Spanish football expert Guillem Balague insists Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart is still at Old Trafford, and the Real Madrid superstar would love to return to Manchester United. However, Balague believes a move back to United would be a step backward for Ronaldo.
The day Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Manchester United, the seeds of legend were sown. In the course of time, he realised Carrington was the ideal place to pave his path, Old Trafford to play his football and the Premier League to feel loved.
Ronaldo enjoyed seven successful seasons at United before parting ways with the Red Devils in the summer of 2009.
Ronaldo dreams of coming ‘home’
Guillem Balague suggests that although the move to Real Madrid has worked wonders for Ronaldo, the 30-year-old would love to come back as he still refers to Manchester United as home.
“Cristiano Ronaldo still dreams of returning to Manchester United. The English club informed his agent in 2013 that they have enough financial power to secure his return”, Balague told Skysports . .
“In fact, everything has been in place since his departure in case both parties decide to take that step.
“The club’s new manager at the time, David Moyes, believed that they were about to convince Ronaldo to come back that very summer. “
A move back to United would be no good
While Ronaldo’s eyes might light up at the thought of returning to United, Guillem Balague does not think it would beneficial for either party.
“Ronaldo would go back to the city that he wanted to leave behind for so many years. He would have to fight against his own shadow. Manchester United have a big enough global following and sufficient financial firepower without him.
“They no longer need Cristiano Ronaldo. He will remain a Manchester United legend. A memory that both club and player still feed off today.
“But in my opinion it does not make sense for him to return to Old Trafford. Neither for the club nor for him.”
Unconditional adoration awaits the legend at Old Trafford, if he chooses to move
At Real Madrid, Ronaldo has achieved everything that he would have wished to achieve when he left the Red Devils for the Spanish Giants. But the one thing that he hasn’t been able to do, is create a tacit understanding with the Real Madrid fans. And no matter how many goals he scores, he will always be admired, rather than loved by the Santiago Bernabaeu faithful.
At present, Real Madrid and Manchester United are in parallel universes. But although the prospect of money and trophies aren’t tempting enough to return to United, Ronaldo knows he will be appreciated and loved unconditionally by the fans. He is already a Manchester United legend.