Cristiano Ronaldo Comments on Manchester United's Struggles

That sound you hear is the Cristiano Ronaldo-to-Manchester United klaxon firing up again after the Real Madrid winger commented on the Red Devils' current situation.

Asked in an interview with BBC Sport's Dan Roan about how he feels regarding United's recent struggles on the pitch, Ronaldo said he wishes the club's fortunes would turn around:

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For me it's hard to see that because it's a club that I love. Of course I want to see Manchester United at the level that it was in the past. Like, for example, Sporting Lisbon was my first professional club. I like to see the clubs that I like at the top and I think Manchester this season is better, but I think they still have work to do to be at the level of six, seven years ago.

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Ronaldo added that it's impossible to tell whether he'll ever play for United again but that he's signed to Real Madrid and more than happy to remain with the club.    

Of course, such comments—no matter how innocuous—are bound to spark discussion of a possible return to Old Trafford for the reigning Ballon d'Or winner.

It wouldn't be the first time—even this week—football supporters took the slightest hint of a move and ran with it.

ESPN FC's Mark Rodden wrote about how the Portuguese star's brief talk with manager Laurent Blanc on the touchline during Madrid's 1-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday set ablaze speculation Ronaldo is on his way to the French champions. For his part, the PSG manager did little to dispel the notion, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

Earlier in the month, Ronaldo told Spanish paper Marca (h/t Corrigan) that he plans on retiring as a Madrid player, but such declarations won't stop determined United supporters from hoping for the best.

Ronaldo undoubtedly continues to have a strong passion for Manchester United, but it looks doubtful that passion will drive him back to England until at least after his playing career is over.