Man Utd announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday; Premier League club will pay around €15m (£12.87m) plus a further €8m (£6.86m) in add-ons for the Portugal captain, who underwent a medical in Lisbon over the weekend
Tuesday 31 August 2021 09:37, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his Manchester United medical as he closes on a return to his former club.
United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus to re-sign the 36-year-old forward on Friday.
Personal terms have been agreed on a two-year contract, with the required aspects of the deal to be finalised before the deadline on Tuesday night.
The Premier League club will pay around €15m (£12.87m) plus a further €8m (£6.86m) in add-ons for the Portugal captain, who underwent a medical in Lisbon over the weekend.
Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell with United between 2003 and 2009.
Ronaldo's departure from Juventus was confirmed on Friday by boss Massimiliano Allegri, who revealed he was told by the player he had "no intention" of representing the club again.
United's rivals Manchester City were offered the chance to sign the 36-year-old and considered making a move, but the Premier League champions pulled out of negotiations.
Speaking on Sunday at Wolves where United won 1-0 thanks to Mason Greenwood's 80th-minute goal, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer welcomed the imminent capture of Ronaldo, telling Sky Sports: "We're excited by the whole story Cristiano has had at Manchester United.
"Hopefully we can get the paperwork sorted and announce him very soon. He is a winner and a great human being. The players are excited, and l am excited to keep adding to this squad.
"He adds something completely different. It adds more confidence and belief to what we are doing and what we are building.
"We know he is a more experienced player than he was when he was here last time, he has evolved and had an unbelievable career. I'm sure he likes all the talk about 'he's too old'. Make it personal and he will show what he can do."
Solskjaer warned his Manchester United forwards Ronaldo would likely be going straight into the first team.
The Norwegian added: "He is not signing to sit on the bench. He is going to make us a better team.
"We need to get all the paperwork done, hopefully we can get that sorted and we can announce it 100 per cent.
"Then he is away with Portugal, they have three games, his last game is Tuesday (September 7) and then we can get him back to Manchester and involved as soon as possible."
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane admitted he had been caught up in the excitement of Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford.
"I think it's great news for United, the fans, the Premier League. There's no doubt in my mind he's still a world-class player.
"We have discussed the pluses and minuses, but I see the hunger and the desire there; it's not a pay-day for him. He is already worth fortunes.
"We saw at the Euros he won the Golden Boot; he'll have the incentive of the World Cup. He's a clever guy. He's coming back to United to win stuff. I don't think he'll be the difference in terms of winning the big trophies - Man Utd still have the same problems with or without Ronaldo, and that's midfield - but an FA Cup or a League Cup is more than possible."
Despite the fanfare of Ronaldo returning to bolster Solskjaer's squad, question marks remain over the midfield.
Paul Pogba dropped back into midfield against Wolves but his partnership with Fred does not look like a long-term solution, argues Adam Bate.
Bate says "With Cristiano Ronaldo's return imminent, the competition for those forward positions increases. The temptation to fit Pogba in as one of the two midfielders is understandable. But it feels like a fudge.
"The problem is that the switch brings negatives as well as positives - both of which were evident against Wolves."
Alice Piper is joined by Peter Smith and Gerard Brand to run through the weekend's Premier League action after a memorable week on and off the pitch.
PART 1 | Will Cristiano Ronaldo play every game for Man Utd? Win at Wolves analysed, and is midfield still a problem for Solskjaer?
PART 2 | Arsenal's wretched defending at City analysed; who is to blame for the latest crisis? What does Arteta need to show to keep his job? Do City even need a striker?
PART 3 | Are Chelsea's handball complaints justified? Blues' draw at Liverpool assessed, plus: Everton, Spurs and Conor Gallagher impress.
Time is running out for clubs to do business - the summer transfer window closes at 11pm in England and midnight in Scotland on Tuesday August 31 and you can follow all the Deadline Day drama with Sky Sports.
Follow all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on the Sky Sports website and app, check out the latest Done Deals and watch the best analysis and reaction on Sky Sports News.
