Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to make stunning Manchester United return for a third time
Cristiano Ronaldo has been backed to make a shock return to Manchester United in the future, despite leaving in bitter circumstances nearly two years ago.
That's according to Ronaldo's former teammate Louis Saha. The pair played together at Old Trafford for four years, and the former striker is convinced he knows why Ronaldo would make a return but not as a player.
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"Cristiano Ronaldo has the passion and dedication to return to Manchester United one day, that could be as a coach or even a manager," Saha told .
"His second spell didn’t end how everyone had hoped and you can see why that frustrated him.
"He didn’t see the same formula and didn’t see the passion from young players that he had been used to seeing.
"Now he will know that he needs to find a new way to communicate when he becomes a coach, which maybe isn’t as harsh or direct as it was when he was at the club.
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"He will work out how to be successful and use all his knowledge to do that, we’ve seen Roy Keane go into management and have success.
"Cristiano will understand what he needs to do as a manager and I see no reason why he wouldn’t be a success."
Ronaldo has revealed in the past that he won't go into coaching. Speaking in 2019, while still at Juventus, he detailed his lack of interest to end up in the dugout, though didn't appear to fully close the door.
"Right now, I'm not interested in becoming a coach, but maybe one day I will be bored and I will feel like it," he told DAZN Italy. "Never say never."
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Ronaldo first signed for Man United in 2003 for just £12m and went on to become one of the world's best players.
He won three Premier Leagues, the Champions League and his first Ballon d'Or before joining Real Madrid in a world record transfer.
Cristiano Ronaldo's career honours
- Premier League (x3): 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09
- UEFA Champions League (x5): 2007/08, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
- UEFA Champions League top scorer (x7): 2007/08, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
- FIFA Ballon d'Or (x5): 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
- Premier League Player of the Season (x2): 2006/07, 2007/08
The Portugal superstar became a global icon in the famous white of Madrid, smashing many many records along the way.
He would later re-sign for Manchester United in 2021 from Juventus, and at first enjoyed a strong start.
During his first season, he scored 24 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions. He also reached 800 career goals after netting two in a 3–2 home league win against Arsenal in December 2021.
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Erik ten Hag's arrival at the club in 2022, to replace Ralf Rangnick, caused tension. Ronaldo was not happy with the Dutchman's use of him.
Just before the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo dropped a very controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
One of the stand-out quotes from the interview was when Ronaldo said, "I don't have respect for him because he doesn't have respect for me."
Rare footage shows Cristiano Ronaldo doing keep-ups with Portugal legend Luis Figo as he remains sat down on a chair
The interview signalled the end of his time at Old Trafford for the second time.
The 39-year-old mutually agreed to terminate his contract as he joined AL-Nassr in January 2023.
Ronaldo received the highest football salary ever, at €200 million per year.
In February 2023, Ronaldo scored his 500th career league goal in a 4–0 win over Al Wehda.
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In May this year, Ronaldo scored his 34th and 35th league goals of the season, setting a record for most goals scored in a single Saudi Pro League campaign.
He also became the first footballer to finish as top scorer in four different leagues.
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