European footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo [Images] brought the Ballon D'Or trophy back to Old Trafford for the first time in 40 years on Wednesday.

Ronaldo paraded the trophy before United's Champions League tie against AaB Aalborg.

The Portuguese international, who missed the match with a hip injury, is the first United player to top the poll since George Best in 1968. He was joined on the Old Trafford pitch by former United winners Denis Law (1964) and Bobby Charlton (1966).

Ronaldo won the trophy after scoring 42 goals for United last season and helping the club win the English premier league and the Champions League titles.

Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images