- As United sign Argentina goalkeeper, Romero
Louis van Gaal says Cristiano Ronaldo is the type of player Manchester United need to compete with their rivals.
While the Dutchman would not be drawn on whether he thinks the Real Madrid star might return to United, he knows the Portuguese is regarded by United fans as the holy grail signing.
“I can imagine that. He is a fantastic player, I like him,” he said.
When asked if he needed that kind of player to complete his squad, he said: “Of course.”
He added: “I can give examples of champions: Bayern Munich, Ribery and Robben; Chelsea, Hazard and Willian; Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Bale; Barca, Neymar and Messi.
“Manchester United fans want us to compete with these teams.”
Winger Angel Di Maria has been linked with a move to Paris St-Germain and did not join up with United for the start of their pre-season tour of the United States.
Van Gaal added: “We still need more speed in front and also more creativity. That is why I hope Di Maria shall stay. But we don’t know that.
“Ashley Young and Juan Mata had fantastic seasons, with assists and goals but to win the Champions League you need speed also. That is why I think, maybe, we still have to buy a player with speed and creativity.”
Ronaldo is just 10 behind Spanish striker Raul’s record of 323 goals in 741 for the Bernabeu side.
Meanwhile, United have signed goalkeeper Sergio Romero as a result of the uncertainty over David De Gea.
Argentina international Romero, 28, was a free agent after leaving Sampdoria and will replace Spaniard Victor Valdes, who has been told he can leave.
Romero, who signs a three-year deal, played in the 2014 World Cup final and won the 2008-09 Eredivisie title under Louis van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, reports the BBC.
De Gea is into his final year of his contract and is wanted by Real Madrid.
“We have to prepare our season with the threat that David De Gea is going to Real Madrid,” said Van Gaal.
“Sergio Romero can fulfil that because we have to handle it very quickly if it happens with De Gea.”
Romero, who helped knock Van Gaal’s Netherlands out of the World Cup by saving penalties in a semi-final shootout, becomes United’s fifth signing of the summer.
It follows the deals for full-back Matteo Darmian, midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin and winger Memphis Depay.
Valdes was left out of the tour to the United States and Van Gaal said he will be sold after the manager claimed he “refused to play” in the reserves.
What can United fans expect from Romero?
“He is a very dominating goalkeeper, he dominates the 60-metre area, I think that is different in England,” Van Gaal said. “He has to prove that. His stature is also tall and he gives a lot of confidence to the players.
“Of course, he has to learn English because that is also a problem always with a foreigner. He is very good with his feet so he fits in our profile. I have a lot of confidence that he can fulfil what we are expecting, but always with when you buy players you have to wait and see.”
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