Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Man Utd TOP earner after £24m transfer as Cavani ‘gives up No7 shirt’ for pal, Haaland latest

‘IT WILL BE GREAT’

Wayne Rooney is happy fellow Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo apparently came to his senses and sealed a return to Old Trafford, and not a move to rivals Man City.

Rooney was one of the few who publicly said – while it seemed every insider and transfer report suggested Ronaldo was heading to the Etihad – that he couldn’t see the deal happening.

After his Derby side drew with Nottingham Forest, Rooney said: “For the fans it will be great to see Cristiano back, it’s very exciting for everyone at the club.

“And for his teammates, too, for some of those young lads in the dressing room, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, some of these young lads who have grown up watching him play at Old Trafford.

“For them it would be a massive help, I’m sure. He’ll bring his mentality to the club.

“He’s still one of the best players in the world, so I think it’s a very good signing.”

PEP’S SATISFIED

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insisted he was satisfied with his squad, despite missing out on signing Cristiano Ronaldo.

After City beat Arsenal he said: “We are the same that we have done the last two or three years in the past, maybe people forget everything that we have done.

“Always the club has to have the intention to get better, to improve, because the players change and this is normal, the manager changes, but the club has to get better, we cannot forget.

“The team was magnificent last season and is the same and with these players we are still going to go.”

When asked about the prospect of adding a striker this transfer window, Guardiola said: “No, I don’t think so.”

‘FOUR-WAY RACE’

Rio Ferdinand believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational transfer to Manchester United opens up the Premier League title race to four teams.

He told BT Sport: “What this does is make it a four-way race. I still think that City are the team to beat.

“They have the know-how, they’ve done it, they’re the champions and they’re the team who others have got to get past.

“You want it to be interesting, you don’t want it to be a one-horse race, you want loads of teams at it going into the new year and I think we’re going to have that this year.

“He left here as the best player in the world and he turned up in Manchester as someone who was about entertaining and skills etc, but he’s very much a man about stats now and you see his level last season.

“Chelsea brought in a striker for £98million, yes different ages and profile etc but Ronaldo outscored him in Serie A last season. That tells you the level that he’s at.”

AMAD RUSH

Feyenoord are now joining the race with many clubs approaching Manchester United for Amad Diallo loan, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Talks are ongoing and Feyenoord are pushing but Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are still in.

The player’s camp will reportedly make a decision in the next few hours about where Diallo’s immediate future lies.

JUVE MOVE

Juventus are reportedly eyeing Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic as options to fill the huge hole left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man United return.

And the Italian giants look set to re-sign Moise Kean on a two-year loan with an option to buy the Everton forward for £17million.

Spanish outlet AS claims the Turin side are keen on Real Madrid striker Jovic, 23, who netted four goals in 23 appearances on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt last term.

Meanwhile, Marca reports the Italian outfit are also keeping an eye on Jovic’s Madrid team-mate Hazard with both having struggled for game time at the Bernabeu.

PRESSURE’S ON

Mikael Silvestre and Wes Brown joined talkSPORT to react to the biggest transfer deal of the summer window, which they claim ‘has to’ make the Red Devils Premier League title contenders.

Silvestre admits the pressure is now on Solskjaer to deliver, with Ronaldo set to help the Norwegian end the club’s nine-year wait for the English crown.

He said: “I was extremely happy to hear the news, it’s amazing for the fans, for the club and for the squad.

“He’s been a top professional everywhere he has been, he’s the driving force. He will bring so much energy and will be demanding of his teammates.

“The bar will be so high, that everybody will get better and better.”

Brown added: “He’s world class, he’s an experienced leader, he’s fully developed, he knows exactly what to do, and the young lads will watch him and I’m sure they will be taking all sorts of tips from him.

“He’s one of the fittest 36-year-olds out there in the world and he’ll know what his body is capable of. Once he has that shirt on and runs on the pitch, he’ll want to score, win games, help the team and win trophies. He’s not come back to just get paid, he’ll want to help Ole build this new team.”

CR-SEVEN HOTELS

Cristiano Ronaldo plans to work on expanding his hotel empire when he returns to the UK, SunSport can reveal.

The 36-year-old is opening his first Manchester hotel in 18-months and sources say he is keen to ‘quickly widen’ his portfolio of properties.

Our source said: “Football comes first for Cristiano – it always has.

“But he is now coming to that point in his career where he is looking beyond the game and at what comes next.

“The amazing opportunities that exist off the field here in the UK are a key part of the reason he wanted to return.

“He will be very hands-on with his Manchester hotel project and will be looking to open more sites once the first one is up and running.”

GARD OF HONOUR

Jesse Lingard has shared incredible throwback pictures of himself as a starstruck kid with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lingard revealed the nostalgic moment after the superstar completed his sensational return to Manchester United.

