Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he 'hopes' former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

Ronaldo, 32, appears to be heading for the Los Blancos exit this summer following a high-profile tax dispute, and Man United have been strongly linked with their former superstar.

Ferdinand played alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009, with the pair helping the Red Devils land three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the Champions League.

Ferdinand has since retired from professional football, but Ronaldo continues to break records for Real Madrid, with his 42 goals last season helping the Spanish giants retain the Champions League, in addition to snatching the La Liga title away from Barcelona.

Ferdinand told the Manchester Evening News:

"I hope [he'll return]. I'm a Man United fan, and my kids love him, so I hope that he'll be back. But will he leave Real Madrid? I don't know."

Ronaldo has scored 406 goals in 394 appearances for Real Madrid since joining the Madrid giants from Man United in the summer of 2009.

Meanwhile, the Portugal captain found the back of the net on 118 occasions during a six-season spell with Man United, where he remains a hero with the club's supporters.

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