Sky Sports reporter Guillem Balague has suggested that Manchester United will pass on the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronald at the end of the current campaign. The Portugal international has been widely tipped to leave Real Madrid next summer after a breakdown in relationship with club president Florentino Perez.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Balague has claimed that United are unlikely to pursue the legendary forward in the summer as he does not match their ambition of having a youthful squad. Ronaldo will turn 33 by February this year, and Balague believes the Portuguese may not justify his hefty wages in the twilight of his playing career.
Despite this, the Euro 2016 winner has been tipped to pursue a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain where he could potentially be involved in an exchange with Neymar, who is alleged to have created tensions within Les Parisiens’ dressing room.
Balague said: “So could he re-join Manchester United. His people have put the word out about a possible return but the reality is that United do not want to get involved. That’s mostly because of Ronaldo’s age. He will turn 33 in February and his best days are clearly behind him, so it is difficult to justify the huge sums that would be involved in the deal.
“Of course, there is a romantic pull to having him back at Old Trafford, but the truth is that he does not fit the profile of a squad with an average age of just 26. Of the other big clubs in Europe, only PSG could afford him with the figures his representatives would demand.”
Ronaldo has dropped his performances levels, especially in the La Liga this term, where he has managed just six goals in 15 matches. The Portuguese’s shot conversion percentage has also dropped from his average of 16 per cent to just under eight, and this makes for poor reading for a player, who has achieved everything at the club level.
Watching Ronaldo don the United shirt again would undoubtedly be a huge emotional affair for both the fans and the player himself, but Jose Mourinho is probably on the look out for younger and experienced recruits, with the recent signing of Alexis Sanchez certain to fill the winger void.
Be the first to comment