Lingard posted the photos on Instagram with the message ‘Welcome home Cristiano’.

GUT TO BE RIGHT

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he used gut feeling to decide if players like Cristiano Ronaldo would be the right type for Manchester United.

When questioned on what influenced his decision for player selection, Ferguson insists that he relied on his instincts.

The former Red Devils boss told United’s web site: “I believe in instinct.

“I had a good instinct about players and I had a good instinct about watching players who I maybe wanted to buy.

“I knew that, looking at certain players, I could see traits that told me they were Manchester United players, or Aberdeen players, or St Mirren players.

“I could see that in certain players I watched. Instinct was really important. Also on instinct, sometimes it’s picking the team.

“We’re playing certain teams and I’d have an instinct: ‘right, I’m not going to play certain players. I’ll play other players.’

“I wouldn’t say it’s intuition, I’d say it’s instinct.”

‘IT’S A GIFT’

Tim Sherwood believes the Glazers have responded to fans protest in the best way possible by adding Cristiano Ronaldo to the signings of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.

And the former Tottenham boss believes CR7’s arrival places big pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to deliver.

He told Sky SPorts: “It’s a gift from the Glazers to the fans. After that debacle with the Super League I think they needed to do something.

“They (the fans) cannot demonstrate against Ed Woodward or the Glazers now.

“They’ve backed you, it’s heaped pressure on one mana- the manager of the football club.

“Now they’ve got the King, he’s come back. I agree, he’s not the same player but he and Messi are out of this world. They are super special players. Hopefully for United fans he can do it again for you.”

LOAN MOVE

Salford City have confirmed the signing of Manchester United striker D’Mani Mellor on their official club website.

Salford City boss Gary Bowyer has moved to further bolster his attacking ranks, bringing in young striker D’Mani Mellor.

The Manchester United prodigy joins the Ammies on loan in his first temporary stint away from Old Trafford, linking up with the League Two side on a deal that will see him spend the season with Bowyer’s side.

Mellor’s arrival makes it nine signings for Salford City this summer.

‘NEED TO GO’

Tim Sherwood has claimed that three Man Utd players need to leave the club with Cristiano Ronaldo returning.

Sherwood believes that the Ronaldo signing means that a few won’t “get in the squad” at United. He told Premier League Productions that Jesse Lingard, Dan James and Anthony Martial “need to go”.

He said: “Jesse Lingard misses out, I think he needs to go and play for West Ham. He had a great time there last year, he looked like he wanted to go and play football and he was outstanding. I think it’s his time to leave the club.

“I think Daniel James might leave as well. Leeds are chasing him and he played well against them in the first game of the season. It was a great rehearsal for him. He’s got outstanding pace and directness. I think he’ll be another one [who leaves].

“For me, Anthony Martial will be moved on. If they’ve got a home for Martial and they can get the right money, I think they will shake hands and say it never worked out.

‘GREAT TO HEAR’

News of Ronaldo returning to Manchester United has attracted the attention of big names, including in the combat world.

Lifelong United fan Conor McGregor gave his response on Twitter, saying: “Congrats Cristiano and Man United! Great to hear this!”

Tyson Fury is another famous United fan in the combat sports world.

Boxing’s WBC heavyweight world champion was once even invited by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to speak to the squad for motivational purposes.

He is in training for the trilogy with Deontay Wilder at present, but had his team post an Instagram story to celebrate the news of Ronaldo’s return.

‘IT’S FRUSTRATING’

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has said it is frustrating the club are unable to compete with Manchester United, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the transfer market.

Manchester United are set to follow up the signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane by bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club from Juventus.

Koeman said: “On the one hand I understand it.

“For everyone that wants the best for the club, it’s frustrating, I understand it. On the other hand, we have to be realistic. Economically, the club can’t compete with other clubs, with Paris, City, United. That’s how it is at the moment.

“We can’t demand what has been demanded before at this club. We have to understand the moment the club is in.”

RONALDO LATEST

Cristiano Ronaldo will have a medical in Lisbon this weekend as he closes in on a sensational return to Manchester United, per Sky Sports.

Personal terms on a two-year deal have been agreed in principle.

CR7 IS BACK

The Premier League claim Cristiano Ronaldo is Manchester United’s new No7 on their official website.

But the competition also has Edinson Cavani listed down as United’s No7 as speculation begins to rise about his new shirt number.

The Premier League have now added Ronaldo, 36, to Man Utd’s squad for the 2021-22 campaign and updated his player page.

The competition have listed the Portuguese forward as United’s No7 but are yet to strip Cavani of the shirt in a confusing update.

Man Utd haven’t announced Ronaldo’s shirt number and Cavani’s No7 jersey is still available to buy on the club’s website.

MORE DOUBTS…

Like Graeme Souness, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is not convinced by the deal to sign Ronaldo.

