A move back to Old Trafford over the summer looks increasingly unlikely for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Manchester United and Real Madrid officials. Rumors of a summer return to Manchester reemerged after a Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid sent United crashing out of the UEFA Champions League last week. Even sportswear giant Nike, which sponsors both Ronaldo and United, was rumored to be working on a plan to engineer the transfer.

However, United board member Bobby Charlton on Monday said that a Ronaldo return has never been spoken about. "Signing Ronaldo has never even been mentioned in any of our board meetings," the former United legend said. "But he did go beyond being just a great player for us. … Cristiano is a great player, who scores phenomenal goals and he loves the club - but he is not our player."

Speaking at an event in Manchester earlier in the week, Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno hinted that Los Blancos had no desire to sell its star player. “Cristiano is under contract and we are very happy with him,” Butragueno said. 'We are delighted he is at Madrid because he is a fantastic professional and very ambitious in a positive way.”

Ronaldo has scored 38 goals in all competitions for Real so far this season, including 19 in his last 18 games. “He scores a goal a game on average. This is incredible,” Butragueno added. “I have been watching soccer since I was 3 and never saw anything like that. When Ronaldo is on the field, you know you are going to score. It is an incredible advantage.”