Rumour: Manchester United plotting to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back from Real Madrid
Manchester United are interested in bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, The Mirror reports. The rumours are nothing new, but this latest one could be credible, especially coming on the back of Ronaldo’s training ground altercation with Los Blancos manager Rafael Benitez.
United famously tried to re-sign Ronaldo back in 2013 when David Moyes was in charge, but he ignored the approach before signing a new contract at Madrid until 2018. But United’s financial muscle power have increased tremendously since then and under Louis van Gaal, they have been rebuilding the squad with some big-money signings over the last two seasons.
The likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian has been signed in this summer alone but there have been indications that United are not done just yet.
With the United manager coy on his next move and hinting at a surprise signing, rumours have been rife as to who the next arrival at Old Trafford could be. The names of Thomas Muller, Edison Cavani and even Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been doing the rounds but with reports that the Portuguese international is unhappy with the training methods of his new manager, a deal could very well be on the cards.
A video of the training ground incident surfaced later in the day which the media were quick to latch on to, forcing Benitez to talk down reports of uneasiness between the pair. Ronaldo was left furious after Benitez, who was acting as the referee, disallowed a goal during a squad practice match prompting him to say: “He gives everything against the Portuguese.”
In a later session where Benitez had the team taking the cross-bar challenge, Ronaldo was seen visibly frustrated and reportedly said: “The idea is to get the ball in the net. Not this.”
Ronaldo and United – A match unbreakable
Ronaldo joined Madrid in 2009 for a then world record transfer fee of £80 million and though a deal currently might not eclipse that amount, it could very well be above the £59.7 million the Old Trafford outfit paid for Angel di Maria last summer.
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Ronaldo as a raw teenager way back in 2003 and enjoyed a prolific time at Old Trafford under the Scotsman. He enjoyed personal success as well as team glory during his time there and has time and again talked about a possible return.
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup title, but the crowning glory was undoubtedly the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League which United won beating rivals Chelsea.
He won the first of his three Ballon d’Or titles at United as he scored an astonishing 42 goals in that season of European glory. The 30-year-old has always spoken of his admiration for Sir Alex and has on more than one occasion, hinted of a return to his former hunting ground.