Fabio Capello's prediction about Cristiano Ronaldo's future will thrill Man United fans Fabio Capello thinks it is inevitable that Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Manchester United. It now seems like Ronaldo is linked with a sensational move back to Old Trafford every time that the transfer window opens and, more often than not, it's simply ended with an improved contract for the Real Madrid talisman. Advertisement Ronaldo is fast running out of challenges with the La Liga giants, after lifting his third consecutive Champions League trophy, and ex-Real Madrid manager Capello anticipates a scenario in which the reigning Ballon d'Or holder pushes for a return to United. "Cristiano Ronaldo's future with Real Madrid? Cristiano wants to return to Manchester United alongside Mourinho," Capello told Sky Sports Italy. "I think he will eventually leave Madrid to go back to England. When? This I don't know." Question-marks remain over the current Real squad after Zinedine Zidane's shock decision to resign from his post as manager on Thursday afternoon. Zidane walked away from his role after less than three years at the Bernabeu helm but Capello, who managed Real Madrid on two occasions, has claimed that the Frenchman was dangerously close to being sacked before last weekend's Champions League triumph. "This was Zidane's choice and I think it was the right one," Capello said. "He knew that Florentino would've sacked him if it wasn't for that third straight UCL win. It was a matter of time. I was sacked from Real Madrid after a successful season... . I think Zizou made the right call." Advertisement In terms of potential successors, Arsene Wenger was an early favourite to take over at Real but Capello has also admitted that Spurs' Mauricio Pochettino remains a potential candidate as club president Florentino Perez aims to make an impact. "What about Pochettino? Yes he could also be an option but let's see," Capello said. "If Ronaldo leaves Madrid, Real will have to replace him. Lewandowski could be an option. Benzema's future? He is on Florentino's good list. He got rid of Higuain to keep the French man. I don't think he will sell him. Let's not forget, it's Florentino who makes the calls...".<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Ronaldo put his own future into doubt following Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool last weekend. The Portuguese star said: “In the next few days I will give an answer to the fans that have always been on my side. "It was very nice to be at Real Madrid, in the coming days I will talk about it more." That put United on red alert with Jose Mourinho rumoured to be keen to bring the forward back to Old Trafford.<doc-sep>Capello: "Ronaldo? He will leave Real Madrid as he wants to join Manchester United.." Ex-Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello spoke to Sky Sport 24 about Zidane's farewell and Ronaldo's future with the club, here is what he had to say on the matter: "This was Zidane's choice and I think it was the right one. He knew that Florentino would've sacked him if it wasn't for that third straight UCL win. It was a matter of time. I was sacked from Real Madrid after a successful season... . I think Zizou made the right call. Cristiano Ronaldo's future with Real Madrid? Cristiano wants to return to Manchester United alongside Mourinho. I think he will eventually leave Madrid to go back to England. When? This I don't know. Zidane's replacement? I think it could be Guti. There is only one top coach available and that's Conte. Sarri too is free but for how long?... ". "What about Pochettino? Yes he could also be an option let's see. If Ronaldo leaves Madrid, Real will have to replace him. Lewandowski could be an option. Benzema's future? He is on Florentino's good list. He got rid of Higuain to keep the French man. I don't think he will sell him. Let's not forget, it's Florentino who makes the calls...".<doc-sep>The Portuguese superstar has hinted at a summer move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with a second stint at Old Trafford now being mooted Cristiano Ronaldo wants to play for Jose Mourinho and would welcome a return to Manchester United, claims former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello. The Portuguese superstar has sparked a fresh round of transfer rumours with his comments in the wake of another Champions League triumph. Ronaldo has offered mixed messages when it comes to his future, with the promise to offer further clarity on his plans in “the next few days” followed by a declaration to Madrid fans during a trophy parade in the Spanish capital that he would see them “next year”. As uncertainty reins at the Santiago Bernabeu, it could be that the 33-year-old soon follows departed manager Zinedine Zidane through the exits. If he is to do so, then a second stint at Old Trafford has been mooted, with Ronaldo’s mother having revealed that she would prefer her soon to head back to England than take on a new challenge in France with Paris Saint-Germain. Capello believes a deal could be done this summer, telling Sky Sport Italia: “I think that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to go back to Manchester, to play for United and being coached by his compatriot Mourinho.” The former Madrid and England boss has also suggested that the Blancos could rekindle their interest in Bayern Munich’s prolific frontman Robert Lewandowski if they are to part with Ronaldo. The Italian added: “Real Madrid would need to recover from Ronaldo's loss in terms of goals scored. The only available name at the moment is Robert Lewandowski. Article continues below “[Karim] Benzema might stay, [Florentino] Perez is still a big fan of him.” While Lewandowski would be one option to fill Ronaldo’s boots in Spain, it has been widely reported that PSG star Neymar will be Madrid’s top target if they are forced into the market for attacking reinforcements. He has been distanced from a move at regular intervals, but a record-breaking bid for the Brazilian could return him to La Liga a year on from leaving Barcelona in a €222 million deal.<doc-sep>
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times at Real Madrid (Picture: Getty) Former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello believes Cristiano Ronaldo wants to return to Manchester United. Ronaldo, 33, hinted at a potential summer move after Real Madrid secured their third consecutive Champions League last month, claiming that ‘it has been very nice’ to be at the club. Zinedine Zidane’s departure earlier this week has cast yet more doubt on Ronaldo’s future, but Florentino Perez is confident that the Portugal forward will remain at the Bernabeu for the 2018/19 campaign. Ronaldo, who won nine trophies with United from 2003 to 2009, has hinted at a return to Old Trafford in the past and Capello has claimed that a move could be on the cards. ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with Real Madrid? Cristiano wants to return to Manchester United alongside Mourinho,’ the former Madrid and England manager told Sky Sport 24. ‘I think he will eventually leave Madrid to go back to England. When? This I don’t know.’ Has Cristiano Ronaldo played his last match for Real Madrid? (Picture: Getty) ‘If Ronaldo leaves Madrid, Real will have to replace him. [Robert] Lewandowski could be an option. ‘[Karim] Benzema’s future? He is on Florentino’s good list. He got rid of [Gonzaol] Higuain to keep the Frenchman. I don’t think he will sell him. Let’s not forget, it’s Florentino who makes the calls.’ Fabio Capello managed Real Madrid from 2006 to 2007 (Picture: Getty) Capello believes that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino could be on Madrid’s shortlist to replace Zidane. ‘Zidane’s replacement? I think it could be Guti. There is only one top coach available and that’s [Antonio] Conte,’ he said. ‘[Maurizio] Sarri too is free but for how long? ‘What about Pochettino? Yes he could also be an option let’s see.’ MORE : Zinedine Zidane to call Cristiano Ronaldo and offer advice amid Manchester United rumours