Jorge Mendes' role in Cristiano Ronaldo's Man City transfer links questioned

Cristiano Ronaldo completed a dream return to Manchester United this summer, but for a brief moment it looked as though he could join rivals Manchester City.

Ronaldo made it clear he would leave Juventus towards the end of the summer transfer window, and that's exactly what he did as he re-signed for United on Deadline Day 12 years after he originally left.

In a whirlwind transfer saga that appeared to come out of nowhere, Ronaldo was reportedly in talks with City, but United stepped in to thwart their rivals and capture the five-time Ballon d'Or winners signature.

However, a former teammate of Ronaldo has questioned the role of the Portuguese star's agent, Jorge Mendes, and "didn't believe at any point that he was going to City".

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has been questioned as to whether he used Manchester City ( Image:

REUTERS)

Fabio da Silva played alongside Ronaldo for one season before the Portuguese star left for Real Madrid in 2009, and the defender has said that he never believed for one minute that the forward would end up at City.

City were in the hunt for a striker and after a deal for Harry Kane looked impossible, an opportunity appeared to present itself for Ronaldo, which would've solved their no.9 issue and get one over their neighbours in the process.

There is a theory that super-agent Mendes essentially used City to get the deal done with United, and Fabio hasn't ruled it out after admitting "'It's not possible" that Ronaldo would ever play for his former Manchester rivals.

Fabio spoke to ESPN in his native Brazil, and said: "Man, I couldn't imagine it. When they told me, I couldn't believe it.

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"It was Pedro, who plays here [FC Nantes] with me, who said: 'Manchester City are almost done with Cristiano'. I said: 'It's not possible'. I didn't believe it at any point.

"I don't know if it was a move made by Jorge Mendes, his manager, to create something because that's what happens nowadays. I'm just saying that because I don't have any idea.

"I didn't believe at any point that he was going to City. From his history at United, from what I know a bit from the two years I played with him.

"It would have been difficult for him to have the courage to play for City because he preserves that history so much. Equally, I'm sure he wouldn't play at Barcelona.

"He greatly values the history he has made wherever he has been. Cristiano Ronaldo played at the clubs he wanted that he had the dream of.

"Manchester, Real Madrid and Juventus. That's why I don't think he would tarnish that history."

Ronaldo has five goals since returning to Old Trafford, and although the deal was meant to be a dream reunion, United are suffering a terrible run of form.