Manchester United refuse to confirm or deny that they are interested in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.

CR7 insisted earlier this week that he is likely to see out his contract with Real Madrid, but the rumour mill continues to link him to a dramatic return to United, where he exploded into the stratosphere of world football.

Ronaldo will certainly be back at United when they welcome Real in the next round of the Uefa Champions League in just over one months’ time.

But that is as far as the club’s chief executive, David Gill, is prepared to look into the future.

He sidestepped the speculation that Alex Ferguson is plotting bring Ronaldo back.

"He [Ronaldo] is a brilliant player but he is contracted for the next two-and-a-half years at Madrid,” Gill told Sky Sports News HD.

"We are looking forward to welcoming him back, he will get a great reception at Old Trafford in early March and that is all we have got to say."