Juan Mata: 'Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United would be difficult'

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has stated that it would be "difficult" for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the club.

The Real Madrid forward has been linked with a summer move back to Old Trafford, having left United to join the Spanish giants in 2009.

Mata has said that despite Ronaldo being highly regarded by the United faithful, a move back to Manchester would not be a simple process for the man who has bagged 326 goals in 315 appearances for Real.

"I think it's difficult for that to happen, in truth," Mata told Goal.com.

"The respect and admiration that the people (in Manchester) have for Cristiano is incredible. You see it at the training ground, at the stadium, with so many photos of when he won all those titles there and did so well on a personal level as well.

"But it's complicated with him at a club like Real Madrid and happy there, which I think he is. He is a player who makes the difference in any league, obviously. But as it's very complicated at the moment, I prefer to focus on the players who are here, on playing well and achieving the club's objectives."

United have also been linked with Ronaldo's Real teammate Gareth Bale and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben.