Manchester United have recently made contact with Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes over a sensational Old Trafford return, according to reports. Here’s why the transfer could happen

Cristiano Ronaldo has long been linked with a move back to Manchester United. But it seems that ahead of this summer rumours are stronger than they have ever been.

Ronaldo joined Man United back in 2003 and spent six seasons at Old Trafford, winning the Ballon d’Or, three Premier League  titles and the Champions League.

He left Man United for Real Madrid in 2009 where he continued to win trophies, before putting pen to paper with Juventus in 2018.

According to recent reports from Italy,  Manchester United  have made contact with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes over a sensational Old Trafford return.

Here we look at five reasons why the transfer could happen.

Trouble in paradise

When Ronaldo signed for Juventus it was with a view to winning the Champions League with a third club.

The Old Lady reached the final in 2017 but were beaten by Ronaldo’s Real Madrid.

There was the feeling that one special signing could make all the difference, and Ronaldo was to be that man – the player to clinch the European crown.

But things haven’t worked out for Juventus or Ronaldo during his two seasons at the club, with Juventus reaching only the last-16 in the past two seasons.

As a result, Ronaldo is said to be growing tired of the failings in Turin and looking for an escape route this summer despite having a year left on his Juventus contract.

Man United can afford him

Ronaldo wouldn’t command a huge transfer fee these days.

After all, the Portuguese is now 36 years old and has just one year left on his contract in Italy.

But his wages would be astronomical – a reported £520,000-a-week – meaning there are only a few clubs who could afford him.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was recently asked whether Los Blancos are considering bringing the forward back to the Bernabeu for one last hurrah.

But Perez ruled out a transfer taking place.

He told El Chiringuito: “Cristiano Ronaldo will not come back to Real Madrid. It does not make sense, he has a contract with Juventus. I love him a lot, he has given us a lot.”

This leaves Ronaldo with limited options unless he chooses to leave the continent for a team in Asia or America.

United could just about stretch to add the Portuguese to their wage bill, but reports in Italy suggest they may not have to break the bank, with claims Ronaldo would be willing to take a pay cut.

A new frontman is needed

Manchester United have some brilliant strikers in Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, and Anthony Martial.

But the trio are still relatively young and have benefitted immensely from having the experienced head of Edinson Cavani in the Old Trafford dressing room this season.

The Uruguayan has showcased his excellence week-in, week-out since joining United on a free from Paris Saint-Germain, with his movement in the box praised after every game.

Having him around is getting the best from all the attacking players at the club, but his dad has suggested he will be leaving at the end of the season after only one year at United.

Cavani’s father claims he’s unhappy at Old Trafford and will more than likely be moving home to South America to conclude his career with a team in Argentina.

Should this happen, a huge hole will appear in United’s attack, and Ronaldo would be the perfect candidate to fill it.

When the Portuguese played for United first time round he was a winger, but in recent years he has morphed into the perfect centre-forward – the ultimate fox in the box.

His experience would continue Cavani’s work at United, and help get the best out of Greenwood and co. for the future.

Super League apology

Manchester United owners The Glazers upset fans this week when it was announced that the club would be signing up for the European Super League.

The controversial decision was met with unanimous backlash from fans, who demanded the Red Devils U-turn on their decision.

United eventually bowed to the pressure and 48 hours after the announcement confirmed that they would be backing out.

Joel Glazer issued an apology to supporters in response.

Fans are pleased with the club’s decision to back out of the Super League, but they’re not happy it was something that was agreed upon in the first place – especially as supporters were not made aware in advance.

It’s going to be a long time if ever before the relationship between The Glazers and the fans is healed, and the owners may feel signing Ronaldo could go some way to making it up to the supporters.

Written in the stars

Ronaldo has continually dropped hints over the years that he’d like to one day return to United.

It would be the ultimate fairytale and one that the Portuguese would seemingly be only too happy to write.

In 2014, Ronaldo admitted he couldn’t rule out returning to Old Trafford one day, saying: “Some players I am still in contact with because when I was there I created a good relationship with everybody, not just the players, all the staff around.

“And it was like my second family there too, so I’ll not forget that the people treat me well. I’ll not forget. I love Manchester, to be back, I never know, you never know.

“Of course I’m happy at Real Madrid, it’s my home, it’s my club but Manchester treat me unbelievable so we never know.”

https://get-latest.convrse.media/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fnews%2F5-reasons-cristiano-ronaldo-ready-23968557&cre=bottom&cip=60&view=web In a different interview in the same year, he added: “I love Manchester. Everyone knows that. Manchester is in my heart. The supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day.”

Three years later in 2017, Ronaldo announced: “Nothing is impossible,” when asked about a possible return.

Around the same time, he also praised United fans for not booing him, unlike Real Madrid’s supporters.

“I don’t like it and it’s not normal that they whistle you in your own stadium. I just don’t like it,” said Ronaldo. “It’s not correct. And when you are on a difficult run that is when you need extra support from outside not less. Sometimes we don’t have it.

“I spent a lot of years at Manchester United and it never happened to me. Not even once. Maybe England is a case apart – the mentality is different.”

-Mirror