Pep Guardiola claims Cristiano Ronaldo could play until he turns 75

Pep Guardiola has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing and scoring goals until he turns 75 as the Manchester City boss reflects on the Manchester United star's almost-move to the Etihad earlier this summer.

Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford after spending nearly a decade away, but was rumoured to be close to signing for City before Guardiola's side backed out. The Portuguese is still in top form, even at 36, scoring goals for the Red Devils, and bailing them out of tricky situations.

"He will score goals all his life," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "He will be 75 years old, maybe retired, but he would be at his own barbecue playing a game and he'll score goals.

"These types of guys, like [Lionel] Messi, like him, what they have done in the last decade in world football scoring goals and goals and goals and helping their team win, it speaks for itself.

"It's good for the Premier League that he's back. United belongs to Cristiano and Cristiano belongs to United. It's a good fit. It was in the past. Maybe it will be in the present and the future. We'll see."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had claimed that he could never imagine Ronaldo playing for City, to which Guardiola replied: "Ole said that he could not imagine him to be here. You have to ask them. Do you think both are happy to have each other there? That's what's most important."

Ronaldo has scored nine goals in 11 games since returning to Manchester, and contributed with five goals in four Champions League games until date.