Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Manchester United demonstrated a lack of respect towards Juventus and could have been handled differently, according to former players Alessio Tacchinardi and Sergio Brio.

The Portugal captain completed a sensational return to Old Trafford at the end of the transfer window.

Having told Massimiliano Allegri he wished to leave Juve, Ronaldo looked as though he would be heading to Manchester City, only for United to swoop in and complete a sensational move last Friday.

Ronaldo, who became the leading international goalscorer of all time on Wednesday, is set to link up with United following his early withdrawal from the Portuguese camp.

The forward scored 101 goals in 134 appearances during his three-year stint with Juventus, where he also won two Serie A titles.

However, the manner of his departure came under scrutiny from the Italian media, who felt his sister Katia Aveiro made a mockery of the Bianconeri after she posted on Instagram: "Welcome back to United, a club worthy of you."

Meanwhile, former Juve midfielder Tacchinardi, who made over 400 appearances during 13 years with the Turin giants, feels Ronaldo should have shown more respect towards the club.

"He should have made a different exit, not leave with his private plane while Allegri spoke on the eve of the match against Empoli," he told Tuttosport.

"I would have expected a press conference to greet the fans. The Juventus people praised him; they deserved a different [goodbye].

"To be told by Cristiano that he would go to a place where he felt like his home was not a beautiful image."

Ex-defender Brio, who played over 300 times for the Bianconeri, concurs: "Juve deserves more respect.

"I did not expect Cristiano to snub the Juventus club in this way; it is not nice on his part. 

"For heaven's sake, Cristiano remains a great player and professional, but the farewell could have taken place in another way and with other words."