Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken of his admiration for Wayne Rooney -- and says he could see himself playing alongside his former Manchester United teammate again one day.

The Real Madrid star made his name at United, moving to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 -- 12 months before Rooney arrived from Everton.

The attacking duo played their formative years in the game together -- winning the Champions League, Premier League three times, two League Cups and the Club World Cup in six years together with the Red Devils.

And Ronaldo still holds a player he calls "Pitbull" in the highest regard.