Paul Pogba joined Manchester United last summer from Juventus for £89million - a club and world record at the time.

Real Madrid were also linked with a move for the France international that year but a deal failed to materialise.

And Spanish outlet Don Balon claim the transfer never happened for one reason - Cristiano Ronaldo.

The report says the Portuguese was not prepared to share the limelight with Pogba and so he opted for a return to Old Trafford instead.

Fellow France international Raphael Varane is said to have leaked the information and it is reportedly not the first transfer Ronaldo has scuppered.

Don Balon claim the 32-year-old is hellbent on overturning Lionel Messi’s records and to do so he wants to be the No 1 at the Bernabeu.

He equalled the Argentina international’s fifth Don Balon award this year and is hoping to surpass him with a stellar solo campaign this term.

Speaking last summer about Pogba’s future, Varane admitted the pair had been in close contact and he hinted he would have liked to have seen him at Real.

“Pogba is my friend and I talked to him about this issue long ago but I don’t know what you think or he thinks,” the defender said.

“He’s a very good player but I don’t know what he wants or what he’ll do.

“We have a great team [Real Madrid] and the best players.

“I must not say anything about a potential transfer for Pogba, it’s his decision.”