Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted interest in signing Cristiano Ronaldo though he doesn’t believe Real Madrid will sell their star player.
The Dutchman hinted that he was interested in the played but dismissed the idea of his return as media gossip ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Leicester City.
“It’s always a discussion in the papers but I don’t think the media will buy Ronaldo,” said van Gaal.
“I have always said with players like Falcao and Ronaldo, they give a lot extra to a selection or a team but I don’t think Real Madrid shall sell.”
Manchester United have won their last nine Premier League fixtures against Leicester City but the sides haven’t met since 2004 when a Gary Neville goal gave United a 1-0 victory.
Van Gaal is now looking to build on the 4-0 demolition of QPR and has promised to continue to put out attacking sides.
“The result was very good. I think 4-0 is a big result, but also the way we have played I think the fans enjoyed themselves,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
“I started with another system but now we have brought players in. You have to adapt to the qualities of the players you have.”
Following the arrival of big names Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria much has been made of United’s selection dilemmas in attack but van Gaal has said no places are guaranteed.
The United boss said: “Falcao is a very good striker and I like van Persie. Then we have Rooney, Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson. We have five players for two positions.
“However I don’t think any player is guaranteed a place in the starting eleven; only the captain has any privileges at all.”
There has been speculation this week that youngster Januzaj may be sent out on loan in order to gain first team opportunities but the 63-year-old went some way to quelling such suggestions.
“Januzaj has to compete with very good players. You cannot put 15 players in the team, only 11, and with this system, 4-4-2 diamond, he has to compete with a lot of very strong strikers,” van Gaal said.
“However when we play 4-3-3 for example, then Januzaj should have more chances – it depends on the system we use.”
Record signing Angel di Maria was man of the match last time out and he has continued to impress United teammate Rafael in training this week.
“Angel was the best player in training today. We were playing 10 against eight- he was excellent and scored a great goal,” he said.
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