Jose Mourinho says Manchester United would never turn down the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
But the former Madrid manager doubts a transfer would ever happen as it is nearly ‘prohibited’ for Madrid to sell the Portugal international.
Ronaldo was sold to Real nine years ago, but he had won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson at United.
Ronaldo’s reputation continued to increase after joining Real – he now has four Champions League medals and has also won five Ballon d’Or awards.
The 33-year-old encountered his first problems in Santiago Bernabeu last transfer summer and was linked with a return to Manchester United.
But Mourinho believes Real Madrid ‘cannot sell’ the forward, despite conceding he is a player who would always be welcome back at Old Trafford.
‘I believe that Real Madrid cannot sell him, it is prohibited,’ Mourinho told Portuguese newspaper Record.
‘He has to stay until the moment they authorise him to go and play one year in America or anywhere else that he wants to enjoy. It is a closed door.’
Asked about United’s interest in the forward, Mourinho said: ‘I don’t think so.
‘But all the people know his history in Manchester, the passion they have for him and that there are players in the world who, if the clubs have the possibility of signing, will not say no.’
Mourinho has also opened the door to manage Portugual’s national team after his reign at Manchester United ends.
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‘I almost went once, but [Real president] Florentino Perez didn’t let me, because he thought that the position of Real coach was not compatible with the national team,’ he said.
‘[I’ll consider it] only when I’m tired of the day-to-day, the three matches a week, the seven training sessions per week, and the one month pre-season, things that don’t tire me now.’
