Manchester United have sensationally confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is set to rejoin them after completing a shock exit from Juventus.
The 36-year-old Portuguese forward ended a three-year association with the Old Lady, where he registered 101 goals across 134 matches in all competitions, and had been linked with several of Europe’s other ‘super clubs’ before deciding to call Old Trafford home once again after speaking to former and present stars.
Most notable among the other clubs linked was United’s closest rival, Manchester City, who also missed out on signing Harry Kane from Tottenham this summer.
The move to United is subject to a medical and agreement on personal terms; it was reported that City were prepared to offer him a two-year deal.
“If Cristiano ever wants to move away from Juventus he knows we are here,” United boss and former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told a press conference on Thursday. “For me he is the greatest player of all time. We have had a bit of communication, and I know Bruno has been talking to him as well.”
Bruno Fernandes was not the only person affiliated with United who had Ronaldo’s ear. “It’s a beautiful day man,” said their former centre-back Rio Ferdinand (via @FiveUK).
“Sir Alex Ferguson would have been the exactly the same, he would have hated to see Cristiano in a Man City shirt, just like any other person that’s been connected for a long period of time with this football club.
“I rang [Ronaldo] straight away: ‘What’s going on? Tell me you’re lying.’ Every type of no, no, no in the conversation. I’m like all the fans, I’m exactly the same and we are all the same like that: ‘Please tell me you’re not going?’
Another former United teammate, Patrice Evra, was also in touch.
[via Instagram]
Read more on Cristiano Ronaldo:
- An overlooked part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s old dribbling ability? Explaining the “Quiet eye”
- Ten Serie A records and feats Cristiano Ronaldo has swept up since joining Juventus
- What happened next? Every player from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man Utd debut XI
- The five pillars behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s aerial dominance
While #FSGOUT trended on Twitter (presumably fuelled by unhappy Liverpool fans), United players were more enthusiastic.
Wow wow wow, he’s home ?♥️ @Cristiano
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) August 27, 2021
SCARY HOURS!
— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) August 27, 2021
‘Agent Bruno’? ? ?
Welcome back home @Cristiano ?? https://t.co/YoFBamTIAQ— Bruno Fernandes (@B_Fernandes8) August 27, 2021
— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) August 27, 2021
During his first spell between 2003 and 2009 the Madeira-born star made no fewer than 292 appearances under legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and in the process found the net 118 times.
Ronaldo would lift three Premier League titles and the European Cup once in 2008 the same year he would claim his first Ballon d’Or award. An official statement from the club stated his switch from Juve is dependent on agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.