Cristiano Ronaldo is gearing up for a possible return to England, and it could be at Old Trafford.
According to a report from Daily Mirror, Football Association officials have already held discussions with Portugal to stage a friendly ahead of the Euro 2016.
A Portuguese FA source also confirmed that negotiations between the two associations had taken place, and despite contracts still to be signed they are interested in facing England which means former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo would be the biggest attraction in one of England’s three pre-Euro friendlies.
The FA is well aware that Real Madrid’s Portuguese superstar Ronaldo would be a huge attraction among the crowd and also guarantee a popular sell-out.
The Portuguese superstar is also expected to play in Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney’s testimonial match this year. The match, believed to be organised against Rooney’s boyhood club Everton on August 3, will be seen as the curtain-raiser for the 2016-17 season.
Former United star Ronaldo left Old Trafford for Spanish giants Real Madrid back in 2009, for a world record £80 million fee at that time. With the Red Devils Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, following a sensational transfer from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and eventually became Sir Alex Ferguson’s one of the most successful signings. The Portuguese superstar has often talked about his desire to go back to Manchester United and he has been linked with United for the past 3-4 transfer windows.
Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson is looking forward to three pre-Euro 2016 matches that will take place at Wembley, Old Trafford and in the North East.
Sources close to FA have ignited another rumour that there is a good chance of facing Argentina also Lionel Messi in one of the other two friendlies.
Hodgson will be back to work at FA headquarters in the coming week when they will start planning on nailing down opposing teams and dates.
The only doubt with Portugal, and why the friendly has yet to be finalised, is that they have also qualified for Euro 2016 and both countries actually want to make sure the pre-Euro games are well suited to opponents for the competition to be held in France.
The Three Lions boss Hodgson has already admitted that the friendlies they played before the last World Cup actually backfired and didn’t give England the preparation they needed.
Hodgson is desperate to get the things right this time and the tour around the country may prove popular to give the England players a big boost before the ultimate showdown.