Cristiano Ronaldo has played down claims that Manchester United's Wayne Rooney will join him at Real Madrid next season.
Madrid ace rejects Rooney reunion claims
Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has played down claims that Wayne Rooney will join him at Real Madrid next season.
Reports have circulated in recent weeks that the Spanish giants are lining up a double swoop for the England striker and his national team boss Fabio Capello.
However, Ronaldo, who moved to the Bernabeu last summer, revealed he is still in regular contact with Rooney and insists his former Red Devils team-mate is "very happy" at Old Trafford.
He told the
News of the World: "I am still friends with Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United.
Fantastic
"I think Rooney is very happy in Manchester and even if Real Madrid tried to sign him, I don't think he would want to join me here."
However, the Portuguese attacker admits he would like to play under two-time Real manager Capello, with current boss Manuel Pellegrini appearing to be living on borrowed time.
"Definitely," he added. "He is a very important coach, one of the best in the world, he has done a fantastic job in England and has won many titles in Italy so why not?
"You never know."
Ronaldo will travel to the World Cup with Portugal this summer and he believes "England are one of the best teams" in the competition.
The 25-year-old was at the centre of controversy the last time the two nations met when he was accused of helping get Rooney sent off in the infamous winking incident.
Rather than regret the incident, Ronaldo said: "I must be honest, if the same thing happened with England and Wayne Rooney that happened in 2006, I would do the same.
Special
"I didn't do anything wrong. I just defended the colours of my country. That is all that I did and I feel fine about what happened."
Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles during his time at Old Trafford, does not believe Manchester United are missing him this season.
United were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich but sit just one point off top spot in the Premier League after Saturday's derby victory over Manchester City.
He told
Sky Sports News: "Without me Manchester United have done very good things.
"They have won the (Carling) Cup, they are in the fight for the league.
"They have been knocked out of the Champions League but in my opinion Manchester deserved to be in the semi-finals but in football things happen. I wish the best for Manchester. It is always special."
