Man United transfers: Louis van Gaal hails ‘fantastic’ Cristiano Ronaldo

Louis van Gaal has admitted that he would love to add Cristiano Ronaldo to his Manchester United squad and described the Portuguese forward as a “fantastic player”.

As Angel di Maria looks set to join Paris St Germain, Van Gaal believes United need to replace him with a quick and direct attacker if they are going to compete with the best clubs in European football.

He is a fantastic player, I like him

Louis van Gaal

Ronaldo is a former Old Trafford favourite and has often been linked with a return to the club, to the delight of the fans.

Van Gaal told a news conference on Sunday: “I can imagine that [Man United fans see Ronaldo as the holy grail signing].

“He is a fantastic player, I like him.”

When asked if he needed that kind of player to complete his squad, he replied: “Of course.”

MORE: Read the latest Man United player tweets

Ronaldo scored 84 goals in 196 matches for Manchester United in a six-year spell after joining from Sporting Lisbon and won his first Ballon d’Or award whilst at the club in 2008.

He moved to Real Madrid in 2009 and became the most expensive player in history but has not ruled out a return to Manchester in the future.