Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has refused to rule out a Manchester United move for Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward requested to leave Juventus.
Ronaldo has been left out of the Juventus squad to play Empoli tomorrow after informing the club of his desire to leave, with manager Max Allegri revealing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has told the Italians he “no longer has any intention” to play for the club.
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The news of a potential exit has led to speculation over a potential return to the Premier League, with reports having strongly linked Ronaldo with a shock switch to Manchester City.
Ronaldo previously spent six years as a Manchester United player, winning three league titles, the Champions League and the first of his Ballon d’Or’s during his time at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer has spoken on the prospect of a potential return to the club for the former fans’ favourite, admitting everyone who played alongside the forward ‘has a soft spot for him’.
“Don’t want to speculate too much – he is a legend of this club, the greatest player of all time if you ask me,” Solskjaer told a pre-match press conference ahead of United’s trip to Wolves.
“I was fortunate enough to play with him, to coach him… such a tremendous human being as well.
“Let’s see, everyone who has played with him has a soft spot for him.”
The Norwegian admitted his focus remains on his current side, but believes clubs and players of Manchester United and Ronaldo’s stature will always attract speculation.
“We focus on the ones we have there, I don’t want to speculate too much on Cristiano, what’s happening there with the press,” he said.
“I’ve said many times with speculation, when you’re Man United, when you’re Ronaldo, when you’re Messi, when you’re Pogba, when you’re Bruno, you have to read a lot about yourselves. So let’s see what happens with Cristiano, he’s such a legend of this club.
Solskjaer added that he has been left surprised by the news that Ronaldo wants to leave Juventus, before refusing to rule out a potential deal and says the 36-year-old knows the Red Devils are ‘here’.
“I didn’t think Cristiano was gonna turn out leaving Juventus,” Solskjaer said. “And it’s been speculation this morning and the last few days.
“We’ve always had good communication. I know Bruno’s been talking to him as well and he knows what we feel about him.
“And if he was ever gonna move away from Juventus he knows we’re here.”
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