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LONDON. — Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United are a shadow of the all-conquering outfit they were under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Real Madrid superstar (30) has refused to rule out a return to Old Trafford even though he is unimpressed by the style of play under new boss Louis van Gaal.
Ronaldo told the BBC : “Manchester is not the same as the Manchester of six years ago. This is a fact. It’s true. For me it’s hard to see that.
“Because it’s a club that I love and of course I want to see Manchester United at a level that it was in the past.”
Ronaldo’s comments come in a week that the Red Devils’ style of play under Louis van Gaal was heavily criticised by another legend, Paul Scholes.
Ronaldo quit United for Real Madrid in 2009 — after the Reds had won a third-consecutive Premier League title — for a then-world record £80million transfer fee.
Since then they have finished on top only twice in the last six years and are no longer the force they were under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Many great players have retired — for example Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville.
“I moved to Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson is gone and the structure has changed in my opinion.
“I like to see the clubs that I love at the top and I think Manchester this season is better but they still have work to do to be at a level of six, seven years ago.”
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent expects him to finish his career at Real Madrid, seemingly ruling out a return to Manchester United.
It has been reported by a number of national newspapers that Ronaldo’s former club are keen to re-sign the 30-year-old and could make an approach next summer.
Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, writing in his recent biography of the Portugal star, believes Ronaldo still dreams of a return to Old Trafford.
And French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also reported to be lining up a potential deal. — AFP.
Online Reporter