London: Former Manchester United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo has given his approval to the club’s signing of Radamel Falcao and reiterated his desire to return to Old Trafford one day.
United signed Colombia striker Falcao from Monaco on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day and will be able to make the deal permanent next year for a fee of around €55 million (Dh262.8 million).
Several observers questioned the move for Falcao at a time when United are bereft of experienced players in central defence, but Ronaldo believes it was a good piece of business.
“He is a very good player. I think United did very well,” the Portugal captain said in an interview published in Thursday’s edition of the Daily Telegraph.
“I don’t think it is wrong. He will be a fantastic buy. United have not started well, with only two points from three games, so they need quality players. And Falcao is a quality player.”
Ronaldo fulfilled his ambition of winning the Champions League with Real Madrid last season, but he says that he still carries a torch for United, the club he left in 2009.
“I love Manchester. Everyone knows that. Manchester is in my heart,” said the 29-year-old. “I left many good friends there, the supporters are amazing, and I wish I can come back one day.”
Ronaldo set a new Champions League scoring record with 17 goals last season and wrested the FIFA Ballon d’Or away from eternal rival Lionel Messi.
Having finished the campaign with 51 goals from 47 games, his overall goalscoring record with Madrid now stands at 255 goals in 250 games, but for all his achievements, he believes that he can still go even higher.
“Well, it was a fantastic year. We won the Champions League, we won La Decima, the trophy that Real Madrid had been looking for a lot,” he said.
“So this season we’re going to try to do the same, to win the Champions League again, to win La Liga. And in terms of individual achievements, I’m going to try to break my own records. I know it’s tough, but I’m going to try.”
