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DEADLINE DAY has been and gone with Manchester United completing the huge signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.

And the club have confirmed Ronaldo WILL wear his famous number 7 shirt, despite it being initially assigned to Edinson Cavani.

The Portugal captain will even head back to Manchester early as he is suspended for his country’s next game after taking his shirt off in the celebrations from their 2-1 win over Ireland on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho has been injured on England duty and United are waiting to see the extent of his problems.

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Get all the latest Man Utd news, updates and transfer gossip here…

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 17:23

MAGUIRE NETS IN ENGLAND ROMP

Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire nodded England’s third goal as they outclassed Hungary 4-0 after a goalless first 55 minutes.

Livewire Raheem Sterling slotted the opener and Harry Kane nodded the second but unusually missed two clear chances.

Central-defender Maguire shone alongside United team-mate Luke Shaw, admittedly in an England backline largely untroubled.

And Maguire plus Declan Rice saw efforts fumbled in by previously-impressive Hungary keeper Peter Gulacsi.

United midfieler Jesse Lingard came on for Mason Mount after 84 minutes – time enough to see Rice’s long-ranger make it 4-0 but not ample to get involved himself.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 16:03

REAL COULD BID FOR MBAPPE AND ERLING

Real Madrid will consider bidding for BOTH Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, reports in Spain claim.

The LaLiga giants are already tipped to come back in for PSG’s France striker Mbappe in January.

But it was thought Manchester City and United, plus possibly Chelsea, would lead the hunt for Borussia Dortmund’s supreme finisher Haaland.

Marca, though, suggest Real believe they will be in a position to bring back their “Galactico” policy of mega marquee signings.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 15:31

SEVEN UP FOR RON CONFIRMED

Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the No7 shirt once again for Manchester United.

The Old Trafford giants have confirmed the striker’s return to his old shirt number after seeking special permission from the Premier League.

Edinson Cavani had already donned the shirt in the weekend’s win at Wolves – and league rules asserted that Ronaldo could not take the slot.

But an exception has been made and the man known as CR7 is able to keep his monicker.

United may have called upon a precedent set in 2011 when Yossi Benayoun’s brief outing in Chelsea’s No10 shirt was not enough to deny new signing Juan Mata the jersey.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 15:05

‘JAMES TO LEEDS IS WIN-WIN’

Gary Neville believes Daniel James’ £25million transfer from Manchester United to Leeds United is a win-win for all concerned.

Neville thinks James will be perfect for Marcelo Bielsa’s brand of high energy, counter-attacking football – and that the deal is also very good for Manchester United.

He said: “It’s really good for Dan James. It’s one of those where this is a win-win. He came to United and always did his very best, he was a massive threat on the counter-attack, but they have a lot of players in those areas.

“It’s really important for young players to go and play, and Leeds have always wanted him. They wanted him the first time around when United got him instead.

“He’ll suit the way they play with such pace on the counter-attack. He’ll love it there, the crowd’s a big crowd, a club that demands a lot.

“It’s a good thing for United to get the money they did, and good for Dan to further his career at a good club.”

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 14:33

DON’T PUT YOUR SHIRT RON IT

ItT is the shirt every Manchester United fan wants – but the club are facing a nightmare shortage of replica Cristiano Ronaldo replica kits.

The legendary Portuguese forward completed his remarkable return to Old Trafford on Tuesday’s transfer deadline day from Juventus.

Supporters are already counting down the seconds until they see the 36-year-old in action for the Red Devils again with the icon’s second coming due to be against Newcastle on Saturday week.

However, not many of those lucky enough to be in the Theatre of Dreams are likely to sporting United’s shirt donned with the name and number of their messiah.

The Independent claims the shortage is ‘due to Covid-influenced delays in Adidas’ supply line coinciding with the rush’ after the signing of Ronaldo.

They had already experienced a significant slowdown in production due to the closure of factories in Vietnam – which could cause a potentially four-month delay.

The Asian nation normally contributes 28 per cent of Adidas’ total production.

The sports manufacturer had made a contingency but today’s report claims that Ronaldo’s comeback to United has changed the situation with a drop-off now expected.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 14:22

‘RON TOLD ME A MONTH AGO HE’D JOIN UTD’

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov claims Cristiano Ronaldo told him he was returning to Manchester United ‘a MONTH ago’.

Ron, 36, completed a stunning move to Old Trafford from Juventus on deadline day.

And he is now set to make his second Man Utd debut in front of a raucous home crowd against Newcastle on September 11.

The nature of the transfer shocked many in the game, with Ronaldo instead linked with United’s fierce rivals Man City.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opened the door for Ronaldo at his press conference last week.

And on the same day United revealed they had agreed a deal for the Portugal legend to return home.

