Bruno Fernandes didn't seem pleased to meet Manchester United and Portugal teammate
Cristiano Ronaldo following his comments in an interview. (0:16)
Manchester City have
denied Cristiano Ronaldo's account of his proposed move to the Etihad Stadium with
sources telling ESPN that the striker's claim that the move was "close" is
false.
Ronaldo joined Manchester United for a second spell after leaving Juventus in
2024 but not before speculation linking the Portugal international with a move to
City.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
He claimed in an interview
that the transfer was "close" but City sources have insisted his comments are "not
reflective" of their interest at the time, which has been described as "mild."
Ronaldo,
37, claims only Sir Alex Ferguson's intervention stopped him from joining City, despite
his highly successful first spell at rivals United between 2003 and 2009.
Cristiano
Ronaldo's future at Manchester United is uncertain he criticised the club in a recent
interview. Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
"I think it was the key, it was the
difference in that moment, but I cannot be loyal if I will, I wouldn't say that
Manchester City wasn't close," Ronaldo said.
"I spoke with [Ferguson]. He said to me
that, 'It's impossible for you to come to Manchester City,' and I say, 'OK,
boss.'
"Well, honestly, it [joining City] was close... It's something they spoke
[about] a lot and [City manager Pep] Guardiola said two weeks ago, I guess, that they
tried hard to have me."
The second part of Ronaldo's interview is set to air Thursday
with sources telling ESPN that United will wait to discover the full extent of his
comments before making a decision on his future.
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United, according to
sources, are already furious about parts of the interview, particularly Ronaldo's claim
that there has been "zero progress" at the club since Ferguson retired in 2013 and his
revelation that he "doesn't respect" manager Erik ten Hag.
United have rejected
Ronaldo's claim that their Carrington training ground has not been updated since he
left for Real Madrid in 2009 and insist money has been invested to renovate the
restaurant, swimming pool and gym in the past 12 months.
Sources have told ESPN that
Ten Hag does not believe he can work with Ronaldo again while the majority of players
do not think there is a way back for the forward at Old Trafford after the World
Cup.
United, according to sources, are taking legal advice about how best to deal with
the situation.
