Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened the door for Cristiano Ronaldo to make a dramatic return to Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is in talks with neighbours Manchester City after the Portugal star decided to leave Juventus.
The Italian club want a £25million transfer fee but City are pushing for a free transfer and for Ronaldo to take a pay cut on his £500,000-a-week wages.
But United sensationally signalled their interest in the Old Trafford legend on Friday when Solskjaer made it clear that he would welcome the 36-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to the club.
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‘Ronaldo is a legend of the club, and the greatest player of all time, if you ask me,’ said the United boss. ‘I didn’t think he’d leave Juventus. We’ve always had a good communication and I know Bruno (Fernandes) has been talking to him.
‘He knows what we feel about him. If he was ever going to move away from Juventus, he knows we’re here.
‘When you are Messi, Ronaldo, Pogba or Bruno, you have to read a lot about yourself. Let’s see what happens with Cristiano, because he is a legend of this club.
‘I don’t want to speculate too much on Cristiano. We focus on the ones we have here.
‘I’ve said many times, when you’re Man United or (Lionel) Messi, Ronaldo you read a lot about yourself.
‘Cristiano is a legend of this club. I was fortunate to play with him and coach him. Let’s see what happens with Cristiano. Everyone who has played with him as a soft spot for him.’
Asked if he wanted another new player after signing Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane this summer, Solskjaer added: ‘Any manager is always looking for a little bit more.
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‘I have to say the transfer business we’ve done this summer, I’m happy with the numbers, quality and personalities we’ve brought in. They fit each other really well. You’re never comfortable as a manager, but the chemistry is there and I’m very happy with what we’ve done.’
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed earlier on Friday that Ronaldo has played his last game for the Italian giants and at that point, it seemed that the Portugal star was destined to sign for Pep Guardiola’s City side.
Allegri said: ‘Yesterday, Ronaldo told me that he no longer has any intention to play for Juventus.
‘He is not available for tomorrow’s match against Empoli. He’s going to look for a new club after three years here.’
Solskjaer, who played alongside Ronaldo at United, has made a dramatic intervention amid outcry from United’s fanbase at one of their finest every players joining their fierce rivals.
Derby manager Wayne Rooney, another of Ronaldo’s United team-mates, dismissed the prospect of Ronaldo turning out for the blue half of Manchester.