Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United: Gareth Bale wants Ronaldo to stay at Real Madrid

The Ballon d'Or holder has been linked with a return to Old Trafford

Cristiano Ronaldo (GETTY IMAGES)

Gareth Bale has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Real Madrid amid speculation surrounding a return to Manchester United.

The Ballon d'Or holder has been heavily linked with a return to the club at which he spent six-years and established himself as one of the best players in the world.

He left Old Trafford in 2009 in an £80m deal and has since gone on to establish himself as the best on the planet with a remarkable record of 269 goals in 257 appearances.

Despite arguably playing the best football of his career, Ronaldo recently suggested he would be open to a return to Manchester United "one day". Louis van Gaal in response said he would be interested in signing the 29-year-old, claiming a deal "is possible".

The latest reports however suggest Manchester United would struggle to put together a financial package that could prise the Portugal international away from the Bernabeu. That's a situation that will please Bale.

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate during Real Madrid's 5-1 win over Basel (GETTY IMAGES)

"He's obviously a player we wouldn't want to see leave," Bale told reporters on Wednesday. "Of course I want to see him stay at Real Madrid.

"He's shown what a world-class player he is year after year scoring the goals he has."

Ironically, Bale has perhaps the most to gain from Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid. The departure of Ronaldo would establish the Welshman as the most prominent player at Real Madrid, rather than the keeping him in the second-fiddle role he has played since joining the Spanish side from Tottenham.