Those ManU fans who actually believed ManU could/would be able to buy/entice him back had to be pretty much delusional
Not really.
United could afford Ronaldo, all the money they're raking in from new sponsorship deals and the continually strong revenue from things like merchandising has reduced the debt by a huge amount and they can theoretically compete with just about anyone financially especially with Nike and GM being willing to contribute their considerable resources to assist in big signings.
The idea that United can't afford big fees is a myth.
Ronaldo clearly has some affection for the club and always will. Fergie made him the player he ultimately became and unlike the fickle Madrid fans the United support really took him to their hearts.
Look at his demeanor and reaction to both his goals in the CL games....a player that's normally so cocky was massively subdued, he even went over to the United fans after the one at Old Trafford and APOLOGISED.
Would he have behaved like that if he hated the place and was glad to get out of there? Of course not.
So any suggestion that he won't have at least thought about a return is laughable.
United are also a lot more stable off the pitch than Madrid which seems to be as much a cause of Ronaldo's issue with Real as anything else.
So a return to a saner working environment would have some appeal.
I think Ferguson's retirement is what really put paid to it.
Ronaldo might still love the place but would be reluctant to risk the remaining good years of his career under the guidance of a nobody like Moyes.