Speaking on Soccer Saturday, Merse said: “I don’t think he will be nowhere near as good [as last time in the Premier League]. 50 per cent [as good]?

“His numbers are still phenomenal, don’t get me wrong, but if he does it at 36 in the Premier League, you’d have to think he is not human!

“Does it knock Greenwood and Sancho back? They will certainly be able to watch him and think, ‘This is how I’ve got to live my life for the next 10 years because it’s a short career. He will set an example but will he win the league for Man Utd? I’m going to say no.

“I still sit here now and think, why didn’t they sign Harry Kane to give you a three-, four-year option? This is a big deal for – in my opinion – one season only. He was unplayable last time but I just don’t see that in the Premier League now.”

RONNY REPLACEMENT

Juventus are close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement with Moise Kean set to join.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the striker is due in Turin in the next 24 hours for a medical after agreeing personal terms.

The initial deal is for a loan, with an obligation to buy, and the total value of the move will be about £17m.

RONALDO FEVER

The Manchester United Megastore will not begin printing ‘Ronaldo’ on shirts until Tuesday, it has been revealed.

Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News has spoken to staff at the store in light of Ronaldo’s impending move to Old Trafford.

He tweeted: “A Ronaldo scarf seller has done decent trade this morning on the Old Trafford concourse: he sold out of scarves. Megastore staff say they are not printing ‘Ronaldo’ on shirts until Tuesday.”

FURTHER DEALS?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may not be finished in the transfer market, with AS reporting a late return for Kieran Trippier is a distinct possibility.

Arsenal are also keen on the Atletico Madrid player, however, it’s Manchester United who are ‘above all’ leading the chase.

The Spanish newspaper talks of a ‘final rush’ from the Premier League for their players, with Trippier and Saul Niguez mentioned.

Regarding the defender, Manchester United are said to be considering a late offer, but Atletico are determined to keep their player or sell him for an above market price.

That would be £34million, and it remains to be seen whether the English club will try and test the resolve of Los Rojiblancos.

‘THEY PERFORMED’

Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has hailed the Old Trafford club’s hierarchy for agreeing a deal with Juventus to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ferdinand said on his FIVE Youtube channel: “One thing I have to say is that the Man United hierarchy, when they needed to move there was no looking back. They performed, I must say, perfectly at every step, every point.

“There was no looking over their shoulder, there was no hesitancy about it.

“When someone like Ronaldo comes on the scene and there is an opportunity for him to come to a football club and continue his legacy at this football club, if Man United had let that slip through their fingers, and for him to have gone across the city to the other side, you would have had to have had security 24/7 around the clock at the stadium, let alone the houses of some of the people involved in that.

“Listen, there has been a lot of criticism that has been pointed at different people in the hierarchy at Manchester United at whatever period of time it is.”

‘GOOD NEWS’ SAYS CARLO

Ronaldo’s move to Manchester United is capturing everyone’s attention, including former manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Real Madrid manager expressed his happiness for CR7 and United, and his counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He said: “It’s good news as Ronaldo returns to a team he loves a lot and did very well for a long time. I’ve a good relationship with their manager, like the club.”

BIG BUCKS

Cristiano Ronaldo’s £480k-a-week wages at Man United make him the best paid Premier League star by nearly £100,000… but he still earns LESS than Lionel Messi and Neymar at PSG!

The 36-year-old sealed a dramatic move back to United on Friday after he looked set to join rivals Manchester City just hours before.

The move will see him return to the Red Devils 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid and he now looks set to become the highest paid player in the top flight, overtaking the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Kane and David de Gea.

Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne had been on the highest base salary in the Premier League, with the Belgian pocketing an eye-watering £385,000 while United keeper de Gea is on just £10,000 less than him per week.

‘WELCOME TO MANCHESTER’

An advert with the famous ‘Welcome to Manchester’ phrase has appeared in Manchester Piccadilly train station in the city centre — but this time with Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating a goal and a red background.

The billboard, which will be in place for a week, is the work of SportBible, who have marked Ronaldo’s sensational move with a chance to wind up City fans.

It is also revenge against City after they unveiled a poster to welcome Carlos Tevez to the club following his infamous switch across the city.

The billboard is set to be put up next week.

‘ICING ON THE CAKE’

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United will provide extra belief within their squad they can win the Premier League but Manchester City remain the favourites, says Mark Bosnich.

He told Sky Sports: “I do think they were contenders at the start of the season…now Ronaldo is the icing on the cake.

“I still believe Manchester City are favourites but the odds are closing and closing rapidly.

“At Juventus he scored 101 goals in 134 appearances and that was in Serie A. They won the league twice the Italian Cup and the Super Cup as well.

The ultimate aim is to become true title contenders and I believe this signing will make them that.”