Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly missed out on a sensational return to Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
The Real Madrid superstar made it clear to his club that he wanted to return to England after a tax case was opened against him in the Spanish capital.
But according to The Times , his dream was scuppered when Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe baulked at the idea of replacing him at the Bernabeu.
Mbappe, who has since joined Paris Saint-Germain, did not want to deal with pressure of being Ronaldo's heir apparent.
Real Madrid were then prepared to sell Gareth Bale to United in order to fund a £165million move for Mbappe, but the player rejected the move.
Bale struggled with injury last season and was unable to hold down a regular place in Zinedine Zidane' side.