Ronaldo: Red Devils return possible

Cristiano Ronaldo may play for Manchester United again one day, saying: “Maybe in the future I could return.”

The 25-year-old departed for Real Madrid in a world record £80m deal last summer after six seasons at Old Trafford, which yielded three Barclays Premier League titles, a Champions League crown and numerous other team and personal honours.

The move was long mooted, with Ronaldo’s desire to play in Spain and the astronomical transfer fee eventually seeing the forward switch to the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo, who joined United for £12.24m from Sporting Lisbon aged 18, has made a strong start to his Real career, scoring 11 times in 13 Primera Division appearances – including two goals in last night’s win over Xerez – and six times in four Champions League appearances.

But he may pull on a Red Devils shirt again.

“Of course I miss playing for Manchester United,” Ronaldo said in The News of the World.

“I played there for six years and that’s a long time.

“I am still interested in watching Manchester United and, you never know, maybe in the future I could return to play there.

“It’s always possible.”

Ronaldo has a long-term contract at Real which he plans to honour, but he stressed his fondness for Alex Ferguson, his former United team-mates and the Old Trafford club.

“I want to fulfil my contract here but, in the future, only God knows,” he added.

“I will not say I am not happy here at Real Madrid.

“I am really happy and everyone knows this is my club but, of course, I miss Manchester United, the boss, the players, because I left family there.”