Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has played down the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo returning to the club.
Ronaldo left Old Trafford in 2009 after six years at the club, joining Real Madrid in a deal worth £80m, although the 27-year-old is rumoured to be unhappy at the Bernabeu, resulting in reports linking him with a return to United.
However, Ferguson believes that, even if Ronaldo were keen on a return, any deal would be too expensive for his side.
"I don't see it. I would love to think it. Maybe when he is about 39 and you are coming past my grave, but it is fanciful thinking really," said Ferguson.
"First of all how much would it take to get him from Real Madrid? Secondly I don't think there is any chance they would want to sell him anyway.
"You never know. I don't know when his contract finishes and he may want to go to another club at some point in his career. Of course I would hope he'd want to come here. But that is a long way off."
Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances for United during his time at the club.
Barney Corkhill
