KEY POINTS

  • Cristiano Ronaldo's possible return to Manchester United intensifies
  • Man United's major sponsor Chevrolet decides to help fund Ronaldo's transfer
  • Juventus is not willing to let Ronaldo go anytime soon

After being linked to a transfer swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo this season, Manchester United is now reportedly handed a financial backing in its attempt to bring back the club’s former talisman.

Ronaldo spent six years of his illustrious career with Manchester United. In 2009, he made a blockbuster move to Real Madrid.

Now 11 years after Ronaldo’s departure, recent reports state that the Red Devils are looking to reunite with the Portuguese star.

Things have not progressed between Manchester United and Ronaldo in recent weeks. However, a major development is bound to happen as the club’s major sponsor Chevrolet has decided to help in funding the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s return to Old Trafford, Portuguese outlet Auto Esporte reported.

The report further noted that Chevrolet promises “to pay” for the expenses of Ronaldo’s transfer from Juventus.

Aside from Manchester United, other big-name squads such as Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are also believed to be monitoring Ronaldo’s situation with the Serie A champions.

Cristiano Ronaldo last played for Juventus against Inter Milan on March 8
Cristiano Ronaldo last played for Juventus against Inter Milan on March 8 AFP / Marco Bertorello

Juventus, on the other hand, is not willing to let go of its star forward anytime soon, per its sporting director Fabio Paratici.

"His future is with us, I can assure you,” Paratici recently said of Ronaldo’s transfer. "There are transfer rumors every day and players that are linked with different clubs but we don't pay much attention to that."

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, there have been rumors about Ronaldo's return to Manchester United every year.

It was until former Red Devils star Patrice Evra revealed to the club’s official podcast earlier this year that Ferguson did plan to bring Ronaldo back and the player himself also committed to it.

“He [Ferguson] then said, 'My target is I'm 99 percent sure we will have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale,” Evra bared. “I just need these two players to win the Champions League again. Ninety-nine percent'.”

“And to be fair, when I speak with Cristiano, I ask him and he said 'yes' to the boss, and was coming to join United,” he continued. “He told me this.”

Ronaldo has had some of the best years of his career with Manchester United, winning back-to-back UEFA Champions League trophies, three English Premier League titles, and the Best FIFA World Player in 2008.