DEADLINE DAY has been and gone with Manchester United completing the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese icon, 36, has been confirmed as a United player once again after moving from Juventus.
Ronaldo is also set to take back his famous number 7 shirt from Edinson Cavani and could even take penalty duties off the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes.
Elsewhere, Daniel James has crossed the Pennines to sign a £30m deal with Leeds.
While Dortmund have issued a final hands off warning on Erling Haaland, with the chase for the striker’s signature likely to rumble on.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Get all the latest Man Utd news, updates and transfer gossip here…
RON THE MARK
Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has praised Manchester United for signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
Palmer told Football FanCast: “He can play in the number nine role, you can play him out wide, you can play him off the top, you know, he’s an unbelievable fit player.
“It’s just a magnificent bit of business, a feelgood factor.
“I went for Man United before the league started, I went for them to win it and I’m still sticking with that, if they can get the Pogba deal done which I’m sure they will do, I think they’ve got a great chance this season.”
RONALDO PAYMENT DETAILS
Manchester United will pay Juventus a €15million (£12.9m) transfer fee for Cristiano Ronaldo over the course of five years with an additional €8m (£6.9m) payable upon activating a number of performance related add-ons.
An official statement from Juve read: “Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that an agreement with Manchester United FC Ltd for the definitive disposal of the registration rights of the player Dos Santos Aveiro Cristiano Ronaldo has been reached for a consideration of € 15.0 million payable in five financial years, which might be increased, up to a maximum of €8.0 million, upon achievement of specific performance objectives over the duration of the employment contract with the player.
“This operation generates a negative economic impact of approximately €14.0 million on the 2020/2021 financial year due to the partial write-down of the net book value of the player’s registration rights.”
Ronaldo is expected to make his United debut after the international break
CAVANI STAYS
Edinson Cavani has stayed at Manchester United despite last-minute reports suggesting he will leave.
Cavani was linked with a move to Barcelona on transfer deadline day but nothing materialised.
Therefore, the striker will be part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad for the season.
However, it is not yet certain which shirt number he will be wearing as rumours suggest he could hand No7 back to the returning Cristiano Ronaldo
OLE ON RONALDO
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is certain Cristiano Ronaldo will have even more success in his second stint at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer said: “You run out of words to describe Cristiano.
“He is not only a marvellous player, but also a great human being. To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level for such a long period requires a very special person.
“I have no doubt that he will continue to impress us all and his experience will be so vital for the younger players in the squad.
“Ronaldo’s return demonstrates the unique appeal of this club and I am absolutely delighted he is coming home to where it all started”
GETTY IMAGES CR7 AGAIN?
Manchester United signing Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to reclaim the iconic No7 jersey following confirmation of his return to Old Trafford, reports suggest.
Edinson Cavani, who is currently allocated the legendary number, is reportedly willing to give up the cherished shirt.
And there is indeed a precedent for changing Premier League squad numbers.
Former Tottenham star Emmanuel Adebayor switched from 25 to 10 in the 2012-2013 season.
Nevertheless, the top flight has given no indication on how the request would be received
VARANE REACTS
Raphael Varane is very pleased that he will reconnect with former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
Varane told MUTV: I am very happy.
“He’s a legend and all players can learn when you play with him.
“It’s a great help for all players, for all young players, and of course he never stops scoring goals, so he will help the team.”
QUESTION MART
Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Manchester United leaves a ‘big question mark’ over Anthony Martial.
The same goes for the rest of the forwards, such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani.
Berbatov told Betfair: “Where Ronaldo fits into the United side is the question I asked myself because we have Martial, Rashford, Sancho and Cavani so there are a lot of attacking options.
“I actually think Martial is going to have a big question mark over his head and I’m probably more concerned about that”
PELE MESSAGE
Cristiano Ronaldo has received a good luck message from Pele after his return to Manchester United.
The Brazilian legend issued a short message to Ronaldo via his Instagram account.
Pele posted: “There is no better feeling than conquering the world and returning home.
“Always be happy, Cristiano”
GETTY IMAGES JAMES FAREWELL
Manchester United bid farewell to Daniel James after his move to Leeds during deadline day.
James joined Marcelo Bielsa’s side following a £25million deal between the two clubs.
United issued the following statement: “Everybody at Manchester United wants to thank Daniel for his excellent contribution during his two years as a Red.
“Be it as a starter, substitute or squad member, he always gave 100 per cent and he leaves with our very best wishes for the future.”
MORE FROM JAMES
Former Manchester United ace Daniel James described his move to Leeds as “completely the right decision”.
James told Sky Sports: “For my footballing career, it was completely the right decision.
“Don’t get me wrong, I had an unbelievable time [at United], I made good friends and had a good bond with the fans.
“But, I feel it’s time to move on and I’m looking forward to it. I’d say I’m a different player [since signing for United two years ago], I only played half a season when I nearly signed here last term.
“I’ve got more games under my belt at the top level and I’d like to think I can add something else here”
BIGGEST DEALS
This has been a transfer window to remember and here is the Premier League’s top five biggest blockbuster moves:
- Jack Grealish (Manchester City from Aston Villa, £100m)
- Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea from Inter Milan, £97.5m)
- Jadon Sancho (Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund, £73m)
- Ben White (Arsenal from Brighton, £50m)
- Raphael Varane (Manchester United from Real Madrid, £41m)
THE ED
Former Manchester United transfer target Eduardo Camavinga joined Real Madrid during deadline day.
Camavinga moved from Rennes following a €40million (£34.4m) deal that saw him signing a six-year deal.
The midfielder was linked with a transfer to United among other clubs before becoming a Real player.
