While Manchester United does everything possible to keep Cristiano Ronaldo, long-time rival Lionel Messi has been advised that if he became available this summer, none of the top six Premier League clubs would want to sign him.
Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford a year after re-signing for United in a spectacular move, but the club has reiterated that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is not for sale.
This comes as Chelsea and other possible bidders remain connected with a move.
Ronaldo, 37, scored 24 goals in all competitions for United last season, but he has yet to return to pre-season training.
The club’s summer tour of Thailand, Australia, and Norway begins on Friday morning, and they may do it without their talisman.
Would Erik ten Hag contemplate replacing one superstar for another by signing Messi to Old Trafford if United parted ways with last season’s top scorer? According to one pundit, neither United nor the other so-called Premier League top six clubs would contemplate a move.
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Manchester City defender turned pundit Danny Mills said: “Would you take Lionel Messi? He’s the greatest footballer I’ve ever seen, I didn’t see [Johan] Cruyff live or [Diego] Maradona.”
“Messi is the best footballer that I’ve ever seen. I know Ronaldo’s numbers are a little better and he’s more of a big-game player.
“In terms of being a footballer, Messi is the greatest, but would you take Messi in your team now? Probably not.
“I don’t think they [the Premier League’s top six] would take him. Liverpool? No. Man City? No. Tottenham? No. I don’t think they would.”
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