Cristiano Ronaldo is hailed as the ‘greatest player’ in football history by his new Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire… who also tips the superstar to have a ‘huge impact’ after sealing his ‘amazing’ return
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United return was made official on deadline day
- His new team-mate, and captain, Harry Maguire has praised the stunning switch
- Maguire hailed Ronaldo as the ‘greatest player’ and said he will improve the team
- Ronaldo has also been tipped by Maguire to have a large influence off the pitch
Cristiano Ronaldo has been hailed as the ‘greatest player’ in the history of football by his new Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has made a sensational return to Old Trafford over a decade on from leaving, signing a two-year deal worth an initial £12.9million.
United were quick to react after it appeared their former talisman would be heading to fierce rivals City instead, and captain Harry Maguire hailed the signing.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been lauded as the ‘greatest player to play the game’ by Harry Maguire
Maguire is also hopeful that Ronaldo will have an influence both on and off the pitch in the club’s quest for silverware this season.
‘Yeah, of course, it’s amazing,’ Maguire said at a press conference ahead of England’s hat-trick of World Cup qualifiers this month.
‘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 and, for me, he is the greatest player to play the game.
Maguire is a team-mate of Ronaldo’s at Manchester United after his sensational homecoming
‘It’s amazing to have him at the club and I’m sure he’s going to have a huge impact on and off the field, and many players can look and learn and improve, and then, obviously, it’s going to improve our team as well with his goalscoring record.
‘So it’s amazing to have him in the club and I’m looking forward to meeting him in a few days.’
United released an interview with Ronaldo today after his homecoming was officially unveiled on deadline day, and the now 36-year-old has also posed in their new kit.
Speaking to the club’s in-house media channel, Ronaldo opened up on his reasons behind joining them from Juventus, and the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ronaldo, speaking to MUTV, delved into his reasons behind joining United for a second spell
Sir Alex Ferguson was praised by Ronaldo in the interview after helping influence the switch
‘As everybody knows, since I signed at 18, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key,’ he told MUTV.
‘I remember when we played against Manchester when I was at Sporting Lisbon. For me, Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father in football for me.
‘He helped me a lot, he taught me many things, and in my opinion of course he had a big role because the relationship that we had, we keep in touch all the time, and he’s an unbelievable person.
United captain Maguire also believes Ronaldo will help keep standards high on and off the field
‘I really like him a lot and he was the main key for me to be in the position that I am, that I signed for Manchester United.’
Ronaldo posted an emotional message to the club on social media after penning his lucrative contract, and signed off with: ‘PS – Sir Alex, this one is for you…’
Brought to United from Sporting Lisbon by Ferguson, Ronaldo went on to win three Premier League titles, the Champions League, one FA Cup and two League Cups.
Ronaldo scored countless goals in his first stint and is tipped to lead United to trophies again
He also scored 84 top-flight goals during his first stint before heading to Real Madrid, and looks a certainty to reach the 100-mark before end of the campaign.
He will join up with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former team-mate of his, and the rest of United’s squad after the international break and may play against Newcastle.
It has not yet been revealed, however, whether Ronaldo will be able to take his iconic No 7 jersey. Edinson Cavani currently sports the number.
