Cristiano Ronaldo has detailed his decision to return to Old Trafford in an interview on Manchester United’s club channel. The 36-year-old Portuguese attacker came over from Juventus in the last transfer window and signed for two years, with an option for another season. Ronaldo says Sir Alex Ferguson played an important role in his return.
Ronaldo is going for his second term at Manchester United, the club where he was already under contract between 2003 and 2009 before moving to Real Madrid. In the shirt of the Red Devils he won three English league titles and once the Champions League. “I have a wonderful history with this great club. I came here at the age of eighteen and I am happy to come home after twelve years. I am very happy and looking forward to my first game,” said Ronaldo, who can play in the home game against Newcastle United on Saturday 11 September after the international break.
“Sir Alex, this one is for you,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on his return to Manchester United. In a video on the club’s website, the Portuguese elaborates on his relationship with his former coach Ferguson. “When I signed for United at the age of 18, Ferguson was key. Sir Alex Ferguson is my football father. He has helped and taught me a lot,” said Ronaldo, emphasizing that Ferguson played an important role in his return to England. On the day of the transfer, the former coach called Ronaldo when he threatened to go to Manchester City. “He has played a big part, especially because of the bond we have. We have always kept in touch. He is an incredible person. I like him very much and he was the main key in my decision to sign for Manchester United.”
Ronaldo was strongly associated with Manchester City in the final phase of the transfer window. In the end United joined the fray and the choice fell on the red part of the city. “This is the best decision I could have made,” said Ronado, who wants to win new trophies in England. He hopes to do so under the leadership of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with whom he still played in his first period in England. “We talked for a while, but I will of course talk to him in more detail to find out what he expects,” said Ronaldo, who is currently preparing with the Portugal national team for the World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Azerbaijan.
“I played with Solskjaer at United for two or three years. We have a good relationship, but now we work together in a different role: I’m a player, he’s a trainer,” Ronaldo continues. “I came to Manchester to get results with the team. The coach can count on me, I’m open to anything.” After the game against Newcastle United, Ronaldo will join United in the Champions League. The Premier League club will compete in the billion-dollar ball against Villarreal, Atalanta and Young Boys.