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Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United: Louis van Gaal confirms United are looking into Ronaldo reunion

Ronaldo left United to join Real for £80m in 2009

Sunday 22 November 2015 12:48 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during Barcelona's 4-0 win over Real Madrid (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal has given the clearest indication yet that he wants to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United.

Former United favourite Ronaldo left the club for Real Madrid in 2009, for a then world record fee of £80million.

He has since become the Spanish club's all-time record goalscorer, but suggestions have persisted that he would be one day open to returning to United.

Ronaldo turns 31 in February, and had an off-key game against Barcelona on Saturday night as Real lost 4-0 at the Bernabeu to their great rivals.

Van Gaal, quoted by several newspapers today, said of possible future transfer activity: "We are looking at all players, not just Ronaldo. But these players are mostly ungettable.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Show all 22

1/22Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Keylor Navas – 5 out of 10

Hardly at fault for Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta’s goals, but will have been disappointed to have let Neymar’s shot slip under his legs.

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Danilo – 5 out of 10

Up against Neymar and came second-best every time.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Raphael Varane – 4 out of 10

Unusually uneasy. The member of Madrid’s defence who was most often exposed.

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Sergio Ramos – 5 out of 10

Unable to marshal his defence effectively early on, which put Madrid firmly on the back foot.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Marcelo – 6 out of 10

Offered a decent outlet on the left hand side but was as culpable for defensive frailties.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Toni Kroos – 5 out of 10

Failed to stem the tide of Catalan shirts cascading towards him.

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

James Rodriguez – 6 out of 10

Tested Bravo twice and was lively at times but looked uncomfortable on the right-hand side of a 4-4-2.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Luka Modric – 6 out of 10

Did not exert the kind of influence he usually has.

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Gareth Bale – 4 out of 10

Ineffective, bordering on invisible. Looked a shadow of the devastating player he was at White Hart Lane.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Karim Benzema – 4 out of 10

With all his off-the-field problems and lack of match fitness, unsurprisingly looked off the boil. The French striker did nothing to justify his contentious selection.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Cristiano Ronaldo – 6 out of 10

Typically, one of his side’s better performers, but lucky not to be sent off for a snide elbow on Dani Alves.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Claudio Bravo – 9 out of 10

The scoreline should not suggest that the Chilean had a quiet evening. Madrid, as bad as they were, created opportunities but found Bravo pulling off top class saves every time.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Dani Alves – 7 out of 10

No major errors except, perhaps, hauling Cristiano Ronaldo down in the box needlessly during the first half. He avoided conceding a penalty but earned an elbow from Ronaldo.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Gerard Piqué – 8 out of 10

Received dog’s abuse from the Bernabeu, as expected, but dealt with them effortlessly and handled Madrid’s attacking play in the same way.

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Javier Mascherano – 6 out of 10

Substituted early on after going down injured. Replace by Jeremy Mathieu.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Jordi Alba – 8 out of 10

His performance will be overlooked but barely put a foot wrong.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Ivan Rakitic – 7 out of 10

Did well considering his inclusion was in doubt.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Sergio Busquets – 8 out of 10

Composed, controlled, denied Madrid time and again. As good as we’ve come to expect.

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Andres Iniesta – 9 out of 10

In the autumn of his career, no doubt, but still capable of stunning moments. Received an ovation from the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Sergi Roberto – 9 out of 10

Lionel who? The man seen as Messi’s stand-in may not be quite at the Argentinian’s level yet, but tonight he filled his shoes and then some. Electric in the first half.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Luis Suárez – 9 out of 10

The man most likely to dismantle any defence in European football and, by virtue of his two goals, tonight’s man of the match.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings

Neymar – 9 out of 10

Sublime, again. His late claim for the Ballon D’Or is gathering pace.

"With Ronaldo, let's wait and hope. There is no trainer in the world that doesn't like him."

Ronaldo won three Premier League titles while at United, who he joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, becoming one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most successful signings. He has been Fifa's world player of the year on three occasions.

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