Manchester United announced on Friday they have reached a deal to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus, 12 years after he left Old Trafford for Real Madrid.
“Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical,” United said in a statement.
“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester.”
United’s swoop capped a tumultuous 24 hours during which Ronaldo initially seemed poised to join rivals Manchester City.
Premier League champions City had been widely linked with a move for the Portuguese forward after missing out on England captain Harry Kane.
However, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted a deal was in the offing during his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Wolves.
“Cristiano is a legend of this club, he’s the greatest player of all time, if you ask me,” said Solskjaer, who played alongside Ronaldo.
“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 from Juventus, he knows that we’re here.”
Here are reactions to Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United:
Welcome 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, @Cristiano 🔴#MUFC | #Ronaldo
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 27, 2021
🔴 CR7 makes his return to @ManUtd 🔴
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 27, 2021
👕 196 appearances
⚽️ 84 goals
🅰️ 34 assists
👟 1 Golden Boot
🤩 2 Player of the Season
🏆 3 #PL titles
Welcome back, @Cristiano! 👋 pic.twitter.com/VfLtn8Q3tv
He's been with us from the very start and we couldn’t be happier to have him back 🇵🇹😍
— Manchester United Foundation (@MU_Foundation) August 27, 2021
Welcome home, @Cristiano 🔴#MUFC | #VivaRonaldo pic.twitter.com/bB7Tuzvcsf
476 - Since his @premierleague debut in 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 476 goals in 586 league appearances, the most of any player in the big-five European leagues in this time. Return. pic.twitter.com/5sQe4y1r2v
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 27, 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo ➡️ Manchester United
— ESPN (@espn) August 27, 2021
He'll bring the goals to Old Trafford ⚽ pic.twitter.com/uBoI60Hcb1
Cristiano Ronaldo was the last player to score 40+ goals in a single season for Man Utd:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 27, 2021
◎ 2007/08
◎ 49 games
◉ 42 goals
And he might be the next... pic.twitter.com/5PbVvvrsnV
He’s back 🔴 pic.twitter.com/t8zbjUEhdi
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 27, 2021
Time to write a new chapter. pic.twitter.com/tGVBiLY48J
— Goal (@goal) August 27, 2021
Ronaldo’s Juventus Journey
— Ralphie (@powellyowl) August 26, 2021
Thank you, Cristiano. pic.twitter.com/H0O4PiOq6z
A few things have changed since the last time Ronaldo joined Man United 🔴💭 pic.twitter.com/928cPWdUl8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 27, 2021
42 - During his first spell at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 42 goals in the 2007-08 season, the third-most in a season ever by a Man Utd player, behind only Denis Law in 1963-64 (46 goals) and Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002-03 (44 goals). Homecoming. pic.twitter.com/OTtbrTqOSs
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 27, 2021
Yes, we're excited too!@Cristiano will be added to #FPL when personal terms are agreed and the deal is finalised 🙌
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 27, 2021
🔴 Cristiano Ronaldo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrating the 2006/07 Premier League title together. pic.twitter.com/2VqYjgcIkI
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 27, 2021
VIVA RONALDO
— Twitter Sports (@TwitterSports) August 27, 2021
All the best, @Twitter pic.twitter.com/L876YXKJaw
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 27, 2021
Everybody looks good in 𝐑𝐄𝐃! 🔴❤️#Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/jKuPZHDJUn
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) August 27, 2021
Craziest transfer window!!
— PRANNOY HS (@PRANNOYHSPRI) August 27, 2021
Look who is back at Old Trafford ?
Ronaldoooo #insane https://t.co/k1UUV9GpYL
I generally tweet cricket , but this one is a piece of info that a lot of people on my time line also would love and most definitely my friends , @Cristiano is joining @ManUtd
— DK (@DineshKarthik) August 27, 2021
A birdie tells me this news and a big shoutout to all the man utd fans . Good times ahead 😉