Football transfer news

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United later in his career.

The Portugal captain left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in a £80 million deal in 2009, but has been linked with a move away from the Liga champions recently, with Paris Saint-Germain touted as a possible destination.

However, the 70-year-old admits he is not seriously considering a move for the attacker at the moment, and joked he may only be able to make an offer when his contract at the Bernabeu expires.

Sir Alex told reporters: “I’d love to see that, but it’s fanciful thinking really.

“First of all, how much it would take to get him from Real Madrid, and secondly, I don’t think there’s any chance they would want to sell him anyway. But you never know. I don’t know when his contract finishes.

“He may want to go to another club at some point in his career and I’d hope he would want to come here. But that’s a long way off.

“I’ve been very fortunate in having [Paul] Scholes and [Ryan] Giggs. I’ve had fantastic players – [Eric] Cantona. He’s certainly in that bracket as one of the best I have managed, there’s no question about that.”

Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford in the New Year as Madrid and United square off in the last 16 of the Champions League and Sir Alex is expecting a warm welcome back for the Portuguese.

He added: “One thing is for sure, he’ll get a great reception when he comes to Old Trafford and when he comes on the pitch. After that, they can boo all they like!

“United fans have always been that way with players who performed for us. Players who are part of the history of the success of the club are recognised when they come back.

“We’re proud of the part we played in his career. To get six years out of a boy when he comes at 17 and played for us for six years, we’ve done well.

“He always had a hankering to go to Madrid in his career and we helped him on that way.

“It wasn’t disloyalty because I got another year out of him when he wanted to go the previous year. He honoured that and was fantastic for us. He went with our blessing.

“My way of looking at it is that we were lucky to have him for six years and the United fans would share that.”

Beppe Marotta has dismissed suggestions that Juventus are ready to sign Didier Drogba once the transfer window reopens in January.

The Cote d’Ivoire international only joined Shanghai Shenhua in the summer after he opted to call time on his eight-year spell at Chelsea, but he has been linked with a move to Turin following the Italian champions’ struggles to find a consistent goalscorer.

However, speaking prior to Juventus’ Serie A clash with Cagliari on Friday, the general manager explained that Drogba’s imminent participation in the African Cup of Nations and Giorgio Chiellini’s injury have forced the Bianconeri to change their plans in the market.

“Drogba? I don’t know who has come up with this idea, but we have not had any contact, partly because he will play at the Africa Cup of Nations and be unavailable for an extended period,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“Due to the sale of Lucio and Chiellini’s injury, we are looking for a defensive player. Regarding the attack, we are vigilant because there is also the Champions League.

“But you must have respect for this group [of players]. We are the team that have scored the highest number of goals in the box.”

Marotta also reflected on the Lega Calcio’s decision to move the match against the Sardinians to the Tardini in Emilia-Romagna and insisted that his side had no choice but to follow the governing body’s orders.

“We had to adjust ourselves to the Lega Calcio’s decision [to move the venue],” he added. “It is an inconvenience for us and our fans who have had to pay for tickets, but they will be refunded.

“It’s no good to see a game like this with only 3,000 spectators.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has comprehensively dismissed claims that Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will retire at the end of the season.

Reports had previously suggested that the 38-year-old, who has scored one goal in seven appearances this campaign, had told friends he will call an end to his career for the second time next summer.

But Sir Alex believes the former England international has no such plans and that he would be the first person Scholes would consult if he did.

“I would be surprised if Paul had spoken to someone without speaking to me – and he hasn’t – so we can dismiss that,” he told reporters.

And the United boss was also keen to quash similar speculation about Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, stating that any rumours stem simply from the club’s contract policy.

“Ryan could play for another year or two. Rio has been terrific,” he added. “The speculation comes from our policy of only giving older players one-year contracts.”

Meanwhile, Sir Alex was in jovial mood when discussing Cristiano Ronaldo’s first return to Old Trafford since leaving United in 2009.

Ronaldo will return to his former club when Real Madrid face the Red Devils in the last 16 of the Champions League and the United manager was in good spirits ahead of the encounter.

“It is in his contract he can’t play against us,” he joked. “It would be a disgrace if he played.

“It will be fantastic to have him back.”

Wesley Sneijder is prepraring to leave Inter in the early part of January, according to his wife Yolanthe.

The Netherlands star has been frozen out of the Nerazzurri first team after reportedly failing to agree terms on a new contract that would see him take a pay-cut.

He was sent on early holiday leave for Christmas by the club, and is set to depart San Siro for pastures new in the coming weeks.

“We are about to leave Milan,” she told RTL Boulevard.

“Everything could be sorted out in the first few days of January. Our destination? We’re looking for an ideal place for our family. For the moment, I’m not thinking of my career.”

Inter are currently in second in Serie A, seven points behind leaders Juventus. They host 19th-place Genoa at San Siro on Saturday.