Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United unlikely according to Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe Cristiano Ronaldo will ever make a return to Old Trafford.

Nearly four years after leaving for Real Madrid in a world record £80million deal, Ronaldo will be back at United on March 5th to try and help his current team knock his old one out of the UEFA Champions League.

It is bound to rekindle memories of the brilliance Ronaldo brought to the Premier League in his six-year stint with the Red Devils, as well as trigger thoughts about whether it ever could be revived.

Ferguson has spoken optimistically about the prospect in the past - and he still won't rule it out completely.

"I don't see it. I would love to think it. Maybe when he is about 39 and you are coming past my grave, but it is fanciful thinking really."

However, in sober analysis, the Scot is not convinced it will ever happen.

"I don't see it," said Ferguson. "I would love to think it. Maybe when he is about 39 and you are coming past my grave, but it is fanciful thinking really.

"First of all how much would it take to get him from Real Madrid?

"Secondly I don't think there is any chance they would want to sell him anyway.

"You never know. I don't know when his contract finishes and he may want to go to another club at some point in his career. Of course I would hope he'd want to come here. But that is a long way off."