However, close friend Khabib was not surprised by the transfer.

The Russian MMA icon says he was informed by Ronaldo himself about a Man Utd move a month ago.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 14:14

TOB GUN?

Tobin Heath could be set for a stunning switch to Arsenal following her impressive single season at Manchester United, writes SANDRA BROBBEY.

Telegraph Sport claims the North London giants are close to signing the two-time World Cup winner who is currently a free agent.

And it is reported discussions around a two-year deal between the club and the USA superstar, 33, have been productive.

It is thought the winger is a big supporter of Arsenal.

And the American’s move on a free transfer means she does not have to complete the deal the before the midnight deadline for WSL transfers involving overseas players.

Heath, who has 177 USA international caps, won plaudits for her performances for United during their league campaign last season.

The versatile forward, who began her senior career with the New Jersey Wildcats, netted four goals in eight top-flight appearances for Man United last season.

And one of her most memorable efforts was a thumping top corner strike against Man City which helped her side earn a valuable draw in the league against their neighbours.

However, an injury to Heath’s ankle in January saw her sidelined.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 13:54

JAMES MAKES RARE PROFIT FOR UTD

Manchester Unitef made a £10million profit after selling Dan James to rivals Leeds United for an initial £25m on deadline day.

The Wales international, 23, is just the fifth player the Red Devils have made money on in the last decade.

Man Utd signed James from Swansea City for an initial £15m in July 2019 but have gone on to make their money back after their recent sale.

Fans will be surprised to find out the club also made a profit from selling flop Alexander Buttner to Dynamo Moscow in June 2014.

United signed the left-back from Dutch side Vitesse for £4m two years earlier and sold him for a reported £5.6m.

Buttner managed just 13 unconvincing Premier League appearances and is yet to get another chance at a big club.

Another surprise profit was Daley Blind, signed from Ajax for £14m in August 2014 before featuring 90 times in the Prem.

Blind was flogged back to his former side four years later, with United making up to £4.5m from the shrewd sale.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 13:18

KATRINA PICS SEALED WITH A CRIS

Manchester United-mad glamour model Katrina Maria has promised to share sizzling matchday pictures following Cristiano Ronaldo’s return.

The Portugal legend sealed his second spell at Old Trafford on deadline day.

And, after leaving international duty due to suspension, Ronnie is set to make his second debut against Newcastle on September 11.

One United supporter who is especially happy is model Maria.

Dubbed the club’s ‘sexiest fan’, she urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in JUNE to pull off a stunning transfer for Ronaldo.

And Maria has now promised some raunchy social media photos to celebrate.

She told the Daily Star: “I am so happy. I have been waiting for the day he would return, and I can’t believe he is here now.

“I will post more photos. I’m planning on getting the new home shirt, with his name and number on it.”

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 13:10

UTD LEAD EURO CLUBS’ SPENDING

Premier League clubs have blown their European counterparts away in the spending stakes post-Covid.

A new CIES Football Observatory study has detailed how England’s big boys have spent lavishly on new players in comparison to those in LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.

That is despite the coronavirus pandemic crippling their revenues.

In total, the net spent was just over £1.6billion in the three pandemic transfer windows with Serie A (£255m) the closest to follow the Prem.

Manchester United, who secured the return of the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo this week, topped the spending charts with a net outlay of £187m during that period.

France’s Ligue 1 (£109m) and Germany’s Bundesliga (£6.8m) both only made tiny net spends in comparison – with Spain’s LaLiga incredibly even making a net profit of £171m.

The dominance of the Premier League is largely down to the huge outlay by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United.

The Red Devils boast the biggest net spend having splashed the cash to bring in the likes of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Ronaldo this summer.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 12:55

PREM SQUADS VALUED

Arsenal may have spent the most in the summer transfer market but their splurge has left them with only the seventh most-valuable squad.

Mikel Arteta’s side pumped £121million into the window, signing the likes of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard.

But figures from trusted aggregator Transfermarkt show the Gunners’ squad value is still only just above that of Everton, who spent barely a penny.

Leading the way having broken the British transfer record are Manchester City, with a set of stars pushing towards the £1billion mark.

Jack Grealish’s arrival was offset by the sales of Lukas Nmecha, Jack Harrison and Ivan Ilic, while Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia left for free.

Remarkably, the defending champions are worth almost £100m more than second-placed Manchester United despite having SIX fewer players.

The Red Devils’ 28-strong squad tallies up to £843.5m, which includes the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo and his £40m ‘worth’ – double what the club paid for the goalscoring sensation.

Chelsea and Liverpool can barely be split at just above £790m in third and fourth respectively, before a £150m-plus drop to Tottenham in fifth.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 12:15

TITLE PRESSURE IS ALL RON UTD NOW

Joe Cole insists all the pressure is RON Manchester United to win the Prem now that Cristiano Ronaldo is back.

