Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make his second Manchester United debut against Newcastle United on Saturday, Sept. 11, following the international break for World Cup qualifiers.
Manchester United announced on Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo is joining the Red Devils after 12 years and will officially be part of the team pending medical and visa formalities. The Portugal star returned to Manchester United on a two-year deal for a reported fee of €23 million. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the club will pay €15 million with €8 million in add-ons as the transfer fee to Juventus for the 36-year-old.
Manchester United fans will have to wait a couple of weeks to see Cristiano Ronaldo in a red shirt again
Manchester United will be in action this weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers. But Ronaldo will not be a part of that match. According to the Premier League rules, the players must be registered by 12 pm on the final working day before the next League game to play in that match. In Ronaldo’s case, he is still yet to formally agree to personal terms, visa, and pass a medical by midday on Friday. So, he is ineligible for Sunday’s game against Wolves at Molineux.
Ronaldo is expected to take part in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers as the captain of Portugal. He will play against the Republic of Ireland on September 1 and at Azerbaijan (Sept. 7). There will also be a friendly match against Qatar on Sept. 4.
Ronaldo returns to Manchester United
Ronaldo joined Manchester United for the first time in 2003 with a fee of £12 million ($16.5 million). On 16 August 2003, Ronaldo announced himself to English football against Bolton and scored his first goal against Portsmouth.
In his first spell for Manchester United, The Portugal star spent six seasons at Old Trafford from 2003-2009. Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2007/08, the season he helped the Red Devils claim their last UEFA Champions League title. Ronaldo has claimed eight trophies including three Premier League titles plus the Ballon d’Or with Red Devils.