Angel di Maria doubts Cristiano Ronaldo will ever return to Manchester United

Manchester United's Angel di Maria cannot see Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo ever making an emotional return to Old Trafford.

Di Maria took Ronaldo's old number seven shirt upon his arrival at the club following his British record transfer of £59.7m from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

But former United hero Ronaldo remains intriguingly linked with a return to Manchester, often fondly recalling his affection for the club where he became the transcendent giant of the game he stands as today.

But Di Maria doubts a reunion with his former Real Madrid teammate is on the cards any time soon.

"I don't think he is coming back to Manchester," Di Maria reportedly told Argentine radio station Radio America. "It is hard to quit Real Madrid. Maybe, but I think he is having a great time and I don't see that he wants to change."

Argentine international Di Maria was also full of praise for United skipper Wayne Rooney.

"Rooney is a quality player. He has an amazing mindset and desire to play every game that is unmatched. He plays every game for 90 minutes. He is always giving his best, fully in every game. That has surprised me. He is a player who deserves to be here."

Di Maria made his first appearance in over a month after coming off the bench in United's 2-0 win over Yeovil Town in Sunday's FA Cup third round victory.

The 26-year-old missed seven games after suffering a partial hamstring injury in a 3-0 win over Hull City on 29 November, 2014, before suffering a pelvic problem during the festive period, but came off the bench to score his side's second against the League One side.

The Argentine's return should provide United with some renewed zeal after a series of flat performances, and his teammates are relishing the prospect of having their record signing back in action.

"He showed exactly what he is all about, he is learning quickly and he makes great, intelligent runs as well," Darren Fletcher said of his teammate, via United's official website.

"He always wants the ball, he gets kicked and he just keeps getting up – he's that strong. We have missed him, but hopefully he is back now and he can kick on for the second half of the season and be the really important player we know he is going to be."