sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

The Real Reason Why Manchester United Will NOT Hijack Manchester City's Transfer For Cristiano Ronaldo

The Real Reason Why Manchester United Will NOT Hijack Manchester City's Transfer For Cristiano Ronaldo

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and John Murtough don't want to 'compromise' Man United's position to land Erling Haaland by signing Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United are reportedly not prepared to challenge Manchester City in the race to re-sign club legend Cristiano Ronaldo due to their desire to land Erling Haaland.

Ronaldo has been linked with a sensational exit from Juventus this summer ahead of his contract expiring in 2022.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, reportedly asked to start on the bench for Juventus’ 2-2 draw with Udinese last Sunday.

Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, was in Turin on Wednesday to discuss the 36-year-old Portuguese superstar’s future amid intense transfer speculation.

Juventus are prepared to allow Ronaldo to leave the club for a fee believed to be between €25m and €30m.

Defending Premier League champions City are now the clear favourites to land Ronaldo, but the club have not made a formal offer to Juventus.

Read More:

PA

United are not willing to hijack City’s move for Ronaldo due to Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and John Murtough’s position.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Murtough, who was appointed the club's first-ever football director, is in ‘mutual agreement’ with Solskjaer over Haaland as a ‘preferred long-term number nine target.’

The newspaper added a potential transfer for Ronaldo would ‘compromise’ United’s ability to sign Haaland next summer.

Haaland is expected to remain at Borussia Dortmund for the current season, but the Norwegian striker has attracted interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

The 21-year-old Dortmund star, who has been linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, could leave the German club after his £68m release clause becomes active.

PA

Wayne Rooney admitted that he “can’t see” Ronaldo playing for City, but he refused to rule out the possibility of his former United teammate signing for the current Premier League champions.

“I think Cristiano has got a very good legacy at Manchester United and I know how proud he is as a player and a person. I can’t see it, but it’s football, so you never know,” he told talkSPORT.

“I think you need to do what’s right for you as a person, for your family. Everyone knows I could never play for Liverpool or Manchester City. That’s obvious but everyone’s different.

“I think people move to clubs where they don’t really want to, but from a financial point of view that might be the only option they have, so I might get it from some people’s point of view.

“But in terms of myself, that just wouldn’t be an option.”

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Premier League, England, Juventus, Serie A, Italy, Football