Having extolled Ron’s virtues – as in our last post below – ex-Liverpool playmaker Cole believes United’s squad now has the all-round ability to challenge champs Man City.

Coral ambassador Cole said: “If it wasn’t clear before, United will know now that the Premier League title is a must win for this group of players.

“I thought they had strengthened their squad well already but with Ronaldo adding to the quality they have brought through the door, they have to go and win it.”

But Coral still list United ‘only’ 9-2 joint third favourites with Liverpool for the title.

City are out on their own at 6-5, followed by 13-5 bets Chelsea.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 12:04

COLE: MAN UTD BIGGEST CLUB IN ENGLAND AGAIN

Manchester United MUST win the Prem as Cristiano Ronaldo’s return finally makes them England’s biggest club again, Joe Cole claims.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Cole rates capturing five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ron from Juventus a “stroke of genius”.

The ambassador for bookie Coral said: “Manchester United are now back front and centre as the biggest club in the country after signing Ronaldo.

“They have the biggest player in the league, with the biggest global reach, playing for them.

“It is a stroke of genius to bring him back to Old Trafford.”

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 11:37

I’M STILL EVRA SO EXCITED BY CRIS

Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Manchester United team-mate Patrice Evra is still bubbling with “excitement” at the master’s return.

This tweet reads like any fan’s…

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 11:21

BANNED RON’S RETURN BOOSTS UTD

Cristiano Ronaldo has been released from international duty after being banned for Portugal’s next World Cup qualifier.

Manchester United have now received a huge boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Newcastle after the news was confirmed on Thursday.

Ronaldo, 36, was handed a one-match suspension after being booked as he celebrated his record-setting late double in Portugal’s 2-1 comeback win against the Republic of Ireland.

And it saw him ruled out of Tuesday’s trip to Azerbaijan.

But Ronaldo will no longer have to stick around with Portugal, who first face Qatar in a friendly on Saturday, and is allowed to head for Carrington.

A statement from the Portuguese FA read: “Cristiano Ronaldo was excused from the national team on Thursday.

“The yellow card against Ireland, being the second in this stage of qualification, forces him to fulfil an official game of suspension, which will happen against Azerbaijan.

“This morning, the captain of the national team was part of the group of players who carried out recovery work at the hotel.”

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 10:44

ANGEL SAYS GAAL WAS A DEVIL

Angel Di Maria tore into Louis van Gaal as he explained why inheriting the No 7 top from legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, George Best was never his big problem at Manchestr United.

In fact, to put it politely, the PSG winger has fiercely contrasitng views on United’s ex boss and arguably their most famous shirt number…

The 111-cap Argentina star, 33, said: “I didn’t give a f*** about the Manchester United No 7 shirt.. my problem in Manchester was the coach.

Van Gaal was the worst of my career.

“I would score, assist, and the next day he would show me my misplaced passes..

“He didn’t like players being more than him.”

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 10:24

HOW ED TALKED GLAZERS INTO BUYING RON

Ed Woodward played a crucial role in ensuring the most incredible return in football history happened.

Sir Alex Ferguson is understandably hailed for his role in getting Cristiano Ronaldo back with his late phone call to the player.

But it would not have got near that point without Executive Vice-Chairman Woodward convincing the club’s owners and sponsors in a whirlwind 48 hours that it all made sense.

Forget the transfer fee for Ronaldo that comes to less than £20million.

It was the commitment to a wage of £75million if he completes the full three years of his contract, for a player who would be 39 at the end of it. To a bean-counter that just did not make sense.

But while sponsors and the owning Glazer family may look at the bottom line it was Woodward who convinced them how it would work on and off the pitch.

United fans often ridicule the club for the endless signing up of sponsors – they have 24 – and when executives point to social media figures.

Woodward convinced them this Ronaldo deal would really work for them.

And in the 24 hours after the announcement of Ronaldo’s return on social media was the most liked by a sports team ever with 12.9million likes.

The announcement on Twitter alone was likewise with 862,000 retweets and two million likes. They earned more than 3.7m new followers across the club’s social channels.

Ian Tuckey

2nd Sep 2021, 10:19

SOLSKJAER ‘BLOCKED 5 STARS FROM LEAVING’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly blocked five players from leaving Manchester United during the summer transfer window.

According to The Mirror, he blocked moves for some of United’s fringe players, who were already struggling for playing time, to keep his squad depth high over the season.

Donny van de Beek is the most notable name that Solskjaer stopped from leaving over the summer.

Diogo Dalot also saw a potential loan move blocked after returning from Italy.

Anthony Elanga had also harboured hopes of leaving on loan to gain some experience, but Solskjaer believed his development was best served in Manchester.

