Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential return to Manchester United has been firmly ruled out by Rene Meulensteen, a former coach at the club, despite ongoing speculation linking the two. The rumors gained momentum due to Ronaldo’s strong relationship with Ruben Amorim, the new Manchester United manager and a former teammate of Ronaldo on the Portuguese national team. However, Meulensteen has expressed his doubts, declaring that “the ship has sailed” regarding Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.
Meulensteen went on to highlight that while Ronaldo still has the ability to extend his playing career in Europe for another two years, he is likely focused on finding a team with a real chance at competing for Champions League glory.
Given Manchester United’s current state, Meulensteen believes that this ambition no longer aligns with the club’s trajectory, particularly with the ongoing struggles to return to the upper echelons of European football.
At present, Ronaldo continues to shine at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he remains a key figure in the team’s domestic and international campaigns. Despite criticisms of the league’s competitiveness, Ronaldo has remained a dominant force, steadily working toward an incredible milestone of 1,000 career goals.
His form and contributions have kept him at the forefront of Al-Nassr’s plans, reinforcing the notion that his immediate future lies in Saudi Arabia.
The idea of Ronaldo making a return to Europe, especially to Manchester United, seems increasingly unlikely as his focus appears to be on achieving personal and team goals in the Saudi Pro League.
Although rumors about a potential reunion with United continue to circulate, Ronaldo’s continued success in Saudi Arabia and his age mean that a return to European football, and specifically to Manchester United, now seems improbable. This makes it clear that any hopes of Ronaldo rejoining his former club are fading, as his career appears firmly rooted in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.
While Meulensteen’s comments may close the door on a Manchester United comeback, Ronaldo’s current focus remains on his legacy and continuing to dominate in Saudi Arabia. For now, a European return remains a distant prospect, and his current career at Al-Nassr seems to offer the ideal environment for him to chase further success.
