Scot also says Red Devils must be on their guard against the Portuguese on Tuesday night.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played down suggestions that former Old Trafford hero Cristiano Ronaldo could be making a dramatic return to the club at the end of the season, reports the Metro.
The Scot was speaking ahead of the second leg of United’s Champions League last-16 home clash with Liga leaders Real Madrid on Tuesday night which will see the Portugal international make his first-ever return to the club that he graced with such distinction until his departure for the Spanish capital in 2009 for a world-record fee of £80 million.
“I don’t think there’s anything, as far as I’m aware, that would encourage me to think he would come back here. I don’t think there’s anything in that at all,” Ferguson said in his press conference ahead of the tie.
“He has got two years left on his contract. It could be to do with the fact that negotiations are going on for a new contract. I think maybe his agent is playing the game, though I’m not prepared to comment on that.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson has also emphasised the importance of stopping Ronaldo from playing his natural game: “Real have a lot of good players, but it’s quite right to think Ronaldo is their best. He’s much better now than when he left United. He’s mature now. He’s 28 and at the peak of his career. From 28 to 32 or 33, with the fitness he has, you expect him to play at his peak.”
COMMENTS