Anthony Elanga reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism of Man Utd youngsters

Anthony Elanga has admitted he understands Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism of the young players at Manchester United.

Ronaldo hit out at a number of things in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, including the attitude of his younger team-mates at Old Trafford.

"I think they have things more easily, everything's easy, they don't suffer.. and don't care," he said.

"I don't mean only a few in Manchester United, but all the teams, in all leagues in the world, the youngsters are not the same as my generation.

"But we cannot blame them, because it's part of the life and the new generation, the new technologies that distract them. They are not the same...they listen to one thing and in two minutes they have already forgotten and do whatever thing they think it's better.

"They don't care. A few care, but most of them no, and it doesn't surprise me. They are not going to have career longevity, it's impossible.

"In my generation, you see many players that reach 36, 37, 38 at a high level. In this new generation, you will be able to count them with your hands how many will reach that level."

While he says he's fully focused and committed, 20-year-old Elanga understands where his team-mate is coming from.

“Cristiano talks about young players in general. We are a new generation. I am always 100% focused on what I am doing, but I can understand what he is saying," he told Sport Bladet.

“There are a lot of phones and a lot of technology. It’s quite easy for young players to get distracted and lose focus. I always focus 100% on my job and what I do, young players at United are listening, but I can understand what he is saying.”

Ronaldo feels that young players don't look up to their older team-mates and try to emulate them as much as he did, but Elanga says the 37-year-old means a lot to him.

“Very much. He has helped me a lot not only on the pitch but off it as well. He is an inspiration, not only to me but to all the young players at United," the Swede added.

Ronaldo suggested that fellow countryman Diogo Dalot was the exception to his sweeping statements about the game's younger generation.

Harry Symeou hosts Semra Hunter, Andy Headspeath & Toby Cudworth to look back on South Africa '10 as part of the 'Our World Cups' series. We take a trip down memory lane - join us!