Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Cristiano Ronaldo, Arturo Vidal, More

Manchester United fans will need to be "patient" when waiting for Cristiano Ronaldo to return from Real Madrid, according to Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

The B/R UK guest columnist spoke to Revista de La Liga once more about the potential transfer. He believes Ronaldo is most likely to return in 2016 and not this January or the following summer, reported by Sky Sports:

"

People want this to happen in January, if possible. It’s not going to happen. In the summer? I don’t think it’s going to happen. Real Madrid have got no intention whatsoever of selling Cristiano Ronaldo next summer. In two years’ time I would say yes, that is possibly the time when he will be 31 going on 32, for Real Madrid to say: 'OK, if we can cash in on him, brilliant. He has done a lot for us, but that’s it, time to move on.'

"

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Balague maintains that Ronaldo "dreams" of heading back to Old Trafford, a link the Ballon d'Or winner recently played down. Ronaldo suggested his "future is Madrid" and that he remains "happy" in the Spanish capital, per Sky Sports.

This may be a smokescreen of sorts from the player—particularly if he knows Los Blancos aren't willing to sell in the immediate future—as it would be foolish to risk the wrath of fans by saying he wishes to exit. Ronaldo has scored 10 goals in five La Liga games so far this campaign and will remain a key player until the day he leaves the Bernabeu.

United fans are used to dealing with irritating transfer sagas, something this link threatens to become across the next couple of seasons. This year's main example of continued hype without action centred on Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, who is once again on Louis van Gaal's radar according to Fichajes.net and via Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror.

The Chilean midfielder was constantly linked with a big-money move to United during the summer, but he remained in Turin. Vidal has appeared in four of Juve's five Serie A matches this season, scoring two goals, via WhoScored.com. He is yet to last 90 minutes since returning from the knee injury that plagued his World Cup, however, and will need to be closely watched in the run up to January's transfer window.

Flanagan indicates Vidal has "already agreed personal terms" ahead of a move, a line United fans will likely bat away after the summer. Juve centre-back Angelo Ogbonna is also said to be on Van Gaal's radar, reported by Tuttomercatoweb and via Flanagan, a move that could see Chris Smalling join Arsenal.

One player looking to extend his United stay is youngster Andreas Pereira. The Brazilian recently made his first-team debut during the Capital One Cup defeat to MK Dons but has less than a year remaining on his contract and is yet to be offered a new deal, reported by the Daily Star's Gary Jones. Van Gaal has told the player to remain patient, as Pereira revealed to Lancenet, via Jones:

"

They haven't contacted me yet, but Van Gaal told me to stay calm. He wants to give me a chance because I have plenty of talent. When he arrived at the club, I talked with him. He always does so. 

They talk with me, give me advice, they help a lot. They tell me what is better to do and not do. Anderson talks with me a lot and Darren Fletcher also helps.

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Clive Mason/Getty Images

United fans can expect plenty of further changes across the next couple of transfer windows. Van Gaal is still building his squad and is more than likely to bolster the club's midfield and defensive numbers when given the opportunity to do so. His failure to sign a world-class centre-back has left United short so far, even if new signing Marcos Rojo, plus debutants Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair, showed their quality in the 10-man win over West Ham, per Daniel Harris of The Guardian:

Ronaldo's move appears likely, although it's difficult to suggest the Portuguese star will remain at his physical peak in two years' time.

His presence alone could have a major impact on the squad, though, and he's a prime candidate to help coach United's next generation of stars. He certainly seems more likely to arrive than Vidal, who could be placed alongside Wesley Sneijder as one who is constantly linked with little movement on the deal. United fans will secretly hold hope of the Chilean destroyer's arrival, no matter how drawn out.

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United's ability to return to the Champions League could have a major say in the players they lure next season, although Van Gaal has done well to land top stars without European football. Even so, the longevity of the club's appeal is boosted by the competition.

Qualification appears unlikely this campaign but remains key to Van Gaal's grand plans of returning the side to its former glory.