LOUIS VAN GAAL would be interested in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, but the Manchester United manager does not think Real Madrid are willing to sell him.

Speculation that Ronaldo is interested in a return to United increased this week when former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claimed the Portuguese superstar was "fed up" at the club's decision to sell a number of players, including Angel di Maria, who is now playing under Van Gaal at Old Trafford.

The United manager did little to quash those rumours at his pre-match press conference yesterday.

When asked whether he could bring Ronaldo back to United, where he enjoyed six successful years, Van Gaal said: "Yes, but it's always a discussion in the papers, and I don't think the media shall buy Ronaldo."

When pushed on the matter again, the United manager said: "It is possible.

"That's what I have said with Falcao. Players like Ronaldo give a lot of extra to a team, but I don't think Real Madrid shall sell him."

Ronaldo won eight major trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson before moving to the Bernabeu five years ago in a then world-record £80million transfer.

The current world player of the year, now 29, hinted last month he would be interested in moving back to his former club.

"I love Manchester and you never know in football. Of course, I'm happy at Real Madrid.

"It's my home, it's my club, but United treated me unbelievably, so you never know," Ronaldo told MUTV before United played Real Madrid during their tour of the United States of America.

"I am still in contact with some people there because I had a good relationship with everybody - it was like my second family."