Cristiano Ronaldo Would Make Manchester United Clear-Cut Premier League Favorite

Manchester United will enter the upcoming Premier League season as the defending club champions. With Cristiano Ronaldo back in the fold, it would be hard to bet against the Red Devils winning their second straight EPL trophy this year. 

According to reports, the former Premier League star could be headed back to Old Trafford from the Bernabeu after spending the last four seasons with the La Liga club.

Duncan Wright of the Daily Star reported on Friday that Manchester United were moving forward in an attempt to sign the 28-year-old star away from his current outfit and back with the Red Devils. 

While most of United's public transfer focus has been on Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, it would appear that the Red Devils have pulled the wool over all of our eyes. 

Per Wright's report, United are putting together an £80 million package for the Portuguese star and have been for the better part of the last 12 days. 

Ronaldo, who is currently in the United States as part of Real Madrid's trip to the International Champions Cup, spent the first six seasons of his club career with United. He was shipped to Madrid in 2009, where his football career really took off. 

Last year with Los Blancos, Ronaldo had 34 goals in just 30 La Liga starts. He had 23 other goals for the club in their other competitions, including 12 in the Champions League. With Ronaldo's help, Real Madrid made the Champions League semifinals last season. 

Although they finished second to Barcelona in league play, Madrid did win the Copa del Rey. Anchored by Ronaldo's ability to create chances for himself and his teammates, Los Blancos time and again proved they were one of the top clubs in the world—no matter the competition. 

He did not score against the L.A. Galaxy in Real Madrid's first ICC match, but he provided an assist and was active with the ball. Any time Ronaldo is on the pitch, football and non-football fans alike are going to pay attention. 

Without argument, Ronaldo is one of the top five players in the world right now. 

The Red Devils have stayed quiet during the current transfer window, choosing instead to bank on their veteran players picking up the slack when the league season begins.

Between David de Gea, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and others, Moyes will have plenty of talent and experience to choose from. 

With Ronaldo in the fold, there won't be many EPL teams that can stand up to the talent and depth—particularly up front—that United will be able to run out on any given night during the upcoming league season. 

Of course, Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford appears to be contingent on another EPL star taking his place at the Bernabeu. 

As reported by Fox Sports, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that there have been talks between Los Blancos and Spurs for star striker Gareth Bale. 

If Bale winds up joining Madrid, there's little doubt the club wouldn't want to replenish some of their transfer funds by selling a comparable player. With Ronaldo's long-term future in Spain already in question, it makes sense to grant him a transfer. 

In a corresponding situation, it would be interesting to see what the Red Devils do in the event that they have Ronaldo, van Persie and Rooney on the roster. The logical option would be to ship Rooney to Chelsea. According to Simon Johnson of The Independent, the Blues are preparing a £40 million offer for the Englishman's services. 

If and when the Bale domino falls, there's a good chance United moves quickly in their pursuit of Ronaldo. If reports are true and the club has spent the better part of the past two weeks disguising pursuit for Ronaldo with Fabregas fluff, they are undoubtedly committed to this move. 

Without Ronaldo in the fold, the Red Devils are going to be tough to beat. Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal will all lay claim to the EPL title no matter the circumstance, but each would still face an uphill in unseating the current champions. 

With Ronaldo, United could be downright unstoppable. On paper—a dangerous phrase in today's sports world, no less—Moyes' side would likely enter the 2013-14 campaign as the league favorites in the event that their one-time star returns to Old Trafford for good. 

Follow B/R's Ethan Grant (@DowntownEG) on Twitter.