The clever question that pinned Solskjaer down over amazing Ronaldo return
Manchester United have sealed an unlikely transfer return for Cristiano Ronaldo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not help himself giving the game away in Friday.
United’s pre-match Zoom press conference was eagerly anticipated after news had started to break that United were in the running for their former talisman.
The news that Sir Alex Ferguson had been involved in speaking to the 36-year-old in the morning had signalled that United’s interest was real.
And as you might have expected the call was dominated by news of Ronaldo, who has looked set to go to Manchester City.
It was left though to Mike McGrath of The Daily Telegraph to pin Solskjaer against the wall with the final question on the call: “With one of the greatest players ever on the market, why would Manchester United not try for a player like that?”
“I didn’t think Cristiano was gonna turn out leaving Juventus,” Solskjaer replied. “And it’s been speculation this morning and the last few days.
“We’ve always had good communication. I know Bruno [Fernandes]’s been talking to him as well and he knows what we feel about him. And if he was ever gonna move away from Juventus he knows we’re here.”
Solskjaer got all nostalgic and said: “He is a legend of this club. The greatest player of all time if you ask me. I was fortunate enough to play with him. I coached him when I got my job. He almost retired me because that Wolverhampton game when I got injured he kept switching sides.
“He is such a tremendous human being as well. Let’s see what happens with Cristiano. Everyone who has played with him has a soft spot for him.”
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Man City snubbed
United are understood to have paid Juventus €15m, plus €8m in add ons. While a salary of £480,000 a week over two years has been drawn up.
The story sent the football world into meltdown and United’s official website that crashed in the evening.
While the statement pointed to Ronaldo yet needing to agree personal terms and gain a visa and pass a medical, all three are expected to happen.
Earlier this month, the Portugal international was offered to City by his agent Jorge Mendes.
City were thought to be keen to get a deal done for Ronaldo, but around 12pm City, communicated that they had ended their pursuit of him.
The Manchester Evening News report that “the truth was that Ronaldo’s interest ended the moment United contacted him”.
READ MORE: Man Utd still hot on long-term target, though failed signing must move first
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