Could Cristiano Ronaldo stand in for Erling Haaland at the Club World Cup? CR7's ex-Man Utd team-mate gives honest take on 'painful' proposed transfer to arch-rivals Man City

The prospect of the Portugal icon joining Pep Guardiola's side emerged after Erling Haaland suffered an injury that put his hopes of playing at the Club World Cup this summer in doubt. City would be able to sign the 40-year-old on a short-term deal to fill in for Haaland should he be ruled out.

It is not the first time Ronaldo has been linked to City, having flirted with joining the club before Manchester United swooped in to convince him to have a second spell at Old Trafford. A move this time around is unlikely in Louis Saha's opinion, as the former United forward spoke out against his old team-mate playing in an "absolutely unnecessary" competition.

"I don’t think it makes sense. It's a tough question. It’s painful to think of Ronaldo at City. But also, I don’t think Ronaldo needs it, it wouldn’t be worth the message it would send," he said to Mega Dice. "Going to Man City for what? What is this new competition? For me, I don't respect it. This competition for me is absolutely unnecessary. Almost like something strange based on the fight that they had with the Super League. I just don't understand it. Going there for Cristiano doesn't make sense for me because the competition is not worth it."

Should Ronaldo stay at Al-Nassr, he will have a summer break due to their absence from the Club World Cup. Haaland, meanwhile, will hope to be fit for City's first game against Moroccan side Wydad on June 18.