CRISTIANO RONALDO will become Manchester United’s highest-paid player on around £480,000 a week.
And he will be the club’s new No7, according to the Premier League website.
However, United’s site still shows Cavani with the famous jersey.
The Uruguayan is set to do battle with fellow veteran Ronaldo for a starting berth but has no intention of leaving, according to reports.
Erling Haaland will leave Borussia Dortmund next summer even if they win the Bundesliga, according to reports from Germany.
PSG are keen to sign the Norwegian now, but the club’s poor relationship with Dortmund and his desire to stay in Germany this season are set to derail the move.
And that would put United in pole position to complete the transfer over the coming year.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has praised Cristiano Ronaldo despite him joining United.
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MORE FROM NEVILLE
Gary Neville expects Cristiano Ronaldo to add a lot of goals for Manchester United ahead of his return.
Neville told Sky Sports: “It’s a short-term measure, as is Edinson Cavani. They can’t get one of these top strikers; Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku were never going to come to Old Trafford this summer. So I think they needed it because they haven’t got a 25-30 goal a season striker.
“Ronaldo gives you a guarantee of goals and he’ll make the whole place be electric for the next few months. The standards he should set in that dressing room, the way in which he should influence those younger players… there are some younger players who need some really good standards putting into them.
“They’ve now got one of the greatest football players of all time, who will do every single thing right, on and off the pitch. They’ll have nowhere to go in respect of their professionalism, work ethic”
READY FOR A TRIP
Manchester United have rekindled their interest in Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier.
That is according to The Athletic, who claim that United may not be done yet after signing Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, it seems like the Red Devils will only make a move if Diogo Dalot exits before deadline day.
Dalot has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund but it seems like he will stay put at Old Trafford
NEVILLE PREDICTION
Gary Neville still believes Manchester United are third favourites to win the Premier League despite signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
Neville told Sky Sports:”The Premier League is at the highest standard it has been for a long, long time. The Premier League has got back to the top level in Europe and Manchester United are up against really good sides.
“In years gone by, I might have said this Manchester United side would have won the Premier League by 10 points but it’s such a strong Premier League this one.
“I made the prediction on Monday Night Football that it would [finish] Manchester City, Chelsea and [then] Manchester United and I’m not going to change that because I don’t think the Ronaldo signing makes them a better team than Chelsea, who were the Champions League winners last season, and Manchester City, who were 20 points clear.
“Absolutely it brings them closer to winning the title. Do I think they will win the title at this point? No I don’t. But now I’m more excited about Manchester United challenging for the title than I was maybe five or six days ago.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane will have the mentality to win the title. I’m desperate for them to win the title. But do I think they’ll win the title this season? No. I’m just being pragmatic.
“You have to be in for these players if you’re Manchester United. Whether that wins you the title or not, I’m unsure. It gives them a far better chance than they had 48 hours ago”
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NEVILLE ON RONALDO
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo will give the Red Devils “something they need”.
Ronaldo returned to United 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid.
Neville told Sky Sports: “Ronaldo will be coming to win trophies, personal accolades and set the Premier League on fire. It is a different Ronaldo, everyone expected that.
“But he is a number nine, someone who still has that burst over short distances, he makes great runs inside the box, has anticipation of where the ball’s going to drop, and he gives United something they need”
PAUL MERS-RON
Paul Merson questioned Manchester United’s decision to sign Cristiano Ronaldo instead of a younger striker like Tottenham superstar Harry Kane.
Merson said: “Will he win the league for Man Utd? I am going to say ‘no’. I think he will play centre-forward and now Edinson Cavani will be thinking, ‘Why did I sign for another year?’
“It is going to be hard. Why not go and get Harry Kane? Kane is a three or four-year option.
“This is a big deal for one season only; he will be 37 in February. It doesn’t matter how you keep yourself fit.
“His standards were up there and he was unplayable and I don’t see how that will be the case in the Premier League”
SPECIAL RON
Roma boss, and former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho had little to say about Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.
Mourinho worked with Ronaldo for three years after the Portuguese head coach took over at Real Madrid in 2010.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss said: “What I can say is basic, it’s logical.
“If Juventus are happy, if Ronaldo is happy and Man Utd are happy, then it’s a perfect deal – he has written history for the last 20 years.
“I have nothing more to comment”
STARS REACT
Manchester United stars are over the moon ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s imminent return to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo is coming back to United 12 years after he left for Real Madrid and became one of the best footballers in the sport’s history.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner came close to joining Manchester City but the Red Devils hijacked the move at the eleventh hour.
