adminexecutive David Gill has been in Madrid to meet Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super-agent who represents the megastar.
Sources on Wednesday night insisted the Barclays Premier League champions are confident of securing the return of the player they sold to Real Madrid for a world record £80million in 2009.
News of Ronaldo’s return might help David Moyes, who will be the next manager of the club, to persuade the wantaway Wayne Rooney to stay.
The England international met with Sir Alex Ferguson a fortnight ago and told him that the time was right to move on.
Chelsea have emerged as favourites to sign him while Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid could also come into play.
United insist Rooney, 27, will not be sold and should the striker receive assurances that he is central to Moyes’ plans, he could yet extend his nine-year stay.
United were forced to react yesterday to rumours about Rooney’s future at the club by insisting that the England striker is “not for sale”.
United dismissed the idea, with a spokesman saying: “Wayne Rooney is not for sale.”
The player is about to enter the final two years of his contract.
Ferguson made no secret of wanting to see former World Player of the Year Ronaldo come back to Old Trafford.
When United met Madrid in the Champions League earlier this season, Ferguson said: ‘Was I tempted to bring him back? Yes. He’s still in the hamper.’
On Wednesday, in reaction to Ferguson’s decision to retire, Ronaldo tweeted: ‘Thanks for everything, Boss.’
He has a great relationship with Ferguson and sees him as a father figure.
‘When I arrived, even though I did not want it, he (Ferguson) insisted I have No 7 on my shirt,’ Ronaldo had said.
‘I was adamant that I did not want it. Then, he sat me down and told me about the history of the No 7.
He said, “Do you understand what I am trying to say to you? I think you will be worthy of wearing this shirt”. With that, I understood how much confidence he had in me.’ Ronaldo scored his 200th goal for Madrid in a 6-2 win at home to nine-man Malaga on Wednesday.
The match turned in the 21st minute when Malaga defender Sergio Sanchez was shown a straight red card for bringing Ronaldo down in the area.
Although the Portuguese had his spot kick saved by Willy Caballero, who injured himself in the process and had to be replaced by Carlos Kameni, Ronaldo netted with an indirect free kick close to goal in the 26th minute.
Rooney is about to be reunited with Moyes — his first manager in professional football — who will be confirmed on Thursday as the new United boss after meeting Everton chairman Bill Kenwright in London on Wednesday.
But Moyes will walk straight into a scrap to keep Rooney after the England striker asked Ferguson for a transfer late last month.
Frustrated with life in and out of the team at Old Trafford, Rooney suggested during a meeting in Ferguson’s office that he be allowed to leave this summer. Ferguson, it is understood, told him in no uncertain terms that he would not be sold. Chelsea are leading the race for the striker and value him at £25m — Mailonline/BBC Sport.
Online Reporter