Cristiano Ronaldo Considered Manchester United Summer Return

World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he considered returning to Manchester United in the summer.

Ronaldo won the 2013 Ballon d'Or in Zurich on Monday night, the second time he was named best player on the planet after claiming the award back in 2008 as a United player.

The 28-year-old left Old Trafford for Real Madrid the following year in a world-record £80m deal but revealed Rio Ferdinand had called him in the off-season to try and convince him to return to Manchester and the Premier League.

"It was true that Rio Ferdinand spoke to me a lot to try and make me come back to United," he said afterwards.

"Rio is a great friend of mine, we played many years together at Manchester United and we were neighbours when I was there.

"He's a fantastic guy and tried to change my mind to go back to Manchester.

"I did think about United, they are still in my heart. It's a club where I played for six years, I love the club.

"I have a lot friends there and I wish them the best."