Louis van Gaal has revealed that Manchester United are not targeting Cristiano Ronaldo this summer contrary to rumours, according to reports in the Daily Mail.
With Angel Di Maria nearing the exit door, United are thought to be targeting at least one more attacking acquisition ahead of the new season. They looking to sign a player capable of transforming their attack and Ronaldo certainly fits the bill.
The Real Madrid ace spent six trophy-laden years at Old Trafford, between 2003 and 2009, and his return has been consistently mooted in recent weeks. The 30-year-old is reportedly unsettled under the new management of former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti last month. The United support would love to see Ronaldo return to the club, and bring with him an astonishing goal-record which as seen him score 313 times in just 300 games for Real Madrid.
Louis van Gaal has, however, ruled out a sensational return for the Portugal captain: “That’s not possible because you have the club, Ronaldo, and then you have Manchester United and how much United want to spend”.
The potential arrival of Barcelona forward Pedro is still likely, with a deal understood to be close, but United will still be on the lookout for another attacking superstar. “Barcelona has Messi, Neymar and Suarez. We have to look also for that kind of player,” van Gaal told reporters.
Whilst United continue their search for another ‘Galactico’, one player of such calibre looks set to leave the club. Angel Di Maria looks set to seal a £46.5 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, having failed to join up with United’s pre-season tour of the United States. The Argentine winger only joined the club last summer, in a British transfer record £59.7 million move, scoring 4 goals in 32 matches but is likely to leave with the French champions claiming his transfer is close.
