For the last few weeks, momentum has built for a potential return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United. First the player expressed a desire to return. Then it was rumored that Real Madrid was intent on selling the player in the summer and that Manchester had put together deal for his services. Finally, more rumors circulated that Nike, the official sponsor of Manchester United and Ronaldo had met with the club to push the deal forward. However, all of this momentum was halted on Sunday when the Manchester board announced that it had not even mentioned the possibility of bringing back the superstar.
"It's never even been mentioned in any of our board meetings, Cristiano Ronaldo," said club director and former Manchester star Sir Bobby Charlton. "He's a great player, he scores phenomenal goals, he loves the club, but he's not our player."
Furthermore, Emilio Butragueño, a senior executive at the club, also issued a similar statement. "Ronaldo is 28. He is under contract [until 2015] and we are very happy with him. We are delighted he is at Madrid. He is a fantastic professional and very ambitious in a positive way," said Butragueño. "His contribution to the team and the club has been amazing since he arrived. We are very grateful he came to us. We are very lucky that he plays for Real Madrid."
Butragueño's statements echo those of Ronaldo two months ago when the player asserted that he would remain with the club. "I want to see out my contract at Real Madrid: I'm very clear about that. After that, well, I don't know what'll happen in the future," Ronaldo said.
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