Cristiano Ronaldo might be 32 and might cost a world-record fee... but Manchester United should get him on a plane and bring him back to Old Trafford this summer

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Real Madrid could be set to lose Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, after it emerged that the superstar is keen to leave Spain.

The news has put several clubs on red alert, including his former side Manchester United.

Here, Red Devils fan SAM PEOPLES of The Peoples Person blog pens his thoughts about the potential return of Ronaldo...

Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be ready to quit Real Madrid after becoming unhappy in Spain

There have been reports linking Ronaldo with a move back to former club Manchester United

Manchester United fans have built up a natural protection against rumours linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a return to Old Trafford. Every year I tell myself not to get caught up in them, every year I fail miserably and 2017 is no different.

With reports from the press all around Europe that Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid following tax fraud accusations, Man United are inevitably being linked with a move and I can't lie - I'd absolutely love to see it happen.

Yes, Ronaldo is 32. Yes, Man United would have to pay a world record transfer fee. Yes, we could sign two or three top-drawer players for the same price as Ronaldo. 

From a logical perspective there are a lot of reasons why United shouldn't move for him but all of these points are irrelevant. It's Ronaldo. If there is even the slightest chance United could re-sign him then I hope Ed Woodward does everything in his power to make it happen.

Why wouldn't any United fan want to see the club sign the best player in the world and one who already has a spot in our hearts for what he did for United before joining Real Madrid? I'd take him back in a heartbeat.

That 2007-8 season will always go down as one of my favourites as a United fan and that's largely due to how good Ronaldo was during a campaign when scored 42 goals. To have him back at the club next season under Jose Mourinho in this new look United side? It would be magical.

Ronaldo is still highly thought-of at Old Trafford despite leaving several years ago

Ignoring the fact Ronaldo played for us previously and there are such romantic ties with a potential move, Ronaldo is the exact type of player United need right now. A natural finisher, somebody who can guarantee goals, somebody who will spearhead our attack. He's the absolute best at it. 

More than 50 goals in seven consecutive seasons at Real Madrid... he scores goals for fun and United need a goalscorer. On paper, there's nobody more suited to our needs than Ronaldo - it's just that nobody thought it possible he could ever be signed.

Is it likely to happen? The realist in me says no. The United rumours could be nothing more than a PR move by Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes to divert attention away from accusations of tax fraud and over the last few days there's not been a peep about it amid the United links.

However, the romantic in me says this feels different. Ronaldo already signed a new contract in November 2016 and doesn't need to negotiate a new deal, this really can be the end for Ronaldo's loan spell at Real Madrid and the summer when he comes home to Old Trafford. 

It's impossible not to get excited about the thought of Ronaldo being back at the club and that's why I don't expect these rumours to go away.

United fan Sam Peoples wants his clubs to pull out all the stops to sign the forward

Many a time over the years Real Madrid have taken United's best players and we've been left empty handed. For the first time I can remember, the shoe is on the other foot. 

Real Madrid aren't getting David de Gea and we're pushing for Alvaro Morata but it's the Ronaldo rumours which are gripping everybody now and if Woodward somehow manages to bring the world's best player back to Old Trafford next year, then it's all systems go for this United revival under Mourinho.

Put him on a plane and bring him back from Spain. Viva Ronaldo.