Carlo Ancelotti already knows how to help Cristiano Ronaldo back to top form amid Man United links

Carlo Ancelotti has already heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo amid suggestions the former Real Madrid boss could be in the running to take over at Manchester United.

The United forward has come in for criticism in his first campaign back in the Premier League as Ralf Rangnick's side continue to struggle to secure a place in next season's Champions League. ESPN report that Ancelotti is under consideration to become the next permanent United manager, with Rangnick set to take up an advisory role at the end of the season.

Ancelotti and Ronaldo worked together during their time at Los Blancos and the Italian regularly lauded the Portuguese superstar.

"Every time I have a press conference, I have to speak about Cristiano," Ancelotti previously said of Ronaldo. "Last time I said it's difficult to find a new word to describe Cristiano. I think he's a fantastic player, a fantastic professional and that's it."

READ MORE: What Sir Alex Ferguson has said about Carlo Ancelotti amid Manchester United job links

Speaking ahead of Real's 2014 Champions League clash against Liverpool, he lavished praise on Ronaldo, saying: "I said when Cristiano plays as good as can be, we start 1-0 - could be a joke but it's the reality."

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner enjoyed a successful spell under Ancelotti, winning the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup together.

And the former Everton boss is back in the Spanish capital as they lead La Liga amid links with United.

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