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Manchester United have been told that it will be ‘impossible’ to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

Louis van Gaal opened up about his interest in bringing the Real Madrid forward back to Old Trafford over the weekend.

But the Dutchman’s hopes of an audacious deal appear to have been ended by Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes.

Speaking to Canal+ Mendes addressed the issue of his client’s future, saying: “It is impossible. He will end his career at Real Madrid.”

Ronaldo has consistently been linked with a move back to United after leaving the club for Real in 2009.

Van Gaal has made no secret of his admiration for the 30-year-old.

Last week he confirmed: “We are looking at all players, not just Ronaldo. But these players are mostly ungettable.

“With Ronaldo, let’s wait and hope.”

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Amid the latest speculation Real president Florentino Perez moved to dismiss suggestions the Portuguese international would be allowed to leave the Bernabeu.

“Those who say I want to sell Cristiano do so in an attempt to destabilise,” he said.