Manchester United Transfer News: Huge Stars Eyed by Louis Van Gaal, Top Rumours
Manchester United’s former midfielder David Beckham has encouraged Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Old Trafford should he decide to leave his current club at the end of the season.
Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague confirmed that the 30-year-old could well depart the Santiago Bernabeu soon, citing Paris Saint-Germain as a possible destination for the Portuguese. Beckham, who also played for PSG, thinks Ronaldo should consider a move back to the Red Devils, though.
“If he decides to leave Real the only place he should go is back to United,” said the former England captain, per BBC Sport. “I'd have crawled back if I could. I'd never advise anyone not to come back to United.”
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For football romantics, it would be wonderful to see Ronaldo don the red shirt again. During his previous spell at Old Trafford, the Portuguese lit up the Premier League with his swaggering wing play, developing from a capricious youngster to an attacking force of nature under the guidance of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
As Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette notes, there have been some hints that a move could occur further down the line:
Despite the affinity that still clearly exists between Ronaldo, United and the club’s supporters, much has changed since Real made the winger the most expensive player in history back in 2009.
No longer are the Red Devils the driving force of English football, as they remain in a period of transition under Louis van Gaal. In addition, while Ronaldo remains one of the most formidable forwards in the game, he’s no longer the daring winger who would dazzle defenders with skill and slam long-range shots into the top corner.
However, as we can see here courtesy of Real TV presenter Semra Hunter, Ronaldo is still a potent goalscorer for Real and not a player you suspect they’d be too keen on parting with:
If Ronaldo does move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, a new challenge would be ideal. Heading back to United would have its benefits, but there’s little like a refreshing set of surroundings to keep motivation and performance levels high.
Going to PSG and potentially spearheading their charge to a maiden Champions League title would be both enticing and lucrative for Ronaldo. So while Beckham is better placed than most to comment on what a player should do when leaving the Spanish capital, the Portuguese would be better off ignoring his advice on this occasion.
United to Rival Chelsea for Marko Grujic
According to Hot Sport (h/t Sport Witness) and newspaper Vecernje Novosti (h/t insidefutbol.com), Manchester United will compete with Chelsea in an attempt to sign Serbian sensation Marko Grujic.
As noted by Sport Witness, Gazzetta dello Sport had previously claimed the Blues and Inter Milan were chasing the prodigious 19-year-old, with the former making an offer of €4 million (£2.7 million) to Red Star Belgrade. Hot Sport claim United have now stepped up their interest, having sent a scout to watch the midfielder in action for Serbia's under-21 team.
According to Dominic Fifield of the Guardian, Grujic has previously been compared with current Chelsea star and compatriot Nemanja Matic. His imposing somatotype, ability to carry the ball forward and strong tackling point to a player who could be a destructive influence at the base of a midfield further down the line.
United may well be taking a close look at the teenager, and it’s encouraging to hear the Red Devils are on the hunt for some of the brightest young talents on the continent. It’s an area of the squad in which Van Gaal is well stocked with options, but should United acquire Grujic, he’s a player who seems well capable of making an impression in years to come.
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