Cristiano Ronaldo braced for an 'emotional return to Old Trafford'

Manchester United are in a good position after Danny Welbeck landed his side an away goal, but the Red Devils still have a difficult fixture at Old Trafford

Cristiano Ronaldo is braced for an emotional return to Old Trafford after Manchester United held Real Madrid to a draw at the Bernabeu last night.

The Madrid forward, speaking after his side’s 1-1 draw with United, explained how difficult the situation was for him.

"To play against Manchester was hard, especially for me, but I just tried to be professional and tried to do my best," the Portuguese international told MUTV after the final whistle.

"I didn't celebrate because I played in Manchester for six years and it was very emotional for me,” he said. “I just tried to do my best, to play for Madrid, to score goals, but I didn't commemorate because I think it's not fair, not respect if I commemorate."

Danny Welbeck’s opening goal for United will certainly count in their favour as a result of the away goal rule and Ronaldo seemed unsure as to his side’s chances of progression in the Champions League.

"You know in football many things can happen. Maybe yes, maybe no. We're going to play away. It will be a big game and let's see what's going to happen.

"It will be amazing to play there after four years and it will be another emotional game.”

The 28-year-old spent six years dazzling the fans at Old Trafford and was seen being acting humbly toward his former teammates before and during the first leg of the Champions League fixture.

The Ballon d'Or runner up was seen arm-in-arm with Sir Alex Ferguson and joined former team-mates in the Manchester United dressing room after the match.

Ronaldo joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 for a fee of €15m (£12.7m) and was duly sold to Madrid for a world-record fee of €93.9 (£80m) and subsequently became the most expensive football player in history.