Ronaldo and Rooney clashed at the World Cup

Ronaldo's part in United team-mate Wayne Rooney's red card at the World Cup has seen him demonised in parts of the British media.

"I think he realises he's probably made a mistake, which he'll have to pay for," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"The fans will have a little go at him at the start of the season."

But Charlton backed the Portuguese winger to come through the experience stronger.

"He's our player and he will come back," added Charlton.

"Ronaldo is a great player, a marvellous young player. He's already spoken to Wayne Rooney and the other players.

"I don't see how he could have solved that problem in any other way than to come back to us.

"If he'd have wanted to go and forced us to send him off to Real Madrid or wherever, he would have had the same problem and it might never have gone away."

Ronaldo returned to training at United on Monday for the first time since his clash with Rooney.

During England's World Cup quarter-final tie with Portugal in Gelsenkirchen Ronaldo appeared to urge referee Horacio Elizondo to take action against Rooney for his challenge on Ricardo Carvalho.

In the aftermath of their confrontation, Ronaldo insisted he would have to leave Manchester United - and was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.