CRISTIANO RONALDO has insisted he’s ‘not here for a vacation’ as he piled the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start him against Newcastle.
The Portuguese legend, who will be back wearing the No7 shirt for the Red Devils, returned to Old Trafford from Juventus on deadline day on a two-year deal.
Now the 36-year-old is chomping at the bit to pull on the famous jersey once again and claim more silverware for the club where he shot to superstardom after originally joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
Speaking in a special interview with former team-mate Wes Brown for United’s app in the middle of the Theatre of Dreams pitch, Ronaldo said: “I’m so happy to be back.
“I never thought I would be back again but I am so proud, so excited and I’m looking forward to starting in the best way. I’m so happy, my family is happy, my kids, everyone.”
“To be back again, we have good memories, but this is a new time, a new generation and I’m here to win again and to help the team.
“The new young lads have huge potential and I’m here again to win and make history.
“The people here are different. When I touched down at the airport the other day, I felt the emotion.
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“It’s not just because I’m a United player – they saw me grow up here at 18, my passion and everything. So I feel very emotional, with desire and good energy.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who lifted the Premier League title three times and the Champions League before leaving United for Real Madrid in 2009, continued: “I’m here to win, people speak about the age, but they should know I’m different to the rest.
“I show off all the time, year by year, and this year will be the same. I know 100 per cent I will be good with my team-mates.
“The supporters are special and hope they can push the team, and we’ll be doing our best to win important things.
“I am not here for a vacation. Before was good, winning important things and I wore the shirt before many years ago, but I am here to win again.
“I am capable, me and my team-mates. I am ready to go. It is a good chance for me, for the supporters, for the club, to get one step ahead.
“I am ready and I think I will be a huge thing in the next three or four years.”
United fans are desperate to see their icon begin the second chapter of his United fairytale against Newcastle on Saturday with tickets selling for over £2,500.
He has already been told by his compatriot Bruno Fernandes about them singing his name throughout their recent win at Wolves.
But he admits he will be feeling nerves this weekend – just like before he replaced Nicky Butt off the bench 18 years ago in a 4-0 win over Bolton on his original debut.
Ronaldo said: “Bruno told me [they sang his song throughout the Wolves game].
“I have great memories when I arrived here at 18, with you [Brown], Rio, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville. It was my dream to play for Manchester United and we won a lot.
“I was so nervous [on his first debut]. I didn’t expect to play. When I first signed I thought I would be back in Portugal for one more year, but Sir Alex Ferguson said ‘no, no you’re going to stay here and you’re going to be in the squad for the game’.
“I was super nervous, I didn’t even expect to come on.
“Of course I will be nervous on Saturday, but I’m more mature and more experienced now. I will be prepared and I’m going to put pressure on Ole now to start me. I’m ready to go.”
And he left his new boss and former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with no doubt that he is ready to go against the Magpies.
Ronaldo added: “Of course it’s more easy for me [have Solskjaer there]. I played with Ole, Fletch, Carrick, they know me, the way I am, the way I play.
“So it’s great to be a part of this, with the new generation too. The mentality never changes at this club, it’s always to win, to make history.
“I’m here to put Manchester United where they deserve to be. I’m looking forward to starting on Saturday.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
