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Jose Mourinho 'told Manchester United not to sign Cristiano Ronaldo'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 01 September 2018

Mourinho 'told United not to sign Ronaldo'

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho told the club's board not to move for Cristiano Ronaldo during the summer, according to a report.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho reportedly told the club's board not to move for Cristiano Ronaldo during the summer transfer window when it became clear that the attacker would be leaving Real Madrid.

Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Madrid before leaving for Juventus in a £90m deal last month.

The Portugal international was continually linked with a return to United during his time at the Bernabeu, having made his name at Old Trafford following a move from Sporting Lisbon.

Indeed, Ronaldo netted 118 times for the Red Devils during his six seasons with the club, and is still fondly remembered by the supporters.

However, according to The Mirror, Mourinho told the United board not to move for Ronaldo this summer, with the Red Devils boss instead wanting to splash the cash on a new centre-back.

Mourinho was ultimately frustrated in his pursuit of a number of defenders, however, and a disappointing start to the 2018-19 campaign has seen United lose two of their three Premier League fixtures.

Ronaldo, who played under Mourinho at the Bernabeu, will return to Old Trafford next month when his Juventus side make the trip to Manchester in the group stages of the Champions League.