Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United stopped Oleksandr Zinchenko moving to Serie A

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United last summer stopped Oleksandr Zinchenko moving to Serie A, according to the Ukrainian's agent.

Back in 2019, rumours circulated that Zinchenko could be on his way out of Manchester City, with Napoli one of the clubs believed to be a likely destination for the defender. Instead, Zinchenko was handed a new contract by Pep Guardiola, but that didn't stop his agent, Alan Prudnikov, from hinting that his client could still one day leave the Etihad Stadium.

He told Radio Marte (via CalcioNapoli24 ): "With Guardiola, he plays at full-back, but he can do at least four roles and today he is focused on City, but in football never say never.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola explains Man City gameplan for 'almost unstoppable' Cristiano Ronaldo

"One day it would be nice to beat Ronaldo also in Serie A. But it is necessary that Cristiano does not retire also because at the moment, Zinchenko’s future is at City."

Nearly three years on and Zinchenko remains at the Blues while Ronaldo has since moved to the Premier League. This switch could now have dashed any possible move to a Serie A club for the Ukrainian.

Zinchenko and Ronaldo will face each other this Sunday in the Manchester derby. The former made an emotional return to the City starting XI on Tuesday after a difficult few weeks away from football following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.

Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.

Catch up on all the latest Reds headlines in our Man United section

Catch up on all the latest Blues headlines in our Man City section