Cristiano Ronaldo Attempts to Dampen Manchester United Speculation

Cristiano Ronaldo has dampened speculation linking him with an emotional return to Manchester United, insisting his future remains at Real Madrid.

Suggestions that the 29-year-old has grown disenchanted with life at the Bernabeu following the sales of Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria have helped intensify talk of a sensational return to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo himself recently named United as one of three clubs he could see himself retiring at, along with Real and Sporting Lisbon, while manager Louis van Gaal also suggested he would be open to re-signing the player, if a deal could be done.

But despite previously admitting he would like to return to the club one day, Ronaldo has moved to end the gossip surrounding his immediate future, telling reporters: "It is all speculation, speaking about my future... My future is Madrid. I am happy.

"The season is going well and I am not talking about my future, it does not make sense."

After leaving the club for £80m in 2009, Ronaldo has been persistently linked with a return to Manchester.

The player himself has often publicly pondered a possible return and was heavily linked with a move back to Old Trafford last summer, before he signed a deal the following September keeping him at the Bernabeu until 2018.

But while United boss van Gaal doubts whether Real Madrid would be interested in doing business, the Dutchman has stopped short of ruling out a deal somewhere down the line.

He told a press conference last Friday: "It is possible [that United will buy Ronaldo], what I said with [Radamel] Falcao, players like Ronaldo give a lot extra to our selection or to a team, but I don't think Real Madrid shall sell him."

Three days after scoring a hat-trick during the 8-2 thrashing of Deportivo, Ronaldo continued his incomparable goal-scoring form with another four for Carlo Ancelotti's side as Real secured a 5-1 victory over Elche on Tuesday night, taking his tally to nine in just five league games.