Man United transfers: Cristiano Ronaldo ‘could be tempted into return’

Cristiano Ronaldo could be tempted into a sensational return to Manchester United this summer, according to Gary Pallister.

The Portugal international’s Real Madrid future has been a source of speculation in recent months following the forward’s declaration that he is unhappy in the Spanish capital “for professional reasons” back in the autumn.

The 28-year-old has been linked with both a return to Old Trafford and a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.

And former Manchester United defender Pallister can see the forward, who has scored 190 goals in 192 games for Real Madrid since his £80m transfer in 2009, considering a move back to the Premier League.

“I know for sure that Sir Alex would love to have Ronaldo back at Old Trafford,” Pallister told Goal.com.

“To be honest, I didn’t think it would be likely, especially this summer, but I’m coming round to it now.

“A lot depends on whether [manager] Jose Mourinho stays at Real, but, if not, Ronaldo could be tempted into a return.”

Last month, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson moved to play down speculation linking Ronaldo with a return to Old Trafford by insisting that a deal was unlikely.

“I don’t think there’s anything, as far as I’m aware, that would encourage me to think he would come back here. I don’t think there’s anything in that at all,” said Ferguson on 3 March.

“He has got two years left on his contract. It could be to do with the fact that negotiations are going on for a new contract. I think maybe his agent is playing the game, though I’m not prepared to comment on that.”