Manchester United 'had NO INTEREST in signing Cristiano Ronaldo' this summer before City prospect

Manchester United ‘had NO INTEREST in signing Cristiano Ronaldo’ this summer, but moved to buy him at the 11th hour because they ‘couldn’t bear the prospect of him playing for City’

  • Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a medical ahead of his Man United return 
  • The forward’s representatives were in advanced talks with Man City last week 
  • United were said to be content with re-signing Cavani and bringing in Sancho 
  • But that all reportedly changed when it appeared Ronaldo was destined for City 


Manchester United had no intention of signing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer but made a late move for him because they could not bear the thought of him playing for Man City, according to reports.

The 36-year-old edged a step closer to completing his sensational return to Old Trafford from Juventus at the weekend after undergoing a medical in Lisbon.

It is the latest development in what has been a whirlwind week for the Portugal star, which began with his representatives entering into advanced talks with the Premier League champions. 

Man United had no intention of signing Cristiano Ronaldo initially

But it is said they made their move after hearing rivals Man City were interested in signing him from Juventus

Manchester United had no initial intention of re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus this summer

They reportedly made their move because they could not bare the prospect of him playing under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, reports claim

They reportedly made their move because they could not bare the prospect of him playing under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, reports claim

Manchester Evening News report as of Friday morning, City were the only club interested in signing the former Real Madrid star.

United appeared content with their attacking options having tied Edinson Cavani down to a new deal and signed Jadon Sancho for £73million from Borussia Dortmund.

But the report adds Old Trafford players and chiefs then whirred into action when it appeared the Portuguese was all set for a move to the Etihad Stadium, with the club unable to deal with the fact he could end up at their rivals.

Current midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo’s former team-mates Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Darren Fletcher texted him after he had spoken with former boss Sir Alex Ferguson about returning to the club.

Sancho joined in a £73m deal from Borussia Dortmund

Cavani signed a one-year extension in May

United were said to be content with their forward options after re-signing Edinson Cavani (R) and bringing in Jadon Sancho (L)

But the United hierarchy made their move once it appeared Ronaldo was all set to move to City

But the United hierarchy made their move once it appeared Ronaldo was all set to move to City

And the same outlet adds once Ronaldo was informed of United’s reported two-year contract offer – which will see him earn an eyewatering £480,000 per week – he ended any interest in joining the blue half of Manchester.

The report also claims the move was given the go-ahead by the club’s Glazer owners, who views Ronaldo’s return as a way of getting the fans back on their side, having feared the repercussions if he had ended up signing for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Terms have been agreed on between Ronaldo and United, according to Sky Sports, and the club have also inserted a clause to extend the contract for a further season. They will pay around £20m to Juventus.

The final touches are being put on visa details before Ronaldo’s move to United is officially done and the Old Trafford outfit can unveil the Portugal star ahead of his second spell at Old Trafford.

The Glazers gave the move the go-ahead, believing it could get supporters back on their side

The Glazers gave the move the go-ahead, believing it could get supporters back on their side

Ronaldo reportedly held a conversation with former boss Sir Alex Ferguson (right)

Ronaldo reportedly held a conversation with former boss Sir Alex Ferguson (right)

Wages of nearly £500,000 per week will comfortably make him the Premier League’s highest-paid player, but the Old Trafford faithful will have to wait until at least September 11 for the Portuguese to make his second club debut.

Speaking prior to United’s 1-0 win over Wolves on Sunday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed Ronaldo to elevate the team to a new level.

‘Hopefully we can get the paperwork sorted and announce it,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He is a great player, a great human being. I’m excited to keep building this squad. He will bring something completely different.

‘Let’s get him back to United after the break and hopefully he’ll be involved as soon as possible. He will make us a better team.

International team-mate Bruno Fernandes (R) is also said to have texted the Portuguese

International team-mate Bruno Fernandes (R) is also said to have texted the Portuguese

‘Hopefully Cristiano can come in and show what he has done in his career. I am sure he likes all the talk about being old. Make it personal and he will show what he can do.’

A three-year spell at United would see Ronaldo comfortably become the oldest player in the league. At present, that honour belongs to Chelsea defender Thiago Silva at 36 years, 11 months and five days.

Ronaldo is currently 36 years, six months and 11 days old, so when he joins he will be behind Silva at Chelsea. 

source: dailymail.co.uk