Man United Want Cristiano Ronaldo but Is the Feeling Mutual?

It's official: United want to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

Four years after letting him leave Old Trafford for Real Madrid, they want him back.

But then, the same was true a year ago. And the year before that. And probably every year since they agreed to sell him. He's that good.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that United want Ronaldo back. He's a marketing man's dream and has the talent to match.

They want Lionel Messi, too. And Gareth Bale. And Radamel Falcao. And Juan Mata. What manager wouldn't want those players in this team?

In truth, however, despite stalling over a new contract at the Bernabeu and sending cryptic tweets about his future, it is unlikely that Ronaldo will ever return to United.

There's little doubt that he loves the club and absence perhaps has made the heart grow fonder. In six years, he won the Premier League three times and the Champions League once.

He was crowned World Player of the Year and left for his dream club a hero. He's ensured his place in United's history and "Viva Ronaldo" will be sung from the Stretford End long after he's hung up his boots.

It's easy to see what's in it for United. They would score more goals with him on the team, win more games and win more trophies.

Ronaldo's record at United was good—118 goals in 292 games—but his record at Madrid—201 goals in 199 games—is out of this world.

There isn't any such thing in football as guaranteed success, but having a player like Ronaldo in your team is as close as it gets.

But what Ronaldo would get out of a return to Manchester is not so obvious.

He would leave Madrid having won a league title and a Spanish Cup, hardly the haul of a great. More importantly for Madridistas, he would leave with the club still searching for that 10th European Cup.

On top of that, the United he would rejoin is not the one he left. Sir Alex Ferguson has gone and been replaced with David Moyes. A good manager yes, but not one Ronaldo knows personally.

He could win the Premier League again, even the Champions League, but he's already been there and done that.

United's interest in one of the best players in the world is understandable. But underneath the rumour and speculation, we are yet to know for sure that the feeling is mutual.