Manchester United have agreed a deal for Cristiano Ronaldo’s touted return to Old Trafford still time for more business before the transfer window officially closes.
United fans are still coming to terms with an all-hell-broke-loose Friday where a maelstrom of emotions soon turned from despair to jubilation as Cristiano Ronaldo, destined earlier for a switch from Juventus to United’s rivals Manchester City, made a sudden turnaround to return to Old Trafford 12 years after leaving as the world’s best player.
The Portuguese icon follows Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane as quality additions to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad of misplaced misfits and his sudden arrival certainly puts the future of several players in doubt with Solskjaer now having having to cope with a surplus of attackers already bursting at the seams in his already large squad.
Some movement in the final hours of the transfer window are to be expected for the Red Devils, with one of them being Ronaldo’s sensational return to United clearing the way for Daniel James to exit the club. James already faced huge competition for extra game time after the arrival of Jadon Sancho, with Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial also being competitive occupants of his preferred wide role.
The Sun claim United will let James leave before Tuesday’s deadline, with Everton, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Leeds among the clubs keen on hopefully securing a loan move for the Welsh winger, who could even be sold outright if the price is right.
Ronaldo will become the highest paid player at United, despite taking a significant pay cut to move to Old Trafford. The Red Devils will pay the five-time Ballon d’Or winner £6m less per year than he was paid at the Old Lady in the Serie A, the Mail on Sunday claims. It is reported that Ronaldo was on a staggering £500,000-per-week during his tenure at Turin, which equates to £26m a year salary. The 36-year-old superstar will now earn £385,000 per-week instead at Old Trafford, which still makes him the highest-earning United player ahead of David de Gea.
United are still waiting to officially confirm Ronaldo’s transfer after announcing an initial agreement, and the 36-year-old could be ready to make his second debut for the club at home to Newcastle on September 11.