Cristiano Ronaldo wants to return to Manchester United after feeling ‘let down’ by Real Madrid, according to club mouthpiece Marca
CRISTIANO RONALDO wants Manchester United return after feeling ‘let down’ by Real Madrid, according to club mouthpiece Marca.
The Portuguese star, 32, sensationally claimed he was leaving the La Liga giants this summer.
Jose Mourinho's United were quickly installed as the bookies' favourites to land him - as Ronaldo has a place in his heart.
CR7 left boyhood club Sporting Lisbon in 2003 to join the Old Trafford giants, before leaving for Real in 2009.
However, he's always had a soft spot for Manchester United.
In 2014, Ronaldo told the Telegraph: "I love Manchester. Everyone knows that. Manchester is in my heart.
"I left many good friends there. The supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day."
Talk of Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid surfaced on Friday morning.
Four-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo had enjoyed another sensational season at the Bernabeu.
But he is said to feel the club has not protected him sufficiently after he was charged with allegedly evading £13million in tax.
Real Madrid appeared to completely back him, but a different picture has since emerged which may suggest why he wants out after eight years at the club.
The breakdown may be linked to reports in El Confidencial.
They claimed Real contacted all the Spanish media outlets and requested them not to publish pictures of Ronaldo in a Madrid shirt when covering the tax story.
The Euro 2016-winning forward was also puzzlingly left out of a video promo for Madrid’s new kit.
Despite being a global superstar, he has frequently been jeered by disgruntled fans — and has spoken of his unhappiness at what he perceives to be a lack of gratitude.
A return to Manchester United could certainly be on the cards for Ronaldo - much to fans' delight.
Mourinho had been pursuing Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann, before that deal fell through after the forward called the Special One's bluff when issued an ultimatum.
United have since been edging towards a deal for Real forward Alvaro Morata.
But with the total fee set to set the Old Trafford club back £180m, United may now turn their attention back to club icon Ronaldo.