Manchester United Transfer News: Gareth Bale Urges Cristiano Ronaldo to Stay

Manchester United fans dream of the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Gareth Bale has encouraged his team-mate to stay at Real Madrid.

Bale believes the prolific Portuguese powerhouse must stay in the Spanish capital, rather than return to Old Trafford, per ESPN.co.uk: "He's shown what a world-class player he is year after year scoring the goals. Obviously he's a player we wouldn't want to see leave. Of course, (I) want to see him stay at Real Madrid."

Bale's views no doubt echo the sentiments of all those faithful to Los Blancos. Ronaldo has been in stunning form for the 10-time European Cup winners at the start of this campaign.

The one-time Sporting Lisbon prodigy has already netted a staggering 15 goals in La Liga and UEFA Champions League action, per WhoScored.com. He is producing the best football of his career in Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti's fluid, attacking formations.

His partnership with Bale and centre-forward Karim Benzema has given Los Blancos the most dynamic attacking trio on the continent. It's certainly easy to see why Bale is so keen for Ronaldo to stay.

Ancelotti's Real are the current top scorers in La Liga. That's thanks largely to the 18 goals shared between Ronaldo, Benzema and former United striker Javier Hernandez, per the club's official Twitter feed:

In this context, it's tough to see exactly why Ronaldo would seriously consider a return to Old Trafford, despite his obvious affinity with the Red Devils. Ronaldo won every major honour at United between 2003-09.

But as good as he was at United, Ronaldo has been a more complete player for Los Merengues. Yet despite his dominance in Spain, the rumours of his eventual return to the red half of Manchester have only grown stronger in recent seasons.

Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph chronicled the now year-long saga of United plotting their hero's return:

"

United built a bid for Ronaldo last year, the money was in place to prise him from Madrid and the player made no secret of his readiness to consider a move back to Old Trafford.

But United were serious about Ronaldo and, with rumours emanating from Madrid over the player’s discontent at the Bernabeu and apparent disillusionment following the sale of Angel Di Maria to Old Trafford, they will be serious again about signing him next summer if the opportunity arises.

"

However, Spanish football pundit Guillem Balague recently announced United fans should put their celebration plans on hold, per Daily Star reporter Jack Wilson: "I know for a fact Real Madrid will not let Cristiano go this summer, no way. It doesn’t matter that Manchester United have the finances to get him, it doesn’t matter that Cristiano is thinking of coming back—Real Madrid won’t let him go."

There certainly isn't any good reason why Los Blancos would consider letting Ronaldo walk. While the player may miss Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil, two stars who regularly assisted his goals, Ronaldo is warming to new arrivals Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez.

Jon Super/Associated Press/Associated Press

United certainly haven't been shy about splashing the cash since Louis van Gaal took over this summer. However, that spending has mostly involved the Dutchman dedicating his resources to attacking talents.

That has created a lopsided squad that is finding goals easy to come by, but it is also surrendering them at an alarming rate. United are one of 10 teams to have conceded double digits already this season, per PremierLeague.com.

After signing Di Maria and loaning Radamel Falcao with the chance to buy, Van Gaal should focus next summer's resources on United's leaky defence instead.

A second chapter of life at Old Trafford for Ronaldo will continue to be talked about, however, for now at least, it seems unlikely to actually happen.