ONE of Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Manchester United team-mates has hinted that the legendary striker could make a spectacular return to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo’s second spell at United had a sour ending as the star saw his contract terminated after a bombshell interview with Pier Morgan.

4Cristiano Ronaldo has been backed to return to Man Utd by a former team-mateCredit: AFP4Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford ended on bad termsCredit: PA

Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr, is still bagging the goals despite hurtling towards the age of 40.

And the 39-year-old veteran even confessed that he still loves the club in a recent interview with Rio Ferdinand.

But with things ending so badly during his 2022 exit and an ongoing war of words with current boss Erik ten Hag, a return to the Theatre of Dreams feels unlikely.

However, former United team-mate Wes Brown has suggested that Ronaldo could return to the Manchester club one more time to try and make amends for how things were left.

Speaking to BoyleSports, Brown backed the Portuguese powerhouse to have a final swansong in some capacity in the future.

He said: “When it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United in some capacity you can never say never.

“Obviously when he left the second time we were all disappointed because he had been one of United’s best ever players.

“It was disappointing how it ended and I think he could return to try and make amends for the sour ending.

4Former Man Utd team-mate Wes Brown has hinted that Ronaldo could return to the club for a third timeCredit: AFP

“Even in his first season back at the club he scored over 20 goals. I think the exit was a bit over the top but for him to come back in some way. I’d love it.”

Ronaldo has taken aim at the current state of Man Utd in recent weeks, suggesting that the club needs to “rebuild everything”.

While he also appeared to slam Erik ten Hag for not having the right mentality to win things at United.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo said: “As I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion.

“The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.

“[As] Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League.

“You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try.”

Ten Hag launched a spiky rebuttal to the quotes, suggesting that Ronaldo is the one saying that Man Utd aren’t good enough to compete for the biggest trophies.

He said: “He [Ronaldo] said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article very well.

Adding: “[It] doesn’t impact me, I know in the process where we are, where we’re going.”

Ten Hag and Ronaldo have history from Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford in 2022.

In fact, Ronaldo lasted less than half a season under the former Ajax boss when he played under him during his return to Man Utd.

4Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag are in the midst of a war of words