Kealan Hughes

2nd Sep 2021, 09:37

TITLE AIM

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof has insisted that he is excited by the competition created by the summer arrival of Raphael Varane.

The Swede has had his place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team threatened by the signing of the former Real Madrid star.

He told Swedish outlet FotbollDirekt: “It’s great, I play in one of the world’s biggest clubs and they have very good players. We will have a competitive situation and I only see it as positive that we have got a good player in the squad.

“I have played a lot the last two years and last year I had big problems with my back and played with pain. My back feels good now, there will probably be no problems, but I do not think I will play 50, 60 matches.

“I think the squad looks very good. It feels good, we have a good atmosphere in the team and the Premier League is always a tough league.

“But we will do everything we can to win the title. That is the goal.”

Kealan Hughes

2nd Sep 2021, 09:19

GREEN SHOOTS

Mason Greenwood continued his hot start to the season by scoring against Stoke City in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Most Manchester United stars are currently off around the world on international duty.

But for those that aren’t, the Red Devils yesterday staged a behind-closed-doors friendly at Old Trafford.

According to the MEN, Greenwood scored yet again – but couldn’t prevent his side from falling to a 4-3 defeat.

The 19-year-old was surprisingly not included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, despite having scored in all three of Man United’s Premier League games so far this season.

Kealan Hughes

2nd Sep 2021, 08:46

‘HE’S FLYING’

Gary Neville believes Greenwood now has the perfect example in terms of professionalism.

He told the Webby and O’Neill Youtube channel: “The way Mason Greenwood is playing at the moment, he’s fit, he’s flying, he looks completely on top of his game. There’s no way he’s being left out.

“What Cristiano will do is make Mason understand the professionalism required pre-training, in training and in recovery. With Cristiano, he’s got an even better chance of becoming a great player.

“Aside from Harry Kane, I don’t see anybody close to Mason Greenwood as an English centre-forward. No-one, no-one’s near him.”

Kealan Hughes

2nd Sep 2021, 08:22

‘RISE OF ENERGY’

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United has given all the club’s teams “renewed energy”, says women’s team head coach Marc Skinner.

He said: “We feel in the staff – it’s not even just the players – with Cristiano returning, it becomes part of the bigger construct of the club.

“You can feel the vibes that are changing in the teams. I was speaking to someone who’s been here a long time because obviously that’s how you get to know the history of the club as well, and they can feel a renewed energy, a focus, a connected drive in all of the teams.

“It feels like, although Manchester can be quite grey, it definitely feels like there’s a rise of energy from all the teams in and around Manchester United.”

Kealan Hughes

2nd Sep 2021, 08:01

‘HE’LL LOVE IT’

Gary Neville believes Daniel James’ £25million transfer from Manchester United to Leeds United is a win-win for all concerned.

Neville thinks James will be perfect for Marcelo Bielsa’s brand of high energy, counter-attacking football – and that the deal is also very good for Manchester United.

He said: “It’s really good for Dan James. It’s one of those where this is a win-win. He came to United and always did his very best, he was a massive threat on the counter-attack, but they have a lot of players in those areas.

“It’s really important for young players to go and play, and Leeds have always wanted him. They wanted him the first time around when United got him instead.

“He’ll suit the way they play with such pace on the counter-attack. He’ll love it there, the crowd’s a big crowd, a club that demands a lot.

“It’s a good thing for United to get the money they did, and good for Dan to further his career at a good club.”

Kealan Hughes

2nd Sep 2021, 07:43

‘LIKE A ROLLS-ROYCE’

Ray Parlour was effusive in his praise of new Manchester United signing Raphael Varane after his composed debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Parlour compared the impact of Varane to that of United legend Rio Ferdinand and Manchester City stalwart Ruben Dias – who won the Football Writers’ Player of the Year as City lifted the Premier League title and reached the final of the Champions League.

He said: “I think Varane had a really good game. He looked like a Rolls-Royce.

“You know like Rio back in his day for Manchester United?”

“Varane could be exactly the same as Ruben Dias. The impact he made at Manchester City, they will certainly have a go.

“You know Harry Maguire plays every game, he is a leader, and if they can get the partnership in the way that John Stones has really benefitted.”

Kealan Hughes

2nd Sep 2021, 07:21

RON TO WATCH

Fans desperate to watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s second debut for Manchester United are being asked to pay up to £2,500.

The Red Devils will take on Newcastle on Saturday the 11th in a 15:00 kick off, but the game won’t be televised in the UK due to the return of the 3pm blackout rule.

That means the only way for fans to watch the return of their legendary forward will be at Old Trafford, with prices now soaring for the privilege.

American resale site StubHub have been asking fans to cough up as much as £2,514 to watch the game.