Roma director of sport Tiago Pinto shot down reports Cristiano Ronaldo could reunite with Jose Mourinho when quitting Manchester United. ‘It was never a possibility.’
The rumours were already swirling around in the media over the summer, but the situation has since deteriorated even further.
Following an interview with Piers Morgan where he criticised everyone from the owners to current and previous coaches, Manchester United are taking legal action against Cristiano Ronaldo and could even terminate his contract.
That would make him a free agent and therefore easier for a side like Roma to afford.
“One of the things that irritates me about Italy is that they are constantly talking about the transfer market,” Tiago Pinto told reporters at the Thinking Football Summit in Portugal.
“The truth is that Cristiano Ronaldo was never a possibility. These rumours had no foundation, but in Italy they talk every day about three different players linked with your club.
“I understand it was natural to link us because Mourinho and I are both Portuguese, and so is Cristiano, but as I said, there was never any substance in it.”
Nonetheless, the stories continue to do the rounds in the Italian media, while Napoli are another club linked with a possible January swoop for Ronaldo, if he does become a free agent.
A return to Juventus is not even considered by either party, as he did not leave the Bianconeri on good terms and was never aligned with Max Allegri’s ideas.