Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Plan, Latest Rumours

Manchester United have devised a new approach to help them land superstars such as Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Neymar, which involves using their status as a commercial powerhouse to lure them to Old Trafford.

According to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, in regards to Ronaldo: "United would be prepared to break the world transfer record for a man on the verge of turning 31 for more than just what he can offer on the pitch."

Robson expands, saying United's virtually unrivalled global standing allows them to significantly raise the profiles—and resulting commercial revenues—of the players they sign.

Therefore, a deal for Ronaldo or Neymar would see them form a symbiotic relationship—United would receive a marquee player who can significantly improve them on the pitch and generate merchandise sales off it, while the player himself would benefit significantly from a higher status and the privileges and financial rewards that entails.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

According to Robson, Red Devils executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told investors, "We believe the impact on player profiles around the world by joining Manchester United is very powerful," and the evidence is there.

Robson notes that United players Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger are third and fourth highest shirt-sellers respectively with retailer Kitbag—the latter climbing 27 places in the summer upon signing for the Red Devils.

The report indicates that seventh-placed Neymar will hope to join the Portuguese superstar and Lionel Messi in the top-ranked spots, and that is something United "can exploit," while similarly, Ronaldo's desire to leapfrog Messi into first could tempt him into rejoining his old club.

Ronaldo has recorded 13 goals in all competitions this season, but his struggles to live up to his usual standard and his failure to net in 10 of his 17 appearances has seen talk emerge in some quarters that the forward is in decline.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez is one such voice, and he expects the 30-year-old to leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season:

Nevertheless, Hernandez concedes he has "a hundred or two hundred goals in him." Further, Ronaldo remains one of the global icons of the sport, and if he should return to United—where he is already beloved—his capture would have a significant commercial impact and equally improve the team.

Meanwhile, Neymar is perhaps the fastest rising star in the world. Squawka Football illustrates why:

Indeed, Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez believes the Brazilian is second to only Messi now:

Neymar may not quite have Ronaldo's status just yet, but thanks to his youth, he has far more room to grow on and off the pitch and, of course, would be a longer-term acquisition.

United might also try a similar strategy with Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels as, according to German newspaper Bild (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror), the defender "is set to hand in a transfer request at the end of the season" while United renew their interest.

Hummels is an exceptional defender and would be a strong signing, but the real test of their new strategy is their ability to land a real superstar at the level of those already mentioned.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Both Neymar and Ronaldo would be a significant coup for United, but the club's commercial and financial status make their capture of one of them as likely as it may ever be.

Of the two, Ronaldo seems the far more likely candidate given his affinity for the club and the turmoil engulfing Real Madrid, as well as the "father-like relationship" enjoyed by ambassador and former manager Sir Alex Ferguson with him, according to Bruce Archer of the Express.

Neymar would be considerably more difficult to land as his situation at Barcelona offers a stark contrast to Ronaldo's at Madrid, particularly as he appears to see Messi as his friend and team-mate rather than a rival to be surpassed.

Still, with the staggering amount of money in football increasing all the time and the growing importance being placed on commercial concerns by both clubs and players at the top of the game, sensational moves like the 23-year-old heading to Old Trafford are no longer inconceivable.