Cristiano Ronaldo makes wish amid Manchester United transfer claims

Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a shock return to Old Trafford, according to reports in Italy.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Juventus from Real Madrid three years ago with the intention of leading the Serie A club to Champions League glory.

Despite his consistently brilliant statistics, Juventus have continued to fall short in European football’s biggest club competition and rumours have recently surfaced that the 36-year-old is looking to leave Turin.

Italian news outlet Calciomercato, via Sport Witness, are reporting that Ronaldo could even make a shock return to England with United.

The apparent deal could involve United midfielder Paul Pogba moving in the other direction, with Juventus still known admirers of the Frenchman.

United are in the market for a forward this summer but Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is understood by the Manchester Evening News to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preferred transfer target with Jadon Sancho also an option this summer.

As reported by the MEN in November, the club has laughed off suggestions Ronaldo could be a target explaining that they have ‘no plans’ to make a move for the forward in 2021.

Ronaldo is still among the most prolific marksmen in Europe.

He’s scored 77 goals in 91 Serie A appearances for Juve and has continued to extend his Champions League goal scoring record, which now stands at 134.

But he does continue to speak glowingly about United and admitted he would one day like to return to the club in an interview in 2014.

He said: “I love Manchester. Everyone knows that. Manchester is in my heart. The supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day.”