Jose plays down Ronaldo link

Old Trafford return for club legend unlikely, claims Mourinho

Jose Mourinho claims his former club Real Madrid are “on fire” but does not think their recent struggles will ensure he can bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United.

In the week United completed a swap deal with Arsenal to make Alexis Sanchez their new number seven, Ronaldo, a previous owner of that shirt, was again linked with an Old Trafford return amid rumours Real are preparing to try to sign Paris St-germain’s Neymar.

Real went out of the Copa del Rey to Leganes on Wednesday and Zinedine Zidane’s men trail Laliga leaders Barcelona by 19 points.

Their current rut has not escaped Mourinho, who spent three years in charge of the team, but he feels that bringing Real’s all-time leading scorer Ronaldo back to Manchester following his departure in 2009 remains unlikely.

“I think with the moment Real Madrid is having now, I think I should be the last one to add some fuel to the fire,” said Mourinho,who yesterday signed a new contract at the club that runs until 2020, with the option for a further year.

“Madrid is on fire, the results are not good and it’s a club where I worked (for) three years, I care about the club.

“I am the last one to add fire so to put some water on the fire, I would say Cristiano is the kind of player that every manager, club wants but only one manager, club can have – Zidane and Real Madrid, that’s my feeling.”

Mourinho’s wish for more attacking options had been granted this week when United sealed a switch for Sanchez that saw £35 million-rated midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan head in the opposite direction.

Sanchez, 29, could now make his debut in Somerset tonight in the fourth round of the FA Cup against League Two Yeovil.

Mourinho, meanwhile, has signed a new contract at the club that runs until 2020, with the option for a further year.

The 54-year-old replaced Louis van Gaal as United’s boss in 2016 and last season he won the EFL Cup and Europa League as well as the Community Shield.

“We have set very high standards – winning three trophies in one season – but those are the standards I expect my teams to aim for,” Mourinho said. “We are creating the conditions for a brilliant and successful future for Manchester United.”

Should he remain at United for the duration of his new contract, Mourinho’s stay would be the longest of his managerial career.

“I am really honoured and proud to be Manchester United manager,” he added.

PA. Picture: Alexis Sanchez is set to make his Manchester United debut tonight as Jose Mourinho’s side head to Yeovil in the FA Cup fourth round.