Mourinho Rules Out Ronaldo’s Return To Man United
Jose Mourinho has ruled out any chance of bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United, dismissing the idea as ‘mission impossible’.
Ronaldo’s future at Real Madrid has been thrown into doubt over allegations that he evaded paying £12.9million in tax.
The Portugal star is due to appear in court at the end of the month and has been described as ‘angry and hurt’ by Madrid president Florentino Perez.
According to Sports Mail, Ronaldo held secret talks with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi before Madrid retained the Champions League by beating Juventus last month, and that has re-ignited speculation over the possibility of a return to United.
The 32-year-old left Old Trafford for Madrid in 2009 after six seasons in English football.
Mourinho coached Ronaldo at the Bernabeu for three years and the two men share the same agent, Jorge Mendes. But he believes that prising the current World Player of the Year away from Madrid is beyond United’s capabilities.
‘I’m not going to waste my time thinking about players who are mission impossible,’ said Mourinho.
We have never thought about it because he is such an important player for his club, of great economic power. We have not been able to find for whatever reason that could have made us think Ronaldo could leave.’
Mourinho also confirmed that United are unlikely to sign Alvaro Morata from Madrid. The two clubs held lengthy talks over the player before United switched their attention to Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
‘It is a question for Florentino,’ added Mourinho. ‘He belongs to Madrid. Madrid has decided and we have not come to an agreement. It is simple. It is a shame.
‘It is a player who made it to the first team with me. We have a special liking for, he is someone special. I enjoyed watching his evolution in Juventus and Madrid. But I don’t think he can end with us.’