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29 March 2024

Man Utd transfer latest: Van Gaal clearing way for Ronaldo return

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) vies with to Elche's goalkeeper Manu Herrera (L) during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Elche CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 23, 2014. Real Madrid won the match 5-1. (AFP)

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By Football Correspondent with Agencies

Reports that some Manchester United players are unhappy with Louis Van Gaal may only play into the growing belief that CR7 will return to Old Trafford.

With an overflow of attacking talent, the belief is not everyone will be happy with a Cristiano Ronaldo comeback.

Van Gaal may well invite those who are unhappy to leave then.

After all, who will not want Ronaldo in their line-up – leaky defence or not.

Ask Carlo Ancelotti.

Real Madrid boss Ancelotti believes Cristiano Ronaldo's three-week break at the start of the season to ease knee and hamstring injuries is the reason for the Portuguese's sensational form.

Ronaldo scored four goals in a 5-1 thrashing of Elche on Wednesday to register his 25th hat-trick for the club and his second in four days after also scoring three in Real's 8-2 humiliation of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.

The Portuguese captain now has 12 goals in just eight appearances this season.

"It is clear that has helped because he needed a period of time to work with the seriousness and professionalism he has," said Ancelotti.

"At the moment he is physically in very good shape, he is very motivated and he is scoring a lot."

Ronaldo's night at the Bernadene on Tuesday hadn't gotten off to the best start as he gave away a penalty as he tried to clear inside the area and Edu Albacar fired Elche into a shock lead from the penalty spot.

"Although I complained to the referee, it was a penalty. I have to admit it," said Ronaldo.

"I didn't expect it. It all went very quickly, but the referee made the right decision."

Madrid were only behind for five minutes, though, as Gareth Bale headed home his fourth goal of the campaign before Ronaldo put the hosts in front with a penalty of his own.

Ronaldo doubled his tally for the evening with a towering header to make it 3-1 and added two more goals in the final 10 minutes as he dispatched a second penalty before slotting home from Bale's fine through ball.

"To score four goals is very difficult. I thank my teammates for passing me the ball to be able to score.

"It was a very good game for us.

“We started a little badly, I gave away the penalty, but we responded well with two quick goals."