‘Make it happen’ - Cristiano Ronaldo wants blockbuster Man Utd reunion with £70m star

Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr to make a move for 75-time Brazilian international Casemiro in the January transfer window.

Ronaldo, who scored a combined 145 goals in 346 games for the Red Devils across two spells at Old Trafford, before a bombshell departure in November 2022, is desperate to help grow the game of football in the Middle East even further and is keen to get his hands on further silverware at Al-Nassr after missing out on the title in both of his first two seasons at Al-Awwal Park.

"Life is good, football is good, but I want more,” the 39-year-old said in an interview, via Africa News. ”For me, it's an honour. But what I want and look forward to is the next 5 to 10 years. The league still needs to improve—not only the first teams but also the academies. This isn’t just about the future of Saudi football but about competing with other leagues globally."

Mirror Sport claimss that Ronaldo has urged the Al-Nassr hierarchy to add further quality and experienced trophy winners to the team to try and knock Alexander Mitrovic and Ruben Neves’ Al-Hilal off their perch. The Portuguese international claims experienced United midfielder Casemiro would be the perfect addition to the group and is seen to be reunited with him for the third time in his career after playing alongside him at both the Bernabeu and Old Trafford.

Could Casemiro leave Manchester United in January?

Casemiro was signed by Manchester United for a blockbuster £70m in the summer of 2022, in a move which saw him briefly play alongside Ronaldo before his mid-season departure to the Middle East.

The 32-year-old was initially a catalyst for a huge improvement in standards and results in Erik ten Hag’s first season as the Red Devils finished third in the table while reaching an FA Cup final and also defeating Newcastle United in the League Cup final to end a six-year trophy drought. Casemiro scored in the final and was awarded the Man of the Match for his heroics in midfield.

However, the Brazilian struggled to find the same form in his second season and was heavily criticised for his lack of fitness and consistency as the Red Devils fell to eighth place and their worst final of the Premier League era.

Casemiro ability questioned

“I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level. The next two league games and the cup final, then he should be thinking, I need to go to the MLS or Saudi.” Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports after a high-profile 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace.

"This has to stop because we are watching one of the greats of the modern time. I always remember the saying 'leave the football before the football leaves you'. The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move. The level of that player, he should not be putting himself through this. He is too good of a player to be putting in a performance like that being laughed at by Crystal Palace. He needs to call it a day."

Casemiro, who is under contract until 2026, has played 14 games this season, but is finding it increasingly difficult under Ruben Amorim, having started just one of the last seven matches. Manchester World understands that Manchester United are in a position where they will need to sell to buy this January and if Casemiro was to depart they’d be able to recoup a significant amount, with the ex-Real Madrid man commanding a wage of £350,000 a week at Old Trafford, according to TalkSport.