Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer comments on Man Utd return with Man City poised for deal
Ronaldo 'agrees transfer' with Man City ahead of Premier League return
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Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be edging closer to a return to the Premier League. But it won’t be with Manchester United, with Manchester City instead poised to snap him up. The Portugal international has often spoken about returning to Old Trafford yet this move would end any dreams of that happening.
Manchester City have spent the majority of the summer transfer window chasing a deal for Harry Kane.
But with the Tottenham star poised to stay in north London, they’re now focusing their efforts on landing Ronaldo instead.
The Portugal international has already said his goodbyes to Juventus team-mates ahead of a possible move to the Etihad.
And, for Manchester United, that’s a blow.
Express Sport will now take a look at what the 36-year-old has previously said about returning to the Red Devils, where he previously spent six successful years.
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In 2014
Ronaldo was heavily linked with a move away from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2014.
He’d fired the club to Champions League glory that summer and he admitted that he loved Manchester, saying: “Some players I am still in contact with because when I was there I created a good relationship with everybody, not just the players, all the staff around.
“And it was like my second family there too, so I’ll not forget that the people treat me well. I’ll not forget.
“I love Manchester, to be back, I never know, you never know.
“Of course I’m happy at Real Madrid, it’s my home, it’s my club but Manchester treat me unbelievable so we never know.”
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Also in 2014
That same year, Ronaldo admitted that he wished to return to United in the future.
“I love Manchester,” he said.
“Everyone knows that. Manchester is in my heart.
“The supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day.”
Louis van Gaal was at the helm at the time of those comments but the Dutchman didn’t want Ronaldo back.
Instead, he focused on landing the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels – only to miss out on all three.
In 2017
When Ronaldo was asked about returning to United in the summer transfer window of 2017, he insisted nothing was impossible.
“Nothing is impossible,” he said.
In another interview, published around the same time, Ronaldo also praised United fans for not booing him – unlike Real Madrid’s supporters.
“I don’t like it and it’s not normal that they whistle you in your own stadium. I just don’t like it,” he said.
“It’s not correct. And when you are on a difficult run that is when you need extra support from outside not less. Sometimes we don’t have it.
“I spent a lot of years at Manchester United and it never happened to me. Not even once. Maybe England is a case apart – the mentality is different.”
And what about playing for City?
In 2015, Ronaldo seemed to rule out a move to City by saying it would be ‘very difficult’.
“To play for City not United? I’m not going to do that,” he said.
“Why? Because my heart’s in Manchester United, that’s why.
“I can say it would be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very difficult to play at Manchester City.
“Very difficult because of Manchester United.”
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