Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville launched into a war of words on Twitter on Saturday evening amid the news that Cristiano Ronaldo had lodged a transfer request to Manchester United.

The Portuguese forward expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford following a hugely underwhelming season for the Red Devils - a campaign that saw them fail to qualify for the Champions League. He has requested that he be allowed to bid farewell to the club should a suitable offer be lodged for his services.

The news is a bitter way for Ronaldo's first season back at the club to end, with the Portuguese having only returned to Old Trafford from Juventus less than a year ago.

Following the shock development, Man United icon Neville engaged in an argument with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher - the former poking fun at the fact that Ronaldo was linked with a move to Manchester City before electing to return to Old Trafford last summer.

Taking to Twitter, the ex-Red wrote: "Ronaldo did exactly what I thought he would do, score goals but make the team worse. The transfer request also kills the idea he turned down Man City because of his love for Man United."

Neville took exception to Carragher's claims by stating that Ronaldo's desire to leave was not linked to his previous associations with fierce rivals City, whilst also firing a cheap shot at Carragher's Liverpool in the process.

He replied: "I get it, you're full of yourselves but he can turn down City for United because he likes them more and still want to leave this summer. He left before but still loved the club. Enjoy Saturday night and your short period of success."

Carragher was not quite finished there though. He further claimed that it was instead the Sky Blues that turned down the 37-year-old instead of the other way around, whilst poking fun at Neville’s previous excitement at the prospect of the Portuguese icon returning to Old Trafford.

"City didn't want him you [clown] and you're the same fella who kept saying it was like Elvis had arrived in Manchester," he continued. "Elvis has left the building."

Neville then could not resist ending the spat with a little tribute to the King of Rock and Roll with a short but sweet: "Little less conversation."

It of course remains to be seen quite where Ronaldo will be playing his football next term after lodging his transfer request. Premier League rivals Chelsea have been linked with Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes having held a meeting with new Blues owner Todd Boehly.

Serie A clubs AS Roma and Juventus have also been rumoured to be considering a move. Man United have already adopted a stern stance over his future having been left furious with the talk over a switch to Chelsea, whilst the Red Devils have also refused to comment over the latest reports over his future.