Get Cristiano Ronaldo! Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal opens door to a £60m reunion as he continues to target pacy stars

  • Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be linked with a move back to Man United
  • United tried to re-sign star in 2013 but couldn't lure him back to England
  • Ronaldo now appears set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu next summer
  • Louis van Gaal has suggested he would be keen on signing the player
  • Dutchman said he may have to buy a replacement for left back Luke Shaw 

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has given his strongest indication yet that he would fight to sign Cristiano Ronaldo should the player decide to leave Real Madrid.

Ronaldo, 30, has been regularly linked with a return to Old Trafford in the past two years and it is strongly felt he will be allowed to leave the Bernabeu next summer as manager Rafa Benitez looks to build a team around Gareth Bale.

United tried to sign the three-time world player of the year in 2013 and with Van Gaal complaining his current squad doesn't have enough pace in wide areas, the Dutchman confirmed Ronaldo is in his thoughts.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has dropped the clearest hint yet that he wants Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo (left) looks set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu following the arrival of manager Rafa Benitez (right)

Ronaldo (left) looks set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu following the arrival of manager Rafa Benitez (right)

Benitez has plans to build his Real Madrid side around Welsh star Gareth Bale (left), rather than Ronaldo

Benitez has plans to build his Real Madrid side around Welsh star Gareth Bale (left), rather than Ronaldo

'He plays on the wings and he is fast and scores goals. I don't think there is a trainer in the world that doesn't like him,' said the United boss.

'Of course we would look. We are looking at all the players, not only Ronaldo, but these players are mostly not to get. Let's wait, and hope.'

Although United have indicated they would not be held to ransom by Ronaldo's wage demands, they are one of the few clubs in the world who could afford a £60million transfer fee and £250,000-a-week wages. 

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain would probably be the only realistic rivals with Ronaldo saying recently he wouldn't want to wind his career down in America or Qatar.

Former Red Gary Neville, best friend of United assistant-manager Ryan Giggs, tweeted last week: 'I would sign Ronaldo tomorrow. Of course I would.'

Of more pressing importance to Van Gaal is whether to sign a replacement for Luke Shaw in the New Year.

Van Gaal (pictured with Bastian Schweinsteiger after United's win at Watford) wants to add pace to his attack

Van Gaal (pictured with Bastian Schweinsteiger after United's win at Watford) wants to add pace to his attack

Ronaldo shows his frustration as Real are beaten 4-0 by Barcelona on Saturday at the Bernabeu

Ronaldo shows his frustration as Real are beaten 4-0 by Barcelona on Saturday at the Bernabeu

Ronaldo won the Premier League on three occasions and the Champions League during his time at United

Ronaldo won the Premier League on three occasions and the Champions League during his time at United

The left back is out with a broken leg suffered against PSV in September and the United manager is unconvinced that Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind can cover for the rest of the season if the club want to compete in the Premier League and Champions League.

'Shaw was the main player for that position so it is a big blow for us and maybe we have to buy a left full back for that position. In January,' confirmed van Gaal.

One possibility would be a short-term loan for Roma's former England defender Ashley Cole who is out of favour in Italy and interested in returning to England to play matches again. Shaw is expected to be out until April.

PSV's Hector Moreno, who broke Shaw's leg, can expect a hostile reaction when the Dutch club arrive at Old Trafford for United's next Champions League tie on Wednesday. 

Luke Shaw is expected to be out for the majority of the season following Hector Moreno's dangerous tackle

Luke Shaw is expected to be out for the majority of the season following Hector Moreno's dangerous tackle

Ashley Cole, who is out of favour at Roma after his move from Chelsea, is a possible target for United

Ashley Cole, who is out of favour at Roma after his move from Chelsea, is a possible target for United

Van Gaal doesn't think the defender deliberately set out to hurt Shaw but has called the tackle 'reckless' and 'lousy'.

'The purpose was for the ball and not the leg,' he said. 'But it should have been a penalty and a red card.'

Moreno went on to score PSV's equaliser and they went on to win 2-1. However, United could qualify for the knockout stages for gaining revenge this week.

 

 

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