Exclusive - Neville: Cristiano Ronaldo rejoining Manchester United would be great for British football

Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes that Cristiano Ronaldo would be welcomed back to the Premier League with open arms if he were to rejoin the club.

The Portuguese ace left the Red Devils in 2009 for Real Madrid following six success laden years at Old Trafford and he has gone on to become one of the world’s best players at the Bernabeu.

While many players who leave Man United are unlikely ever to return, Neville reckons that re-signing the 28-year-old is a possibility thanks to the strong ties he built during his first spell with the club.

And he thinks it is a move that will even delight fans of other Premier League sides.

Neville told Matchday Live: “The rumours are growing around Manchester from the fans because he left in [exceptional] circumstances. Not many players would leave United and say they wanted to leave United and still get such a great reception, but they always recognised it was his dream to play at Real Madrid.

“There is no secret to the fact that he misses the security, the stability and the friendships that he had in Manchester and the reception he got the other night was special for him.

“Forget Manchester United, I think, from a British football point of view, having Ronaldo back in the Premier League would be a great result for everybody because to watch him week in, week out, would be a pleasure.”