Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Cristiano Ronaldo Chase Is Fruitless Effort

Links between Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo are commonplace. While a reunion with the Real Madrid forward would provide a major boost to the Red Devils, any attempt to land him this summer is very likely to result in disappointment.

The latest report connecting Ronaldo to an Old Trafford return comes from Peter Spencer of the Manchester Evening News. He states the club is once again pursuing the superstar after struggling to land other top targets.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has today re-emerged as United's top target—and the champions will not baulk at Real Madrid's £80m asking price.

The Reds, aware of a fans' backlash especially if they lose Wayne Rooney and don't land Cesc Fabregas, have one of the club's favourite sons firmly back on the radar.

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On the surface, the idea makes sense. United are still searching for a high-profile signing to highlight new manager David Moyes' first offseason with the club. Fabregas is an ideal target, but signing him away from Barcelona has become a serious uphill battle.

Assuming progress remains seemingly nonexistent on that front, United would be wise to start exploring other marquee options to bolster the squad. Ronaldo obviously fits in that category as one of the top players in the world.

Yet, the Red Devils have to remain realistic. The goal should be identifying attainable targets, which Ronaldo certainly doesn't appear to be at this point in time.

The reported interest from United comes just a couple of days after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told French outlet L'Equipe no offers have arrived for the club's main asset and he expects Ronaldo to retire with the La Liga side (via Press Association/The Guardian).

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Cristiano Ronaldo is the cornerstone of our project. He's the world's greatest player and I can now say that he will end his career at Real Madrid. We haven't received any offer for Cristiano Ronaldo.

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There are very few certainties when it comes to the transfer market. But going from expecting a player to retire with the club to selling him within the span of a couple of weeks, which is all that's left before the new campaign, would be a shocker.

That's why it doesn't make much sense for United to waste valuable transfer time on Ronaldo. Not because he wouldn't be a good fit or he isn't worth the massive asking price, but simply due to the fact Real Madrid clearly see the star's long-term future at the Bernabeu.

With Manchester City, Chelsea and even Arsenal all getting ready to challenge United for the Premier League title, the Red Devils must find a way to bolster the squad. Otherwise, the road to repeating as champions would become even tougher to navigate.

The lack of time remaining before the season starts combined with Real's desire to get Ronaldo with the club makes any potential deal highly unlikely, if not impossible. And United can't afford to completely miss out this late in the offseason.

Perhaps one day Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford for a storybook ending. Right now, however, the Red Devils have to remain focused on the immediate future, which consists of finding players to help defend their title and make a deep Champions League run.

Any time spent chasing Ronaldo is better used pursuing more realistic targets.