Van Gaal lays down marker for Ronaldo to return to Man United

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has left the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo to make a sensational return to Old Trafford.

The Portuguese forward left England for Real Madrid in 2009, but rumours have picked up pace over the past few months that he would be prepared to move back to United after growing fed up with certain situations in the Spanish capital.

And speaking ahead of his side's match with Leicester City this weekend, Van Gaal, when pushed on the matter, suggested the transfer could happen.

"Yes [it is possible]," he claimed. "But it's always a discussion in the papers, and I don't think the media shall buy Ronaldo.”

Can United still lure the best players to the club, though?

"It's possible,” Van Gaal again said. “That's what I have said with [Radamel] Falcao. Players like Ronaldo give a lot of extra to a team, but I don't think Real Madrid shall sell him."

Reports have suggested Ronaldo is unhappy with the sales of Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria, but the 29-year-old is only one year into a five-year deal at Madrid, making any potential move extrememly expensive.