GARY NEVILLE has been left with egg on his face after his comments urging Manchester United not to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo re-emerged.
United have agreed a deal to sign the five-time Ballon dOr winner from Italian champions Juventus, who were stunned earlier this week after the Portuguese told them he wants to leave.
The Red Devils’ pursuit of Ronaldo – who looked on course to join Manchester City – comes a matter of months after they were linked with a shock swoop for the 36-year-old.
Neville urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against re-signing his old team-mate, saying during a Twitter Q&A: “Love him but think it’s better to leave the memories where they are.”
United made the shock decision to move for Ronaldo after neighbours City pulled out of the race for the Juve ace’s signature.
The Red Devils tabled a £21million offer for the former Real Madrid, who has been handed a two-year contract at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer confirmed his interest in re-signing his old team-mate on Friday afternoon, saying: “I didn’t think Cristiano was gonna turn out leaving Juventus.
“And it’s been speculation this morning and the last few days.
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“We’ve always had good communication. I know Bruno [Fernandes]’s been talking to him as well and he knows what we feel about him.
“And if he was ever gonna move away from Juventus he knows we’re here.
“We focus on the ones we have there, I don’t want to speculate too much on Cristiano, what’s happening there with the press.
“I’ve said many times with speculation, when you’re Man United, when you’re Ronaldo, when you’re Messi, when you’re Pogba, when you’re Bruno, you have to read a lot about yourselves.
Love him but think it’s better to leave the memories where they are.
Gary Neville’s stance on Manchester United re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year
“So let’s see what happens with Cristiano, he’s such a legend of this club.
“Cristiano has been a legend of this club, he is a legend of this club, he’s the greatest player of all time, if you ask me.
“I was fortunate enough to play with him, I coached him (in 2008) when I got my job.
“He almost retired me in that Wolverhampton game (in 2003) when I got injured because he kept switching sides!
“Such a tremendous human being, as well. Let’s see what happens with Cristiano. Everyone who’s played with him has a soft spot for him.”
United will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, travelling to Molineux to take on Wolves.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
