Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Players, Rumours Linked to Red Devils

Cristiano Ronaldo may well have left Manchester United fans in despair upon his exit from Old Trafford back in 2009, but there remained a strange air of optimism that the Portuguese star would don the famous red shirt again at some point in time.

That time is seemingly fast approaching.

During a question-and-answer session with Sky Sports, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague said Ronaldo “dreams” of heading back to Manchester United and that a deal could be struck in 2016:

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As I have said for months, everything is ready for him to go back. All the finances are in place if he decides to join them. He does dream of going back but I am pretty sure that if given the choice of PSG, another top European club or United, he might realise going back is not the greatest of ideas. He will have to fight with his own shadow. I feel before next summer Ronaldo will have to think about his future carefully.

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Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner owes much of his stardom to United and former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and it’s long been believed that he’ll bring the curtain down on his quite remarkable career back in Manchester.

But what are the chances of Ronaldo making the switch to the Theatre of Dreams as soon as next summer?

Personal preference aside, it’s difficult to see Real Madrid agreeing to let their star man go.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

You don’t have to be a genius to work out that Ronaldo is integral to the Spanish giants’ brilliance—eight goals in his last two games tells you that—and despite the club’s Galatico policy, Ronaldo’s would be the biggest boots to fill. Ever.

Manager Rafa Benitez knows as much, too, as he said that the forward is Real’s star man despite insisting that he needs to become more of a team player—via Pete Jenson of MailOnline:

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Cristiano is our [Pau] Gasol. He is our best player but what I want is that the most important player plays to help the team. Spain reached the final because the team played well and because the player who makes the difference played for the team.

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Ronaldo has caused many a stir with his demonstrative behaviour when a team-mate gets on the scoresheet instead of him, but such is his desire to score goals that neither friendship nor camaraderie stand in the way.

A player of that mind-blowing calibre would set United back a pretty penny to say the very least, but as Balague says that the “finances are in place” for the deal, there’s cause for optimism yet.

However, despite the fact that Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford seems to be a case of when rather than if, the chances of landing him at the peak of his powers remain slim.

Jetro Willems

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

From the most famous player in the world to something of an unknown now, as Manchester United are said to be chasing PSV Eindhoven defender Jetro Willems, according to Eindhovens Dagblad, via talkSPORT.

The 21-year-old is yet to feature for PSV this season due to a niggling knee injury but has displayed his credentials as a top-class star for both club and country over the years.

Willems is a speedy yet composed defender with a keen eye for getting forward and turning defence into attack.

Dmitry Lovetsky/Associated Press

Like many full-backs, he can be found neglecting his responsibilities going backwards, but his tough-tackling style suggests he can prove a versatile player with the right guidance.

It’s little wonder United have their eagle eye on him, then, and the report states that the Red Devils’ pursuit has been boosted due to contract talks between Willems and PSV stalling.

That opens up the possibility of the Dutchman leaving for a bargain price in the summer, although with Luke Shaw sidelined with a broken leg, United could go in for Willems as soon as January.

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United’s back line has solidified somewhat this term, yet there’s still plenty of work to be done.

As for landing a new left-back, the fact that Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo are proven on the flank suggests Louis van Gaal will keep his money in his pocket this time around.

Shaw was fast becoming one of the best left-backs in the league before his untimely injury, and although he’s unlikely to put the red shirt on again before the 2016/17 campaign, he’s undoubtedly going to be a mainstay in the United team for many a season.

Van Gaal should be focusing his attention on landing a first-rate centre-back to lead his inexperienced defensive troops, as splashing the cash wildly on attacking players hasn’t exactly worked so far.