A Manchester United supporters group are doing all they can to convince Cristiano Ronaldo to come back to Old Trafford – by flying a banner over his La Liga game asking him to ‘come home’.
The banner, created by United Reel, will fly over the Estadio El Madrigal this weekend when Real Madrid take on Villarreal.
And founder and coordinator of United Reel, Oli Grandidge, is hoping the banner, which reads ‘come home Ronaldo’ will earn a smile from the ex-Manchester United player.
“This banner stunt isn’t going to up sticks but it is just about showing the love is still there for him,” the 29-year-old said.
“Banners in the past, especially the David Moyes ones, have divided opinion as some fans did and didn’t like it.
#UnitedReel #BringRonaldoHome #MUFC #PressRelease #Banner pic.twitter.com/x6zJQtANGg
— UNITED REEL (@UnitedReel) September 24, 2014
“But with this we have found that about 95% of fans just think it’s a great idea.
“I think the best thing that could happen from this is that the TV cameras catch him looking at the banner and smiling at it, which would be great.”
United Reel are an invite only group for dedicated Reds fans across the globe, with support for the banner coming from MUSC United Arab Emirates, MUSC Lebanon and MUSC Egypt.
http://t.co/Eu2Kbw71Ke #UnitedReel #BringRonaldoHome #MUFC #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/qexf16LHDD
— UNITED REEL (@UnitedReel) September 22, 2014
The idea comes in the wake of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal indicating that he might look to bring the 29-year-old back to the club and Ronaldo himself doing nothing to quash rumours about a return.
“We’ve been planning it for about two or three weeks,” added Oli.
“It came about because of a press conference he did in which he didn’t give the normal political answer, he seemed excited about a return to United.
“We just wanted to do something that showed fans of United still love him.
“And even though the club has been big spending with the likes of Angel Di Maria coming in, the fans still love Ronaldo.”
