The story of Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United began in mid July, after EURO 2020, and it wasn’t as romantic as it looks now. After the tournament was over, the Portuguese was not keen on returning to Juventus, so he asked his super agent Jorge Mendes to ’sniff’ around for a possible transfer. Mendes did what he was asked to do, and called United, City, PSG, Real and Chelsea. Nobody was keen, so Ronaldo sent a post on his Instagram account, basically accusing everybody who was writing about his departure from Turin. He was lying. 10 days after that post, he was off.But what happened during those 10 days? First and foremost, Harry Kane happened. When the last Manchester City bid to Tottenham for the England number 9 failed, the situation changed. Mendes so a chance to offer his client to the Citizens again. And a number people in the City board were reluctant to sign the 36 years old Manchester United forward, as their policy for years have been to sign young players. Pep Guardiola was not keen either, and he reportedly didn’t offer the former Real Madrid striker any guarantees at City. La Repubblica reports Guardiola told Ronaldo over the phone that “if you can come, we will try to live together. But I can’t guarantee you anything”. But Ronaldo wanted out of Juventus and Mendes was pushing for the transfer, even when City informed him that they don’t want to pay any fee to Juve.Winners and losers in Ronaldo transfer to United: Are there any losers?Ronaldo then told Allegri he wants to leave just before Udinese match, so the Italian had to leave him on the bench and reply to numerous questions why did he do it. Allegri made some excuses, but didn’t want to say anything. Then, former Juventus legend, and now vice-president Pavel Nedved again said that Ronaldo is not going.“We mustn’t try to create sensational stories where there aren’t any. I can absolutely confirm Ronaldo will remain at Juventus this season” said Nedved, who obviously doesn’t have a problem lying to the media and becoming a laughing stock with the fans just days after, when Ronaldo did leave. The talks continued, as Juve wanted 4 billion Ksh, and City didn’t want to pay a dime. It was a stalemate.18.30: (4.40) Wolverhampton (3.50) Man.Utd. (1.85)Mendes spent Thursday morning trying to convince both parties to meet in the middle. When no agreement could be struck, Mendes phoned United once more to see if they are interested. The move had accelerated thanks to a series of calls from Ronaldo’s current and former teammates including Bruno Fernandes and Rio Ferdinand. United and Mendes reached a verbal agreement over personal terms for a two-year contract late on Thursday night and Juventus agreed for a 2 billion fee, eventually rising to 2.5.“Speaking with Ronaldo, Cristiano told me he has no intention of continuing with Juventus. This is why he will not be called up tomorrow, he didn’t train yesterday and now we can talk about Empoli” Allegri said at a press conference on Thursday. Just few hours after, it was all over, and Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew, but was not going to relevel anything, until his former teammate signs the contract. Three times the journalist asked him about Ronaldo, and three times he managed to reply without saying anything. Then, the final question was: „Why, if one of the greatest players in the world was available, would Manchester United not at least try to sign him?“. The Norwegian then replied:”I didn’t think Cristiano would leave Juventus. There has been speculation. We have always had a good communication. I know Bruno has been talking to him as well. He knows what we feel about him. If he was ever going to move away from Juventus, he knows we are here” said Solskjaer, already knowing that everything is finished.Sir Alex Ferguson waiting for Cristiano Ronaldo like a proud dad after his EURO 2016 victory. ⚽🇵🇹pic.twitter.com/u8rJIoEjXl— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 27, 2021 But Ronaldo’s mentor and a “second father”, sir Alex Ferguson, also had a major role. Ferguson is understood to have reached out to Ronaldo on Friday morning after which United made their offer an official one. Ferguson attended Ronaldo’s film premiere in London in 2015. Five months after he suffered a brain haemorrhage, Ferguson ventured to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where Juventus were staying ahead of their Champions League group stage tie with United in October 2018, to reunite with Ronaldo. So you can imagine what is the bond between sir Alex and Ronaldo. Whatever doubts the Portuguese had, his former coach resolved them and the deal was on. Will this second marriage end in tears or in joy, remains to be seen. But once again, sir Alex was called for the rescue and he made it.PREMIER LEAGUE – Round 3SaturdayManchester City – Arsenal 5-0 (3-0)/Gundogan 7. Torres 12, 85 Jesus 43, Rodri 53/Newcastle – Southampton 2-2 (0-0)/Wilson 55, Saint-Maximin 90 – Elyounoussi 74, Ward-Prowse 90+6/Norwich – Leicester 1-2 (1-1)/Pukki 44 pen – Vardy 8, Albrighton 76/Aston Villa – Brentford 1-1 (1-1)/Buendia 13 – Toney 7/West Ham – Crystal Palace 2-2 (1-0)/Fornals 39, Antonio 68 – Gallagher 58, 70/Brighton – Everton 0-2 (0-1)/Gray 41, Calvert-Lewin 58 pen/Liverpool – Chelsea 1-1 (1-1)/Salah 45+5 pen – Havertz 22/Sunday16.00: (1.55) Tottenham (4.00) Watford (6.25)16.00: (2.90) Burnley (3.35) Leeds (2.45)18.30: (4.40) Wolverhampton (3.50) Man.Utd. (1.85)***odds are subject to change
