The sensational transfer was confirmed on Friday as the player took a medical
Ronaldo had appeared to be on the cusp of signing for United's bitter rivals City
Solskjaer said Bruno Fernandes had been talking to Ronaldo about his future
Cristiano Ronaldo has now sealed a sensational return to Manchester United, as cross-town rivals Manchester City backed away from signing the superstar.
His old mentor Sir Alex Ferguson contacted and helped sway Ronaldo after United had began pushing to re-sign the icon on Thursday night. At that stage it was clear City were in talks with the player after he had told Juventus he was leaving the club.
The 36-year-old’s move back to Old Trafford was dramatically confirmed on Friday just two and a half hours after City made it clear that the Etihad Stadium would not be the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s next destination. United tweeted: ‘Welcome home, Cristiano.’
They have agreed to pay an initial £12.8million and almost £7m in add-ons, while Ronaldo — excited by the talent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has within his squad — is expected to sign a two-year contract.
Ronaldo, Serie A’s top scorer last season at Juventus, is in Lisbon where he will have a medical to rejoin the club he left 12 years ago when Real Madrid parted with a then world-record £80m.
City had been offered Ronaldo by his agent, Jorge Mendes, during their failed pursuit of Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
City had viewed a deal with scepticism all week, indicating an unwillingness to pay a fee to Juventus while also expecting the forward to take a significant reduction in his £500,000-a-week wages.
Pep Guardiola wanted a new striker but, with the deadline looming on Tuesday, City are unlikely to sign one until next summer.
Solskjaer was bullish yesterday before the signing was announced, saying: ‘I didn’t think Cristiano was going to leave Juventus. We’ve always had a good communication.
'I know Bruno (Fernandes) has been talking to him as well. He knows what we feel about him. If he was ever going to move away from Juventus, he knows we’re here.’
Ronaldo’s first game could be at home to Newcastle on September 11.
Friday’s developments evoked memories of United swooping for Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in January 2018 when City had appeared ready to capture the Chilean — only to later balk at the finances.
Guardiola cast doubt over the potential of Ronaldo ending up at City minutes after Solskjaer talked up the prospect of United doing a deal.
‘I’m more than delighted with the squad we have and my feeling is we will stay the same,’ said Guardiola. ‘Cristiano will decide where he wants to play.’
United’s players had been frustrated that the club had not moved for Ronaldo before Fernandes spoke to his Portugal team-mate on Thursday. Ferguson’s involvement was also crucial.
Solskjaer has spent heavily this summer, with Ronaldo joining Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane to take their spending over £130m.
United may look to balance the books in the final days of the window, with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard potentially departing. Paris Saint-Germain could look at Martial if Kylian Mbappe secures his exit to Real Madrid.
‘Sir Alex would’ve 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 club,’ former United defender Rio Ferdinand told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘I rang him (Cristiano). I was like all the fans, saying, “Please tell me you’re not going there”.’
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