What is it with footballers and stating the obvious? Chelsea full back Ashley Cole has said that Man United isn’t the same without Cristiano Ronaldo. If any football team in the world lost their best player (who also just happens to be the best player in the world) then of course you wouldn’t be the same. It doesn’t take brain surgery to realise that, which is probably why it came out of Cole’s mouth.

Like Wayne Rooney yesterday, Cole also would have preferred to see Ronaldo stay in the Premier League and play with Man United this season. He has also told us exactly what he was saying to Ronaldo when the winger was running at him.

"I miss playing against Cristiano Ronaldo, I really do," Cole told the News of the World.

"Manchester United don't seem the same without him - he's the best player in the world.

"I used to love our battles. If I'm concentrating, on my day I can do well against anyone, but he was something else.

"I love his skills, but I nearly ripped my groin when I was first playing against him because he did a trick and I did the splits.

"My mates were killing me after and I thought 'Right, he's never embarrassing me again'.

"A couple of years later at Chelsea I showed him the imaginary pocket in my shorts and their fans were lapping up the banter.

"They were battering me at Old Trafford as usual when I did it and I thought it was funny but they were calling me a w***** - as usual!"

"I am an emotional guy, but I try to keep my feelings to myself - but on the pitch it's different," he continued.

"On the pitch I'd kick Jermaine Pennant and he's one of my best mates.

"Don't talk to me on the pitch. With Ronaldo I'd try to wind him up by saying 'Get up, you're always diving' and he'd give it the 'Who me? No, no, no'. If he tried to run at me, I'd be saying 'You're not quick enough'.

"Sometimes I don't like how competitive I can be on the pitch, but I can't help it because I want to win the game so much.

"Every season I start by saying I am going to change on the pitch and I can't."