Cristiano Ronaldo risks ruining Man Utd’s long-term transfer plan after Man City snub

Transfer deadline day: Premier League round-up

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When Cristiano Ronaldo announced he would be returning to Manchester United, it sent shockwaves around the globe. Indeed, it was a decision which left Red Devils fans ecstatic, after they snatched the Portuguese star from Man City’s grasp.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was unveiled as a United player on deadline day, despite his agent, Jorge Mendes, having reportedly been in contact with the Premier League champions over a potential deal to sign his client.

However, a call with former boss Sir Alex Ferguson was enough to convince the 36-year-old to return to Old Trafford.

Ferguson signed Ronaldo from Sporting in 2003 as a youngster and under his leadership he became a global superstar.

“As everybody knows, since I signed for Manchester [United] at 18, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key,” Ronaldo told MUTV.

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“I remember when we played against Manchester when I was at Sporting Lisbon.

“For me, Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father in football for me. He helped me a lot, he taught me many things, and in my opinion of course he had a big role because the relationship that we had, we keep in touch all the time, and he’s an unbelievable person.

“I really like him a lot and he was the main key for me to be in the position that I am, that I signed for Manchester United.”

Whiie Ronaldo will no doubt bring a welcomed boost for United up top, signing the star could prevent the English giants from going after Erling Haaland next summer.

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United had been linked with a move to sign the Borussia Dortmund forward in the transfer window, but the Norwegian opted to stay in Germany.

Haaland is expected to leave Dortmund next summer when his £64million release clause becomes active.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer already knows the striker well after managing Haaland when the pair were at Molde.

Premier League champions City meanwhile, have still not signed a direct replacement for Sergio Aguero – who left the club for Barcelona in June – and will be desperate to sign Haaland next summer.

City had been linked with a move to sign Harry Kane all summer but the 28-year-old confirmed he was staying at Spurs last week.

Gabriel Jesus remains as the only recognised striker at the club, while Ferran Torres has been used in a more advanced role in City’s first three Premier League games.

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While Ronaldo is no doubt one of the greatest players of all time, at 36, the Portugal international is certainly not getting any younger.

Haaland, 21, has his whole future ahead of him and would have been more of a long-term investment for the club.

Solskjaer currently plays with just one striker which means it is unlikely that the pair would play together.

Not only would United have to finance the deal, but Haaland is unlikely to be willing to play second fiddle to Ronaldo.

The Portuguese star will be at the club for at least two seasons, with the potential of staying on another year.

Ronaldo will undoubtably give United what they need in the short term, but it may prevent them from going after their original target next summer.

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