United skipper Roy Keane claimed Ronaldinho needed his “head examining” for snubbing United last month to join Barcelona in a £21m (€30m) move from Paris St Germain.

But Ronaldinho told The Sun: “I read what Roy Keane said and I think he has made a big mistake. His comments went too far.

“United are not the only club in the world. There are a lot of others in the same class and in my opinion one of them is Barcelona. That’s why I signed.”

The 23-year-old striker added: “I chose the Barca option and United have to accept that sportingly. I don’t regret it. There will be a lot of samba dancing this season and United will be watching it on TV.

“If Alex Ferguson is angry with me, that’s his problem. He knows these things happen in football.”

United meet Barcelona in Philadelphia for the final match of their US tour in the early hours of Monday morning and Ronaldinho said: “For me, the game is just another pre-season friendly, where results are beside the point.

“I don’t know if I’m going to play, but if I do I’ll do so without thinking anything special. The matter, as far as I’m concerned, is closed, win or lose.”