Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Belief Grows, Latest Rumours

Rumours surrounding a potential return to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo are back in full swing, with reports suggesting Real Madrid would prefer to cash in on the Portuguese rather than sell Gareth Bale.

That's according to Pete Jenson of the MailOnline, who claims in a piece examining Ronaldo's current lull in form that the Red Devils are courting both of the former Premier League stars, but remarkably, their former No. 7 is currently looking like a much more feasible option:

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Manchester United have been linked with both a bold move for Gareth Bale or a romantic return for Ronaldo. Sources in Madrid now say of the two moves, it would be a bid for Ronaldo that would meet with less resistance.

For all the boos and whistles for Gareth Bale from sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd the club president Florentino Perez is firmly behind his £86million signing and sees him as Ronaldo's heir apparent.

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Jenson goes on to suggest "Ronaldo could yet find time in his record-breaking career to go back to Old Trafford for a glorious swansong."

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The prospect of Ronaldo donning United red once again is an enticing one for the club's supporters, and despite being 30 years old, the Portuguese is a player whom the majority of Red Devils supporters would love to see back at Old Trafford strutting his stuff.

His acquisition would certainly go a long way to making United title challengers once again; Bleacher Report's Stan Collymore recently took a look some other stars who could help Louis van Gaal's side rediscover their spot among the Premier League's elite:

Indeed, according to reports in Spain, Sir Alex Ferguson has talked with Ronaldo about rejoining the Red Devils, per AS:

But in the long term, is a move for Ronaldo really the direction United want to push in? Of course, he remains one of the finest players in world football, an incredible scorer of goals and a player who would stir positive emotions should a deal be struck in the upcoming transfer window. For how long, though?

Perhaps Ronaldo's current slump is indicative of his age? Maybe, after an exhausting 2014 in which he won myriad honours and travelled to the World Cup, his body is beginning to feel the brunt of his punishing playing style and willingness to feature as much as possible for Los Blancos? It's conjecture, of course, but far from completely unfeasible.

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Ronaldo certainly looks a frustrated figure at the moment and is sorely missing the patented spark that made him such a force to be reckoned with at the back end of 2014.

As noted by former England international Gary Lineker, Ronaldo's staggering hissy fit after Bale's goal at the weekend will only serve to conjure a toxic atmosphere within the dressing room and further fuel rumours of potential unrest:

Perhaps a move would be ideal for Ronaldo. He's enjoyed six magnificent seasons in La Liga, has broken a clutch of records and will infinitely hold legendary status with the Madridistas because of the performances he has regularly turned in in the iconic all-white strip. But he doesn't look happy at the moment, and a fresh start could potentially rejuvenate him.

You can bet if Ronaldo does decide to move on that United would be top of his list when it comes to potential destinations. But the Red Devils should resist the urge to launch a rapacious pursuit of their former star and instead pump money into building a young squad that can mould underpinning foundations for a much more prosperous future.