MAGUIRE: RONALDO GREATEST EVER STAR

Harry Maguire considers Cristiano Ronaldo to be the best footballer of all time and cannot wait to line up alongside the returning Manchester United great.

Shockwaves were sent around the footballing world on Friday as the Old Trafford giants swept in to strike a deal with Juventus for the 36-year-old, just as the forward appeared to be edging towards rivals Manchester City.

Ronaldo completed the move on deadline day, signing a two-year deal with the option of a further season at a club where he is revered thanks to a memorable, successladen stint between 2003 and 2009.

The Portuguese is set to receive a hero’s welcome when he makes his second United debut against Newcastle after the international break, with captain Maguire ecstatic to see the forward sign.

“It’s amazing,” the defender said. “Obviously I’m away with England at the moment so my focus is on the game tomorrow but for him to sign back for the club (is amazing).

“For me, the greatest player to play the game. It’s amazing to have him at the club.”

Maguire’s excitement at Ronaldo’s arrival has been put on the back-burner as he prepares to line-up in England’s first match since the Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.

The wounds from July’s penalty shoot-out defeat at Wembley remain raw but attention turns to building on their summer progress when resuming their World Cup qualification campaign in Hungary tonight.

“Obviously it ended in disappointment but the journey and the memories that we made, the smiles that we put on people’s faces were there for everyone to see,” Maguire said.