Why Ronaldo will not join Manchester United, not in the next season at least

One clear reason: to compete neck-to-neck with Messi in the Champions League

If there is one occasion which appeals the most to the Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, it is the Champions League.

The Juventus forward has already lifted five European trophies — one with Manchester United and four with Real Madrid — and he doesn't plan to stop soon.

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Rumours regarding the star striker's move back to Old Trafford were ripe towards the end of the Serie A and the English Premier League seasons, but if there can be only one reason he will not go to the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer-managed club it will be because they are not playing where all the best teams in Europe play — the Champions League.

Ronaldo's opponent for the tag of the world's best footballer, Lionel Messi, will be playing the Champions League with Barcelona, and the Juventus star's move to Old Trafford would rid him of the chance to compete with the Argentinian toe-to-toe.

Manchester United finished outside the Premier League's top-four which has put them into contention for Europa League and a move to the Red Devils will see Ronaldo not playing in his beloved competition.

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The five-time Ballon d'Or winner duo is vying to add one more to their tally to somehow end the debate on who is better, but if Ronaldo moves back to Old Trafford, it will show weakness from the side of the Portuguese.

However, staying at Juventus will give him another chance come the next Champions League to compete for the title of Europe's best, and also keep his game up to prove a point hat he is better than Messi.

Ronaldo is currently the all-time top-scorer in Champions League with 126 goals from 162 appearances, while Messi lurks at the number two spot with 112 goals from 134 matches.