Wayne Rooney does not believe Cristiano Ronaldo will risk damaging his Manchester United legendary status by joining Manchester City.

Juventus forward Ronaldo is reportedly close to joining Premier League champions City on a two-year deal before the transfer window closes next Tuesday,

The Portugal captain established himself as one of the best players in the world during a six-year spell with United before joining Real Madrid in a deal worth £80million (€94m) in July 2009.

Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games under Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with three Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph among the list of honours he claimed.

The 36-year-old's former team-mate Rooney believes a move to Paris Saint-Germain is more likely for Ronaldo, with Madrid said to be close to signing Kylian Mbappe from the Ligue 1 side.

Asked about the prospect of Ronaldo joining Pep Guardiola's City, Derby County boss Rooney said: "It's an interesting one but I can't see it.

"I think Cristiano has got a very good legacy at Manchester United and I know how proud he is as a player and a person. I can’t see it, but it’s football so you never know."

He added: "There have been a few that have done it [joined City after playing for United] but no one at Cristiano's level. Obviously, Peter Schmeichel and Andy Cole, but I just can't see that as an option for him really.

"Financially of course he doesn't need to do it. I think it’s more likely that it’s PSG he goes to."

Cristiano Ronaldo

Rooney was strongly linked with a move to City during his time with the Red Devils before signing a new contract but the former England captain says that could never have happened.

He said: "I think you need to do what's right for you as a person, for your family. Everyone knows I could never play for Liverpool or Manchester City. That's obvious but everyone's different.

"I think people move to clubs where they don't really want to but from a financial point of view that might be the only option they have, so I might get it from some people's point of view. But in terms of myself that just wouldn't be an option."