Van Gaal wants to sign Ronaldo, but doesn't expect Real to sell

Manchester United football team manager Louis van Gaal would reportedly like to sign Real Madrid's ace striker Cristiano Ronaldo, but he does not expect the Spanish giants to sell.

Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Old Trafford, having left in 2009 for a then world record 80 million pounds fee.

Van Gaal said that it is possible that he might re-sign the Portugal international forward, adding that players like Ronaldo give a lot of extra to a team, but he does not think Real shall sell him, The BBC reported.

Ronaldo, the world footballer of the year, helped Real become champions of Europe for the 10th time last May. Former Real president Ramon Calderon claimed Ronaldo was fed up at the club's decision to sell a number of their top players, including Angel Di Maria's 59.7 million pounds departure to United.

The forward won eight major trophies in six years at Old Trafford under then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Van Gaal also said that he could bring Ronaldo back to United, but added that it is always a discussion in the papers, and he does not think the media shall buy the forward.

Ronaldo hinted last month that he would be interested in returning to Old Trafford, saying that he loves United and one never knows in football.