Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Red Devils agree deal for Ronaldo
Portuguese star to return to Old Trafford 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid
MANCHESTER United have agreed a deal for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the club from Juventus.
The 36-year-old, pictured, is set to come back to Old Trafford 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid.
United said the deal was subject to the agreement of personal terms, a visa and a medical.
A United statement revealed: “Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester.”
Ronaldo had been heavily linked with a move to United’s neighbours Manchester City.
City were offered the 36-year-old, who had made it clear he wanted to leave Juventus, and were considered front-runners for his signature, but decided the deal was not one they wished to pursue.
United only appeared to become an option when boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held his press conference yesterday and said their former star “knows that we’re here”.
Solskjaer said: “We’ve always had a good communication – I know Bruno (Fernandes) has been talking to him as well. He knows what we feel about him and if he was ever going to move away from Juventus, he knows that we’re here. He’s such a tremendous human being as well. Everyone who has played with him, I think, has a soft spot for him.”
Ronaldo scored 118 goals during six seasons at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009, helping the club win three Premier League titles and a Champions League, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup, two League Cups and one FA Cup. His usual number seven shirt, however, is already occupied by Edinson Cavani.
JOEY Barton has given a blunt verdict on Bristol Rovers’ chances of replacing Brandon Hanlan after the striker’s move to Wycombe Wanderers.
The Pirates sold the 24-year-old to League One side Wycombe on Thursday for a fee understood to be £150,000, plus add-ons and a sell-on clause, after weeks of intense interest from clubs in the third tier.
His departure leaves Rovers short of options up top, with Aaron Collins and Harvey Saunders the only real starting options with Brett Pitman’s playing time compromised by an ankle injury.
Signing a striker remains Rovers’ top priority of the remaining days of the transfer window, which shuts at 11pm on Tuesday, but ahead of today’s trip to Barrow he said it would be challenging.
“It’s going to be really tough,” said Barton. “The marketplace is scarce at the minute. There was a lot of interest in Bran over the summer, but credit to him he was always straight down the line with me.
“I think the fact he had the expiration date on his contract ticking away in the background, and we took him on a compensation (deal) which we had to pay in the summer, and within a short period he’s going to be a free transfer and be available to go, it was not an ideal situation.
“We’re already short of strikers and Bran going has left us a bit short in that department, so there is work to do, but the financial package for the club has been accepted.
“That goes outside my pay grade and is handed over further up the hierarchy. They feel it’s a good deal for the club, and I can’t disagree.”
Rovers have free agent veteran striker Leon Clarke training with them, and should the club be inclined to offer him a deal there is no absolute rush to push it through, with out-of-contract players able to sign after the deadline.
Barton says he is “gutted” to see Hanlan depart, but he sees the sense in the deal for all parties.
The manager said: “You have to see it from both perspectives. Bran is also closer to home. I think he’s going to move back in with his mum and get some home cooking.
“He’s going to play in a higher division for a settled manager in Gareth Ainsworth, who will be trying to get out of League One again and into the Championship.
“I can understand it for all parties. Bran has always been great with me. He’s tried his hardest when he’s played for me on a matchday.
“We’re gutted to see him go, but we understand it, and wish him every success in the future.”
Meanwhile, Rovers midfielder Ben Liddle has joined Scottish secondtier side Queen of the South.
The 22-year-old has moved to the Dumfries club on a season-long loan, with the switch subject to international clearance.
Rovers themselves themselves head in a similar direction today, with an away trip to Barrow, who are managed by former Forest Green head coach Mark Cooper.