But reports suggest the France international only wanted to go to Spain all along
RON THE RIGHT TRACK
Juventus are reportedly set to save a significant amount of money after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
Ronaldo left Juve to return to Manchester United following a £12.9million deal, that is expected to include add-ons.
According to Calcio e Finanza, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s departure will contribute to the Bianconeri being €52.332million (£44.9m) better off.
Juventus, though, haven’t been able to sign a big star to replace the Portugal captain
JAMES FAREWELL
Daniel James bid farewell to Manhcester United after his move to Leeds.
James tweeted: “I always wore the @ManUtd shirt with honour and pride.
“Thank you to everyone at the club who I have worked with over the last 2 years.
“I’ve made fantastic friends and memories, but now is time to move on to the next step.
“All the best for the future!”
FIRST SNAPS
Manchester United have shared the first pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo wearing their jersey.
Ronaldo has returned to United from Juventus following a £12.9million deal, that is expected to include add-ons.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner comes back 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid.
More below:
RONALDO MESSAGE
Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a heartfelt message to Manchester United fans ahead of his imminent return to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo stated that United have always occupied a special place in his heart as that is where it all began for him.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also dedicated this transfer to legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Here’s what he posted on his Instagram:
RONALDO PREDICTION
Paul Merson believes Manchester United star signing Cristiano Ronaldo will bring goals but warned fans he’s not the same player they remember.
Merson told Sky Sports: “They will get goals. Put the ball in the box and he will score goals, there’s no doubt. But what the Manchester United fans need to remember is that this is not the Ronaldo who was embarrassing defenders when he was last at United. He is not going to get the ball out wide, do four stepovers, cut inside and score.
“I can’t wait to see him, but he is just not going to be the same player. He is not going to be able to run past too many defenders. Nobody gets better at that age.
“We have to remember that Juventus have let him go. They brought him in to win the Champions League. Last season, they didn’t even win Serie A”
NOT BEDTIME YET
The summer transfer window has slammed shut but there is still the “deal sheet”.
This allows a club to confirm that a deal has been reached and buys them extra time to submit all the documentation.
It gives those teams looking to get late business completed a further two hours, which means 1am on September 1 in this case.
But if a club is looking to complete an international transfer, they must still comply with the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) deadline of midnight
MAN UTD EXITS
Now let’s look back at those who left Manchester United either on a permanent deal or on loan:
Dan James (Leeds – £25m)
Tahith Chong (Birmingham – loan)
Joel Pereira (contract expired)
Sergio Romero (contract expired)
Nathan Bishop (Mansfield – loan)
Reece Devine (St Johnstone – loan)
Max Taylor (Rochdale – free)
Axel Tuanzebe (Aston Villa – loan)
Ethan Laird (Swansea – loan)
Dylan Levitt (Dundee United – loan)
Brandon Williams (Norwich – loan)
DONE DEALS
Let’s look back at Manchester United’s stunning summer transfer window, which saw them completing some incredible signings, including the return of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo:
Tom Heaton (Aston Villa – free)
Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund – £73m)
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid – £41m)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus – £12.9m)
TRANSFER WINDOW HAS SLAMMED SHUT IN THE UK!
UPCOMING FIXTURES
With no late deadline day drama, Manchester United fans can head to bed early, free from stress, and able to dream of the return of domestic football after the international break.
It’s sure to be a packed September too with the Red Devils facing a whopping six games in 18 days. Here’s how the action-packed schedule looks:
- Man Utd v Newcastle (Premier League, Sept 11)
- Young Boys v Man Utd (Champions League, Sept 14)
- West Ham v Man Utd (Premier League, Sept 19)
- Man Utd v West Ham (Carabao Cup, Sept 21)
- Man Utd v Aston Villa (Premier League, Sept 25)
- Man Utd v Villarreal (Champions League, Sept 29)
DAN DEPARTS
Daniel James completed his £25m move to Leeds United earlier today, but hasn’t left Old Trafford without wishing a fond farewell to those at Manchester United.
The Welsh winger has taken to social media to express his gratitude to those who have helped him during his time at United, bidding the club good luck as he acknowledges that the time is right to move on.
“I always wore the Man Utd shirt with honour and pride. Thank you to everyone at the club who I have worked with over the last two years.
“I’ve made fantastic friends and memories, but now is time to move on to the next step. All the best for the future!”
DE BEEK DENIED MOVE
Donny van de Beek has endured a miserable time since joining Manchester United from Ajax for £35m just under a year ago.
The Dutchman’s Old Trafford career got off to a promising start with a goal on his debut in a 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
However, since then, the 24-year-old has found his playing time severely limited, and in total he managed just 512 minutes of Premier League football during 2020-21.
As a result, his agent was keen to force a move away from United before the close of the transfer window this evening, and has tonight stated that there was plenty of interest from clubs in England, Germany and Italy – only for United to block a transfer at each opportunity.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suggested earlier this month that De Beek had a greater part to play this term, but the midfielder is yet to make it on to the pitch.
NUMBERS GAME
Eagle-eyed Manchester United fans have been frantically analysing the footage of Cristiano Ronaldo’s press shots to see if there is any hint as to whether the Portuguese legend will be reclaiming his famous number seven shirt.
The Old Trafford club would require special dispensation from the Premier League if Ronaldo is utilise his CR7 brand as Edinson Cavani has already been registered as the club’s number seven for the season.
In usual circumstances, it would be interesting to know whether a player of Cavani’s calibre would be so accommodating as to give up his number, but the Uruguayan could be convinced now that the number 21 shirt – previously worn by Daniel James – is available. The striker wears 21 when appearing for his country.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
