Could Cristiano Ronaldo Actually Return to Manchester United? Here’s What We Know

Let’s be honest—when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United, we’ve all been down this road before. The Portuguese superstar has had two stints at Old Trafford, and now former teammate Wes Brown is suggesting a third could be on the cards. But hold your horses, United fans—this isn’t about lacing up boots again.

Brown’s throwing around the idea that Ronaldo could waltz back into Old Trafford, but this time in a suit rather than soccer cleats. We’re talking boardroom, not pitch. Executive level stuff. And honestly? It’s not the craziest thing we’ve heard in football.

Ronaldo’s Current Saudi Adventure Shows No Signs of Slowing

Here’s the thing that makes Brown’s suggestion both intriguing and slightly premature: Ronaldo is absolutely crushing it in Saudi Arabia right now. The 40-year-old is still “banging them in” for Al Nassr, as Brown puts it, and shows zero signs of hanging up his boots anytime soon.

Last season, Ronaldo netted an impressive 35 goals, and he’s already got five in six matches this campaign. For a player who’s supposedly winding down his career, those numbers are pretty ridiculous. The man’s practically defying Father Time at this point.

Brown makes a fair point though—Ronaldo’s future beyond playing is completely up in the air. “You never know what Cristiano Ronaldo wants to do, but you can’t doubt him after everything he’s achieved,” the former United defender told 10Bet Casino.

The Executive Route Makes More Sense Than You’d Think

Look, we all know Ronaldo isn’t exactly the coaching type. The guy’s already made it crystal clear that he has zero interest in becoming a manager. At recent awards ceremonies, he’s been pretty blunt about it: “I’m not a coach. I’m never going to be a coach.”

But ownership? That’s a different story entirely. Ronaldo’s already hinted that owning a club appeals to him way more than coaching one. “Maybe owner of the club,” he said when asked about his post-playing career plans.

And let’s be real here—the man knows a thing or two about what makes a successful football operation. He’s played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, worked under legendary managers, and has firsthand experience of what works and what doesn’t.

Manchester United’s Current Mess Could Use Some Star Power

United’s ownership situation has been messier than a Sunday league dressing room after a cup final. The Glazers remain unpopular, and there’s constant speculation about potential takeovers and new investors.

Enter Ronaldo, who recently became football’s first billionaire. The financial muscle is there, and his connection to the club runs deeper than most potential investors. Plus, he’s never been shy about sharing his opinions on how United should be run.

Remember his controversial comments about the club being like “an aquarium” with systemic problems? “The problem is not always the coach. It’s much more than that,” Ronaldo said. “If I will be the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust what I think is bad there.”

Those weren’t just throwaway comments from a frustrated former player—they sounded like someone who’s genuinely thought about how he’d do things differently.

The Saudi Connection Could Complicate Things

Here’s where it gets interesting (and potentially messy). There’s growing speculation about Saudi Arabian investment in football, with figures like Turki Alsheikh reportedly eyeing various clubs. Alsheikh recently tweeted about United being “in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor.”

Could Ronaldo be part of a Saudi-backed consortium looking at United? It’s not impossible. He’s got the connections, the financial backing through his Saudi relationships, and the emotional investment in the club’s success.

Would United Fans Actually Want Him Back?

This is where things get complicated. Ronaldo’s second departure from United wasn’t exactly a fairy tale ending. The whole Erik ten Hag situation, the controversial Piers Morgan interview, the contract termination—it left a pretty bitter taste.

But here’s the thing about United fans: they have short memories when it comes to their heroes. And let’s face it, Ronaldo is still regarded as a legend by most of the Old Trafford faithful. Brown seems confident that “there are no hard feelings on either side at this point” and that “the supporters will know that the way it ended wasn’t great, but even in that second spell, he scored goals.”

The Timing Could Actually Work

With Ruben Amorim coming in as the new manager, there’s a fresh start atmosphere at United. Amorim and Ronaldo are former Portugal teammates, which could help smooth over any lingering tensions from the ten Hag era.

Plus, United desperately needs some positive PR and excitement around the club. Having Ronaldo involved in an ownership capacity would certainly generate headlines and potentially attract other high-profile investors.

Reality Check: It’s Still a Long Shot