Cristiano Ronaldo’s pining for Man Utd return as Juventus star ‘receives contract offer’
Euro 2020: Ronaldo coy on future amid Man Utd links
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The stars may just be aligning. Manchester United have reportedly offered Cristiano Ronaldo a two-year contract, with the Juventus star eager to leave Turin behind. And he previously admitted he’d love to return to Old Trafford, words that are worth reflecting on as transfer speculation ramps up.
We’ve been here before, of course.
Manchester United have been linked with Ronaldo just about every year since he upped and left for Real Madrid in 2009, dealing Sir Alex Ferguson an almighty blow in the process.
He did come close to returning in 2013, giving Ferguson his word. Except the retirement of the Scot changed things, with the Portugal international then choosing to stay put.
In the years since, Ronaldo to United has done the rounds regularly.
But the stars seem to be aligning this time around, with bolder claims emerging amid uncertainty over the 36-year-old’s future.
Firstly, it was claimed last year that United were interested in bringing Ronaldo back. Then it was claimed the Glazers themselves had talked with the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, about a blockbuster return.
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And, just today, La Gazzetta hello Sport have claimed Ronaldo has received a two-year contract offer from his old club.
They’re reportedly willing to give the 36-year-old €20million per annum, which works out roughly at £17.2m per year, or £330,000-a-week. Though he’s approaching the end of his career, he’s still as good as ever.
And what boosts United’s chances of signing Ronaldo are comments made by the veteran himself.
Speaking in 2014, a year after he’d knocked his old side out of the Champions League, the Portugal forward admitted he’d love to return to his old club.
While his comments could be construed as the forward suggesting as a visitor, the fact he’d already done that suggests he meant as a player.
“I love Manchester,” he pined.
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“Everyone knows that. Manchester is in my heart.
“The supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day.”
Now, one day may be today.
Ronaldo is a signing who would elevate United, giving them leadership and also an upgrade on Edinson Cavani – something that isn’t that easy to find given the Uruguay international’s fine goalscoring form throughout his career.
The Glazers need to get fans back on side after the European Super League debacle, especially now they’re communicating with supporters for the first time.
And Ronaldo needs a new club, one who can help him chase more silverware as he looks to etch his name further into the history books.
The veteran was asked about his future on Monday ahead of Portugal’s Euro 2020 opener against Hungary.
And he admitted he was relaxed over the speculation, insisting it was part and parcel of the sport.
“I have been playing at the highest level for many years, this doesn’t faze me,” said the former Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon star.
“Maybe if I was 18 or 19 I might have had some sleepless nights, but I’m 36.
“Whatever comes will be for the best regardless of staying at Juve or being transferred.
“The crucial thing now is the Euros, it is my fifth Euros, but for me it’s like my first Euros. We want to play a good match with good thoughts from the first to the last match.”
Ronaldo was also asked about Portugal’s hopes of winning the competition again, having reigned supreme at Euro 2016 by beating France in the final courtesy of Eder’s thunderbolt strike.
“As a team we don’t know yet [how it will be different to 2016],” said Ronaldo.
“It’s not the same tournament as 2016.
“This is a younger team with great potential. Only by playing will we know if it is better or worse than 2016.
“On a personal level, I am not the same player I was 18 years ago, or 10 years ago or five. We keep adjusting and adapting.
“The most intelligent thing about a footballer is the ability to adjust. I am more mature now. If a player wants to play for many years he needs to know how to adjust and adapt and the numbers speak for themselves.
“From 18 to 36 I have managed to adjust and adapt. I have always been able to win and on a collective level part of a team that has been able to win. I have shown that the key is to adjust all along my career.”
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