The Red Devils stalwart has paid tribute to his former team-mate and hopes the club can one day recapture a player who he rates higher than Barcelona star Lionel Messi

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo could return to the club one day.

The Portuguese scored 118 goals in 292 appearances for the Red Devils and won numerous honours before sealing a record-breaking €93 million move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

And, ahead of Ronaldo’s first return to Old Trafford since his 2009 departure, Vidic has underlined the 28-year-old’s affection for his former club.

“It would be a big ask for many reasons, but I would love to see Cristiano here. I could see it,” the 31-year-old told The Sun.

“He is a United supporter. Even though he left he still follows United and still misses the club and the environment here.

“I don’t know what atmosphere he has at Madrid, so I can’t really talk about that, but all I can say is that I enjoyed playing with him, he enjoyed it here and it will be great to see him.”

Vidic went on to claim that the Portugal international is a more rounded player than talismanic Barcelona counterpart Lionel Messi.

The Serbian added: “They are both great players but, in recent years, Barcelona have won more trophies and I think that is why people have put Ronaldo to one side.

“The way he plays, he can play in England, he can shoot with his left, his right, he can jump and head the ball. He can dribble, he can do everything.

“I don’t say Messi cannot do that but the way Barcelona play suits his style.

“Ronaldo has been changing games for the last four years for Madrid. Every time he walks on the pitch he wants to score. He has that hunger in every game.”