Louis van Gaal steps up his chase to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United

Spit out your tea - or whatever your tipple is this morning - because Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United is a thing.

Reports this morning are that Real Madrid's three-time Ballon d'Or winner is being courted by his old club in a bid to bring his services back to Old Trafford and that United are willing to spend a club record fee to seal the deal. Well, what did they really think they would have to spend? Ronaldo, 30, has now spent six seasons away from United - the same place he spent six seasons - and Louis van Gaal did tell us that they could be signing a surprise striker before the transfer window closes. The Manchester Evening News are reporting that United are intensifying their interest in the Portuguese superstar and, despite having splashed the cash already on Depay, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Darmian, they're ready to break the bank to get their man. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has been taking the piss in Real Madrid training, scoring rabona volleys now - just for the craic. https://twitter.com/SocialRMadrid/status/624326908713369600