If the sulky Portuguese striker Ronaldo is really so unhappy at Real Madrid, than Sir Alex Ferguson wants him back to Manchester United.

Get Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s the unequivocal message from Alex Ferguson to his Manchester United board as he plots the return of the petulant Portuguese playmaker.

The return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford is “on the cards” in the light of his sulky antics at Real Madrid. He refused to celebrate a goal in Real’s win last weekend and subsequently said he was “sad” with his life at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo left United for Spain three years ago in a record £80m transfer and the Ferguson is sounding out Ronaldo to see if he is “serious” about wanting to walk out on Real Madrid. If Ferguson believes he is, then the canny Scot will insist to the United board that they re-sign the 27-year-old.

But would Ronaldo want to return to Old Trafford?  claims the source of his strop is Real’s refusal to renegotiate his contract so he pockets £500,000 a week. Such a salary is way beyond United’s means but Ferguson is hopeful that memories of his time at Old Trafford would persuade Ronaldo to return.

An Manchester United insider spilled the beans to the on the condition of anonymity, squealing: “It’s a transfer that would prove that United can still compete with anyone for the biggest names in football.”

Apparently Ronaldo has an £800m buy-out clause in his contract but Real president Florentino Perez is so angry with the player’s behaviour he could be talked into letting him go for as little as £100m.

Just three years ago Ronaldo joined Real in a world-record £80million deal from United.

Now, if he really wants out, ­Ferguson will ask the Glazer ­family – who own United – to do everything in their power to re-sign the 27-year-old.

Reports in Spain have suggested Ronaldo’s ­unhappiness is being caused by Real’s ­refusal to hand him a new ­contract worth a staggering £500,000-a-week. But sources close to the player have ­countered that he has been hurt by a lack of respect from team-mates.

He also feels his failure to win the European ­Footballer of the Year award proves he isn’t getting the credit he deserves for a strike rate that has seen him score 151 goals in 150 games at the Bernabeu.

A United source said: “The manager made it clear when Ronaldo joined Real that if he ever left the ­Bernabeu he should return to Old Trafford.

“It’s a transfer that would prove that United can still compete with anyone for the biggest names in ­football.

“But, at the moment, only Ronaldo knows whether he is serious about leaving Madrid or whether he’s just having a sulk.”

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