Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno has given Manchester United little encouragement in their bid to lure Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
Reports this week claimed United and sportswear giants Nike – who sponsor both the Premier League giants and Ronaldo – were working on a plan aimed at coming up with the huge finance required to complete such an audacious transfer.
Talk of a return to Old Trafford where he spent six years before his world record move to Madrid in 2009 have been rife this season amid claims the Portuguese winger is unsettled in the Spanish capital.
Ronaldo was clearly touched by the affection he received from the Old Trafford faithful last week, which remained even after the winger scored the goal that sent United crashing out of the Champions League.
It merely heightened a feeling that has existed for some time that the 28-year-old might be tempted by a return to his former stomping ground where he won three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in 2008.
United have not entirely distanced themselves from that speculation, even if there seem to be doubts over whether Ronaldo is interested in a move and he might be using his old club as a negotiating tool over an extension to his current deal, which is due to expire in 2015.
Certainly there is no hint from the Madrid end that they are looking to off-load a player who took his goals tally to 26 in La Liga alone on Saturday night when he bagged two more in Real’s latest victory over Celta Vigo.
Speaking at a Manchester United Foundation event to launch a Red Devils’ Legends match against Real Madrid on June 2, Butragueno, now a Real director, offered no obvious reason for optimism about United’s chances of getting the 2008 world player of the year back.
“Cristiano is under contract and we are very happy with him,” he said. “We are delighted he is at Madrid because he is a fantastic professional, and very ambitious in a positive way.
“His contribution to the team and the club has been amazing since he arrived. We are very grateful he came to us and are lucky he plays for Real Madrid.”
Ronaldo has scored 38 goals in all competitions for Real this season. He has found the net in 11 out of their last 18 games, scoring 19 in the process, and for Butragueno, a legendary striker himself, watching Ronaldo perform at the peak of his powers is an eye-opening experience.
“He scores a goal a game on average. This is incredible,” he said. “I have been watching football since I was three and never saw anything like that.
“When Ronaldo is on the pitch, you know you are going to score. It is an incredible advantage.”
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