Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts to Madrid Exit Talk

Cristiano Ronaldo has played down rumours linking him with a return to Manchester United, saying "it's all speculation."

The Real Madrid star remains focused on his future at the Bernabeu and has quickly dismissed reports he could be set to grace Old Trafford once more. His comments were reported by Alex Harris of the Daily Star:

"

It’s nothing important, what’s important is Madrid. On a personal level, things are going well and I want to help this shirt. I don’t see a need to talk about things outside the club.

It’s all speculation, speaking about my future… My future is Madrid. I’m happy. The season is going well and I’m not talking about my future, it doesn’t make sense.

"

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague, whose inside knowledge in the Spanish football realm often gains exclusive information, recently suggested Ronaldo "dreams" of playing in the red shirt once more. He also confirmed United have "everything in place" to facilitate such a move when speaking to Sky Sports' Revista de La Liga show.

Ronaldo's quotes certainly leave room for interpretation. Saying his future "is Madrid" may indicate he is planning to see out the rest of his contract or remain in the Spanish capital until he retires. He could also be suggesting his immediate future remains with the club with the technicality that, if he's there tomorrow, he was telling the truth.

He is a player who has chosen to put footballing matters before transfer speculation in the past. Prior to Ronaldo's switch from United to Madrid, he emphatically said he wouldn't discuss his future until Portugal's run at Euro 2008 was complete.

This allowed Ronaldo the space to continue performing at a high level without the constant questioning over a matter which can only be resolved during the year's two transfer windows. A similar tactic could be employed here; even if Ronaldo has his heart set on leaving, there's no way he would confirm it just after the summer market closed.

United fans will certainly look on in envy at the player who helped deliver the club's last Champions League trophy in 2008. Ronaldo has scored an incredible nine goals in four La Liga matches this season, including consecutive hat-tricks against Deportivo La Coruna and Elche, per WhoScored.com.

He also netted during Los Blancos' opening European tie with Basel, fresh on the back of scoring a record-breaking 17 goals along the way to last season's La Decima triumph.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Carlo Ancelotti believes his player's niggling injury problems have subsided, saying he "doesn't need a rest," per Nicholas Rigg of The Independent. Such news will galvanise Real's hopes of silverware now they have won three in a row after suffering defeats against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo chose to leave United after winning everything with the club. He has now achieved the same at the Bernabeu, but he continues to inch ever closer to setting new individual records. He has netted 25 hat-tricks at Real and is closing in on Alfredo Di Stefano's club record of 28, as reported by Ben Hayward of Goal.com. 

The former United man is also just three goals short of becoming the Champions League's highest-ever scorer, as noted by Hayward. He can easily topple Raul's total of 68 before heading back to United, who aren't looking likely to regain Champions League football any time soon.

Becoming Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer looks to be more difficult and could take Ronaldo another couple of years to achieve, as noted by the numbers below:

Name	Goals
Raul	323
Alfredo Di Stefano	308
Santillana	290
Cristiano Ronaldo	260

Once Ronaldo achieves these milestones, it's likely he will feel his time at Madrid is complete. This could then pave the way for his long-awaited Premier League return to a United side who are currently struggling through a transitional period. His arrival would undoubtedly spark the side into life, although Louis van Gaal has plenty of defensive issues to sort out before such an idea can be entertained.

For now, it's business as usual for Ronaldo. He has scored eight goals in the past week and doesn't look like letting up soon. Madrid's squad is crammed with talent, meaning the likelihood of Ronaldo finding both team and personal success this season is likely. United fans will hope he continues to blitz through defences, especially if it speeds up his potential return.