Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola reportedly couldn’t guarantee Cristiano Ronaldo anything at the Etihad Stadium, as Manchester United swooped for the Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo left Juventus yesterday after bidding farewell to his former teammates and then rushed to Lisbon in a private plane.
On Thursday night Ronaldo seemed set for a move to Manchester City but 24 hours later it was officially announced the 36-year-old has returned to Old Trafford.
Ferdinand, Fernandes and Guardiola: How Ronaldo went from Man City to Utd
Ronaldo had reportedly offered himself to Manchester United already in June, but the Red Devils didn’t act until he seemed set for a move to the local rivals.
Ronaldo was given the go ahead by Juventus, who will receive €25m for the striker, but La Repubblica reports Guardiola’s cold words were part of the reason why Ronaldo eventually ended up with a romantic return to United.
In public, the Spanish coach said: “In my personal view there are few players, Ronaldo and Messi included, who decide where they are going to play.
“They are the absolutely leading role in the negotiations and the desire of where they want to play. In that position, right now I’m more than delighted with the squad we have and we’ll stay the same.”
Ronaldo was given a clear signal by Massimiliano Allegri when he was benched against Udinese, but Guardiola reportedly didn’t offer the former Real Madrid striker any guarantees at City either.
La Repubblica reports Guardiola told Ronaldo over the phone that ‘if you can come, we will try to live together. But I can’t guarantee you anything’.
Meanwhile, Manchester United prepared to meet the demands of Juventus and a two-year deal for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo, quella gelida telefonata di Guardiola che ha spinto Cr7 verso lo United https://t.co/wDFvfUw0IL
— Repubblica (@repubblica) August 28, 2021
Rubbish!
i was on this page saying. why would Ronaldo want to go play for guadiola. he hated playing sarriball. funny seeing guadiola comments to Ronaldo because this is who he is. the guy bench Ibra. he would do the same to Ronaldo if he doesnt do what is required in the tika taka system. so i was like. Ronaldo really leaving Juve to go play under that guy and tarnish his legacy. in the end man utd came in but they will soon realise that this is a great of football on his last legs.
That’s why Guardiola is a great coach and has won loads
He always plays on form players please come to Italy and coach AC,