Here are some reactions:
FAIR SHER
Tim Sherwood believes Jesse Lingard, Daniel James and Anthony Martial will leave Manchester United after Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival.
Sherwood told Premier League Productions: “I think a few players will need to go.
“They need to hand in a 25-man squad, there’s a few there who are not getting in the squad.
“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”
MORE FROM FERDINAND
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Cristiano Ronaldo will bring immense attention back to the club.
Ferdinand told FIVE: “In this situation they have performed perfectly in what they have done, because Ronaldo coming to town… this is the hottest ticket in town.
“There is no hotter ticket around. I don’t care where you look in Europe, in the world, the hottest ticket is at Old Trafford.
“That is what Ronaldo brings. The attention on the club, the attention on other players. I mean, you cannot put into words what this is going to do for the dressing room, for the fan base…”
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FERDINAND PRAISE
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has praised the club’s hierarchy for moving fast to hijack Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester City.
Ferdinand told FIVE : “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.
“You have to understand that 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 and continue his history 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”
RONALDO DEBUT
Cristiano Ronaldo is on his way back to Manchester United for a sensational homecoming.
Ronaldo will obviously play no part tomorrow against Wolves at Molineux, which means United fans will have to wait until after the international break to see the star forward back in action.
Thus, the Portugal international is most likely to debut on September 11 against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
It will take a while, but the wait will most certainly be worth it
GA-VING A LAUGH
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has trolled Jamie Carragher after he penned his thoughts on the dramatic Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga.
Ronaldo initially seemed close to joining United’s rivals Manchester City and Carragher expected it to become a done deal soon before the Red Devils hijacked the move.
The Liverpool legend wrote a column about the matter and shared it on Twitter with the following caption: “Manchester City are signing the greatest goal scorer of his generation, but will #Ronaldo make the difference in the big CL games? Will he play? It didn’t work out for Juventus & I’m not convinced it will for City.”
Neville responded with the following post: “The ‘You won’t win anything with kids’ moment”
DALOT STAYS
Diogo Dalot won’t be leaving Manchester United this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Romano claims Borussia Dortmund were among the clubs that approached United but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to keep Dalot.
He tweeted: “Manchester United have made a final decision: Diogo Dalot will stay.
“He’s non-transferrable. Club and Solskjaer are very happy with Dalot, they trust him for present and future so he’s NOT leaving.
“Borussia Dortmund approached Man Utd as many other clubs but no way”
DIALLO DECISION
Feyenoord have joined the transfer war for Manchester United ace Amad Diallo, who is being targeted for a loan move.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who claims talks between the Eredivisie side and United are ongoing.
Feyenoord are pushing but other Premier League and Bundesliga sides are in the running.
More below:
HAALAND REMINDER
Paris Saint-Germain are considering a move for Borussia Dortmund star and longtime Manchester United target Erling Haaland to replace Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid are reportedly on the verge of agreeing a whopping £154million deal with PSG for Mbappe, whose contract runs out next year and he has refused to extend his stay in Paris.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Parisians are believed to have contacted Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola over the possibility of a move before August 31, when the transfer window slams shut.
But a deal will be difficult to complete at this late stage and talks between PSG and Dortmund have yet to begin.
United shouldn’t be keen on signing Haaland for a while as they are ready to welcome Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford
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CR7 AGAIN
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hinted that Edinson Cavani may have given up his No7 shirt for the returning Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is set to return to United where he wore the iconic jersey number during his first spell at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube show, Ferdinand said: “Just to think Cavani could be the back-up for Ronaldo, it’s unbelievable.
“Cavani, I have to say, what a man! He saw who was coming to town and gave up the No7 shirt”
PEP TALK
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola broke his silence after the reigning Premier League champions missed out on Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola told BT Sport: “I don’t think frustrated is the right word.
“We have an exceptional squad and we have improved to have the best possible team to compete.
“It’s good that a player like Cristiano Ronaldo is back in England for the Premier League and it’s good news”
RONALDO REMINDER
Cristiano Ronaldo has become Manchester United’s highest earner after his £21million move from Juventus.
Ronaldo will rake in a staggering £480,000-a-week, which will overshadow David De Gea’s £375k weekly salary.
Before this summer, Paul Pogba was behind De Gea on £290k-a-week but summer signings Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane now occupy third and fourth spot.
Sancho and Varane earn £350k and £340k-a-week respectively having joined from Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid
‘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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
