Better than great: Sir Bobby admits he'd love 'phenomenal' Ronaldo back at United

By Simon Stone, Press Association

PUBLISHED: 03:31 EST, 12 March 2013 | UPDATED: 06:11 EST, 12 March 2013

Manchester United great Sir Bobby Charlton says he would be delighted to see Cristiano Ronaldo back at Old Trafford. 

Ronaldo left the North West for Real Madrid in 2009, but United at the weekend met with Nike officials to raise funds for a bid to bring the Portugal star back to the Premier League leaders. 

The striker has shone at both Old Trafford and the Bernabeu and after playing in the Champions League against his former club last week, United are ready to make a move to bring him back to England, according to The Sun.

Superstar: Manchester United could make a bid to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League

Superstar: Manchester United could make a bid to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League

 

‘Any great player would be welcomed back but Cristiano went beyond being just a great player,’ Sir Bobby said at the Laureus Sports Awards in Rio.

‘He scores phenomenal goals, loves the club and was just the right sort of player at Manchester United. I’m a fan of him like anyone else and on a personal level I would like to see him back. I can’t say anything more than that.’

Sir Bobby also has no concerns about the future of Wayne Rooney at the club.

The forward was left out of the starting line-up for United’s Champions League defeat by Real Madrid last week, triggering intense speculation about his status at Old Trafford.

Although manager Sir Alex Ferguson rejected talk that he was willing to let Rooney leave United this summer, and subsequently selected the 27-year-old for Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Chelsea, rumours are bound to continue for some time.

Yet Charlton, whose records as top scorer for both United and England are under threat from the former Everton man, is not concerned Rooney might be heading for the exit.

‘I don’t worry about Wayne Rooney,’ Charlton said.

‘There is no way he will ever be allowed to move on, because that is not the way Sir Alex Ferguson works.

‘Wayne has been our regular goalscorer - and he scores fantastic goals.

‘If he scores a great goal, he’ll think, “Right, I’ll get another one”.

‘Not only that, he has an influence on the rest of the team.

‘Just because he has some competition, I don’t think that is a problem.’

Nevertheless, there are enough examples of Ferguson ditching extremely high-profile players in the past for Rooney's Old Trafford future to be 100 per cent assured.

Legend: Sir Bobby Charlton admits he would love to see the Real Madrid star back at Old Trafford

Legend: Sir Bobby Charlton admits he would love to see the Real Madrid star back at Old Trafford

Lethal: Ronaldo has become one of the best players in the world in recent years

Lethal: Ronaldo has become one of the best players in the world in recent years

On his way? Speculation has been rife over the future of Wayne Rooney at United

On his way? Speculation has been rife over the future of Wayne Rooney at United

 

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Problem with ronaldo these so called messi fans belittled everyone of his achievement. Some people will Never gibe him credit no matter how many goals he scores or how spectacular his goals are.

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It always amazes me when the rumour mongers in the media start these rumours how so many Liverpool fans get upset is it jealousy that Liverpool are out of the lime light or that these players are not linked with them. As anyone with an ounce of sense would like these players in their team what's their problem. Just for the record if united got half the players linked with us this season we could have 7 teams in the premier league,

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It always amazes me when the rumour mongers in the media start these rumours how so many Liverpool fans get upset is it jealousy that Liverpool are out of the lime light or that these players are not linked with them. As anyone with an ounce of sense would like these players in their team what's their problem. Just for the record if united got half the players linked with us this season we could have 7 teams in the premier league,

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Tapping up!

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In the last week I've seen the English media tout, Bale, Ronaldo, Wilshire and Modric to move to OT.....who already dominate English football - the journos clearly don't think it unhealthy that one club has dominated English football for the last 18 years - funny, they did when Liverpool dominated ;)...... - BootleDodger , Liverpool, 12/3/2013 11:09 no they didn't, but if, by some amazing reason, you are right, that's why your noses are out of joint and you are on united articles all the time rather than your own clubs'.. which is amusing..!

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best player .

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It really is a shame that this great football icon is connected to Manchester United.After the FAs dealings with Ferdinand this week it must be really embarrassing for him!!

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Ronaldo will surely come back if madrid win Champs league this year. Ronaldo feels he is less appreciated and recognised at madrid for his efforts than at UTD where he belongs

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Why is this even an article? Bobby Charlton would welcome Ronaldo back? Talk about state the obvious.

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"Why would he go back, he is at a top club.- redsarerising, Liverpool. UK., 12/3/2013 6:21"----> Yep, correct. He's at 'a' top club. If when he comes back to United, he'll be at 'the' top club. Big difference.

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