Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured wearing Manchester United’s kit for the first time since sealing a return to Old Trafford this summer.
In an extraordinary turn of events last Friday, Ronaldo, 36, looked set to join fierce rivals Manchester City before changing his mind – with Sir Alex Ferguson and Rio Ferdinand intervening – and rejoining the Red Devils, 12 years after leaving the club.
The iconic forward, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Old Trafford and United have the option to extend his contract by another year.
And though Ronaldo’s new number is still yet to be revealed – with Edinson Cavani hanging on to the No.7 for the time being – a series of snaps from an official photoshoot were released on Tuesday night, showing the Portuguese proudly showing off the famous red of United once again.
Ronaldo was with United for years in his initial spell, helping the club win three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2007/08.
The attacker established himself as one of the greatest players in history across a phenomenal nine-year stay with Real Madrid before spending the next three years of his career in Italy with Juventus.
The Turin outfit finished last season down in fourth place but Ronaldo ended the campaign as the top scorer in the division with an incredible tally of 29 goals in 33 appearances.
Discussing his return for the first time earlier this week, Ronaldo said he was looking forward to playing in front of a rocking Theatre of Dreams once again.
‘Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday,’ Ronaldo told the club’s website.
‘I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again.
I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.’
On Ronaldo’s arrival, United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: ‘Of course the fans have been excited for the last couple of days, we all are of course. He has had such a great career and he has been here before.
‘He is going to give everybody a boost, of course. I played with him, he’s a great player, he is a top human being, he is a top professional, so he will give everybody in the squad and everybody around the club a buzz.’
Solskjaer is confident Ronaldo still has what it takes to take the Premier League by storm at the age of 36.
‘He’s a more experienced player than when he was here last time. He’s evolved and had an unbelievable career,’ the Norwegian added.
‘All the talk about how he’s too old… just make it personal and he’ll show what he can do.’
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from Football – Metro https://ift.tt/3zBGr6E
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