Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened the door for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Manchester United with a public transfer plea.
Ronaldo, 36, has submitted a transfer request at Juventus and was spotted boarding a private jet after swerving training on Friday.
Manchester City are leading the race to sign the Portugal icon and the two parties have reportedly agreed personal terms.
But Ronaldo previously promised he would never join City, having spent six seasons with local rivals United.
Solskjaer spent four years playing alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford and declared the Red Devils would welcome him back with open arms during a press conference on Friday.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is probably the greatest player of all time with (Lionel) Messi," said Solskjaer.
"I didn’t think Ronaldo would leave Juventus. There has been speculation. We have always had a good communication, Bruno (Fernandes) has been talking to him. He knows what we feel about him. If he is going to move he knows we are here."
Quizzed about Ronaldo going back on his word by moving to City, Solskjaer responded: "We focus on the ones we have here. Don't want to speculate too much on him.
"When you are at United you have to read a lot about yourself. Let's see."
Solskjaer was reluctant to respond to further questions about the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, but they kept on arriving.
The Norwegian responded: "(I) Don't want to speculate too much - he (Ronaldo) is a legend of this club, the greatest player of all time if you as me.
"I was fortunate enough to play with him, to coach him... such a tremendous human being as well. Let's see, everyone who has played with him has a soft spot for him."
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Solskjaer helped Ronaldo's development while working as a forwards coach at United during the 2007/08 season, after he retired from playing.
It would come as a major blow for Solskjaer if his friend and former teammate joined the Red Devils' cross-town rivals.
Ronaldo promised he would never do such a thing when he was linked with City back in 2013, four years into his glittering Real Madrid career.
"To play for City not United? I’m not going to do that," said Ronaldo. "Why? Because my heart’s in Manchester United, that’s why.
"I can say it would be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very difficult to play at Manchester City. Very difficult because of Manchester United."
Although City are in pole position to sign Ronaldo, they must agree to pay Juventus' asking price of £24million.
The Sky Blues are reluctant to stump up any kind of fee for Ronaldo, which could boost the Red Devils in their pursuit.
