Following Manchester United recent defeat to rivals Liverpool, manager Alex Ferguson has revealed that last season’s top goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo could return to the team as soon as next week when United begin their defence of the Champions League against Spanish team Villarreal.

Following Portugal’s exit from Euro 2008, the 23 year old had surgery on his ankle to correct a longstanding problem. Although the operation went well, the prognosis from the club doctors was that he was unlikely to be available until October.

However, it seems that his recovery has been quicker than expected.

Ferguson said “He's come on leaps and bounds…He's likely to be involved next week… I think we mentioned a couple of weeks ago he was making rapid progress in terms of overcoming the injury problem”.

United certainly will be pleased to welcome Ronaldo back in the team. The club currently sit in thirteenth position in the Premier League table after a slow start to the new season.