsApp group in a bid to unify the dressing room at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo had criticized the attitude of his underperforming United team-mates and accused young players of not listening to advice.

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But in an effort to ban all dressing room cliques, the 36-year-old Portuguese superstar is now a member of at least one WhatsApp group used by the club’s young players.

Ronaldo now joins in the text banter with Marcus Rashford, 24, new starlet Anthony Elanga, 19, James Garner, 20, – currently on loan at Nottingham Forest – and eldest Jesse Lingard, 29.

United boss Ralf Rangnick has endorsed Ronaldo’s explosive TV rant against young players, insisting he was right to call them out.

But Rangnick then gave Ronaldo a band aid after his incredible strop after being substituted in United’s 3-1 win over Brentford.

United’s England defender Luke Shaw had also questioned the unity within the team.

But a club insider revealed: “Some of the young players like to communicate via WhatsApp.

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“They never leave their phones and regularly chat, send funny jokes and clips and chat about things like computer games, fashion trends and music.

“Ronaldo is almost twice the age of some band members and has four children and a pregnant fiancée.

“His life is very different from that of the younger people who are just starting out in the game.

“Some are a little impressed with him but are really happy that he joined the group and are delighted that he is sending a message to everyone and joining.

“It makes him much more accessible, especially at a time when some of the younger members of the squad are struggling with form.”

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