Cristiano Ronaldo meets up with his Portugal teammates including Bruno Fernandes for their World Cup qualifiers ahead of his completing his stunning move to Manchester United
- Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on a stunning return to Manchester United
- The Portuguese superstar underwent a medical in Lisbon over the weekend
- United have agreed a deal worth around £20m to sign him from Juventus
- He has joined with the Portuguese national squad ahead of his return
Cristiano Ronaldo has reported to duty for Portugal ahead of his stunning return to Manchester United.
After an incredible day of drama on Friday, it was announced the 36-year-old would return to Old Trafford after he was previously linked with a move to their neighbours Manchester City.
Since United announced they agreed a deal to sign him from Juventus, he successfully completed a medical in Lisbon over the weekend.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in training with Portugal ahead of his return to Manchester United
Ronaldo’s had completed a medical over the weekend after agreeing a return to Old Trafford
Terms have been agreed on a two-year deal and it’s been reported that United have also inserted a clause to extend the contract for a further season.
As United fan eagerly await the official confirmation of his return, he has been pictured in training for Portugal ahead of their World Cup qualifiers.
Ronaldo gave a thumbs up to the camera on a picture posted on Portugal’s official Twitter page.
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United back in 2009 to forge a record-breaking career
Manchester United fans are eagerly awaiting the official confirmation of Ronaldo’s return
He is training alongside Bruno Fernandes who is set to be one of his new teammates at Old Trafford.
Fernandes spoke to Ronaldo about the move and posted a caption of ‘agent Fernandes’ after United revealed they had agreed a deal.
Ronaldo will also train alongside Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias, all of which would have been his teammates had he decided to join Manchester City.
Portugal play the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, before facing 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in a friendly and Azerbaijan on September 7.
It is hoped Ronaldo will be available for United’s next game against Newcastle on September 11.
The transfer window closes tomorrow and the final touches are being put on visa details before Ronaldo’s return to United is officially completed.
Ronaldo is in training for Portugual with future Man United teammate Bruno Fernandes
It will be an emotional return for the Portuguese superstar who left the club 12 years ago to forge a record-breaking career at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo is expected to have agreed terms on a £480,000-a-week deal at United, which will make him the Premier League’s highest-paid player.
A three-year spell at United would see Ronaldo comfortably become the oldest player in the league. At present, that honour belongs to Chelsea defender Thiago Silva at 36 years, 11 months and five days.
Ronaldo is currently 36 years, six months and 11 days old, so when he joins he will be behind Silva at Chelsea.
The final touches are being put on visa details before Ronaldo’s move to United is officially done and the Old Trafford outfit can unveil the Portugal star ahead of his second spell at Old Trafford.
Portugal have two World Cup qualifiers and a friendly against Qatar before his return
Speaking prior to United’s 1-0 win over Wolves on Sunday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed Ronaldo to elevate the team to a new level.
‘Hopefully we can get the paperwork sorted and announce it,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He is a great player, a great human being. I’m excited to keep building this squad. He will bring something completely different.
‘Let’s get him back to United after the break and hopefully he’ll be involved as soon as possible. He will make us a better team.
‘Hopefully Cristiano can come in and show what he has done in his career. I am sure he likes all the talk about being old. Make it personal and he will show what he can do.’
