Ronaldo’s second debut for United in Newcastle tie
FANS EXCITED SINCE CR7’S STUNNING TRANSFER FROM JUVENTUS
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming at Manchester United has transformed the mood around Old Trafford with fans whipped into a frenzy of excitement for the return of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner against Newcastle today.
United swooped for Ronaldo late in the transfer window when it seemed he could cross the divide to join Premier League champions Manchester City from Juventus.
Even at 36, the Portuguese still appears to guarantee goals.
In the past year he has won the Golden Boot at Euro 2020 and in Italy’s Serie A, ahead of Romelu Lukaku, who joined Chelsea last month for €97 million ($134 million).
Transfer fee
Ronaldo will only cost United a transfer fee of up to $27 million due to his advancing age, but has signed a two-year contract on reportedly the highest wage in the Premier League.
Whether the expensive gamble pays off with a first Premier League or Champions League title since Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013 remains to be seen.
But the buzz surrounding Ronaldo’s return has already achieved one goal for the club’s owners, the Glazer family, in taking the focus off them.
“Manchester United fans are going to be rocking for the next six to 12 months because they are going to see one of their own come back,” said former United captain Gary Neville. “He will score goals and give them brilliant moments.”
Only four months ago, United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool was postponed after supporters, then still shut out from the stadium due to coronavirus
Manchester United fans are going to be rocking for the next six to 12 months because they are going to see one of their own come back. He will score goals and give them brilliant moments.” Gary Neville » Manchester United former captain
restrictions, stormed the Old Trafford pitch to protest.
The failed European Super League (ESL) project was the spark that lit a furious reaction from fans, but bad feeling towards the Glazers has lingered for many years.
Leveraged takeover
The Americans have owned United since a controversial leveraged takeover in 2005 saddled the club with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of debt.
As the English giants have paid off huge interest payments, the Glazers have still regularly drawn out millions in dividends from their shares. At the time, the protest movement against the ESL threatened to snowball into a more orchestrated campaign.