Cristiano Ronaldo marks magnificent return to Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo will now play for Manchester United. (Photo credit: File/AP/PTI)
- In Manchester United's all-time leading scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo is place ninth
- During his time at Manchester United, he had made 292 appearances across all competitions
- The Portuguese star left Serie A team Juventus
Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday made a remarkable return to the Premier League when he joined his former club Manchester United, the club said in a statement.
"Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached an agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical," an official statement read.
Ronaldo has played for Manchester United for six years (2003-2009). He had signed from Sporting CP and sold to Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m (€93m).
During his stint at the club, he made 292 appearances across all competitions and scored 118 goals. This incredible scoring has him placed in the ninth position in United’s list of all-time leading scorers.
In six years he won three Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, one FA Cup and two league cups.
During the 2003-09 period, Ronaldo played under the guidance of then-manager Alex Ferguson.
“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester,” United said in a brief statement, ending a day of fast-moving developments.
It is the latest blockbuster move of the transfer window, with Lionel Messi — Ronaldo's long-time rival — having joined Paris Saint-Germain after his contract at Barcelona expired.
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe is also the subject of a bid of about 160 million euros ($188 million) from Real Madrid.
Hours before United confirmed Ronaldo's return to the club where he scored 118 goals in 292 games, current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Ronaldo “knows that we're here” if he wanted to join.
“He is the greatest player of all time, if you ask me,” said Solskjaer, a former United striker who played alongside Ronaldo. “Such a tremendous human being as well ... Everyone who’s played with him, I think, has a soft spot for him.”
Ronaldo will leave Juventus after three years. He joined the club from Real Madrid.
“Yesterday, Cristiano told me that he no longer plans to play for Juventus,” Allegri said in a news conference. “Cristiano gave his contribution. He made himself available, now he leaves and life goes on.”