Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo is making a habit of this. 

The Manchester United star scored a Fergie Time goal in the 95th minute during Wednesday's Champions League action, securing a 2-1 victory over Villarreal. 

CRISTIANO RONALDO. IN THE 95TH MINUTE. FTW. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/rYqW2gzcqo

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 29, 2021

CRISTIANO RONALDO. STOPPAGE TIME WINNER. IT HAD TO BE HIM 💥 pic.twitter.com/zFMOd8F5qO

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 29, 2021

That was Ronaldo’s 12th career UCL goal in the 90th minute or later, double any other player in the competition's history.

The next most is Messi with 6 😨 pic.twitter.com/74sN9SBccA

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 29, 2021

In five games between the Premier League and UCL this season, Ronaldo has registered five goals, proving to already be a valuable addition in his second tenure with the Red Devils. 

Cristiano Ronaldo is single-handedly making sure Manchester United's season isn't over before Christmas, whilst also keeping OGS in a job.

— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) September 29, 2021

Certainly, his flair for the dramatic late in games hasn't wavered. The return of Ronaldo has been a huge boon for Manchester United. 

Level Up, a UK-based gender justice group, flew a banner over Old Trafford on Saturday in protest of Cristiano Ronaldo's debut with Manchester United.

The banner read "#Believe Kathryn Mayorga" and flew over the pitch during Saturday's match against Newcastle United.

☄️ We flew a plane over the Man United football ground and our message is simple: Believe Kathryn Mayorga.

Let’s say NO to the culture of silence around abuse from the football community. Pledge your solidarity with Kathryn & survivors: https://t.co/YZgcxou75E pic.twitter.com/jvGVOBYTIP

— Level Up (@we_level_up) September 11, 2021

"This is not just about solidarity with Kathryn, it's about every single survivor of sexual violence. It's about breaking the silence around abuse, and speaking truth to power," a statement released by Level Up read. "It's for everyone who knows what it feels like to live with lifelong injury, injustice and be told to stay quiet.

"This is about football clubs and players waking up to the reality that they can't act with impunity—or pay their way out of accountability."

Mayorga went public with rape accusations against Ronaldo in 2018. She said the soccer star assaulted her at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 but no formal charges were ever filed. Ronaldo and Mayorga reached a financial settlement in 2010 that included a non-disclosure agreement.

Mayorga filed a subsequent lawsuit looking to throw out the original financial agreement. Ronaldo, who has maintained his encounter with Mayorga was consensual, filed a motion in May seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.

Mayorga also asked that police re-open their investigation, but Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in July 2019 there was insufficient evidence to file charges.   

Manchester United signed Ronaldo to a two-year contract last month. 

Appearing in his first match for Manchester United since 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo electrified the home crowd at Old Trafford by scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

Manchester United completed the signing of Ronaldo from Juventus last month, and it didn't take long for the superstar striker from Portugal to make an impact.

During stoppage time in the first half, Ronaldo deposited a rebound off a shot from Mason Greenwood into the back of the net to give the Red Devils a 1-0 lead:

IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG!@Cristiano is BACK. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/k3laVNuStA

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 11, 2021

That marked Ronaldo's first goal for Manchester United and in English Premier League play in 4,507 days.

OptaJoe noted that the 12-year, 124-day gap in between EPL goals was the second-longest in the history of the league by any player:

12y 124d - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his first Premier League goal since May 2009 (v Man City); his gap of 12 years and 124 days between goals is the second-longest between two strikes by any player in the competition's history, after Matt Jackson (13y 187d, 1993-2006). Gift. pic.twitter.com/K071k8T1LW

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 11, 2021

The Premier League provided a different angle of the moment Ronaldo announced his return to the EPL with a goal:

📸 12 years and 124 days since we last saw Cristiano Ronaldo score in the #PL, this happens...#MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/ceuvUgBgpR

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 11, 2021

In addition to nearly making history for the longest time between EPL goals, Ronaldo became one of the oldest players to ever score a goal for Manchester United at 36:

36y 218d - Cristiano Ronaldo is the oldest player to score for Man Utd in the Premier League since Ryan Giggs in February 2013 (39y 86d v QPR), while only Giggs and Paul Scholes have ever scored for the Red Devils in the competition at an older age than Ronaldo. Longevity. pic.twitter.com/SqDG0qRriy

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 11, 2021

With the 119th goal of his Manchester United career and his 675th career goal overall, Ronaldo helped United enter the locker room with a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Manchester United had all the momentum after one half of play, but Newcastle looked to play spoiler, and it appeared as though it would for a short period of time.

In the 56th minute, Javier Manquillo netted the equalizer when he beat United goalkeeper David de Gea off a beautiful run down the right wing:

EVEN AT ONE!#NUFC pic.twitter.com/D7VYps8dpm

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 11, 2021

That took some of the air out of the Old Trafford faithful, but it wasn't long before CR7 had them back on their feet again.

Just six minutes after Manquillo scored, Ronaldo blazed his way through the defense and put the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to put United back on top 2-1:

RONALDO x2!#MUFC pic.twitter.com/KE2Jp6lV5l

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 11, 2021

That goal turned out to be the game-winner, and it pushed Manchester United to the top of the EPL table ahead of Tottenham Hotspur after it lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace.

A Bruno Fernandes wonder strike in the 80th minute put the match out of reach:

"DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME."

Bruno Fernandes scores for @ManUtd. 🚀 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/zTu8tUlmOa

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 11, 2021

Jesse Lingard added a fourth goal for Manchester United in stoppage time, placing the cherry on top of the squad's impressive performance.

Ronaldo enjoyed incredible success at Real Madrid and Juventus, developing into one of the greatest soccer players of all time, but Saturday felt like a true homecoming.

United fans showered Ronaldo with adulation, coming unglued when he took the pitch before the start of the match:

Just listen to that noise 😱🔊#MUFC | #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/YETEMXexCs

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2021

There was also no shortage of Ronaldo jerseys in the crowd, signaling how excited the supporters were to have him back in the fold:

Cristiano Ronaldo's No.7️⃣ shirts have taken over Old Trafford 😍 pic.twitter.com/o2UmGONjPp

— GOAL (@goal) September 11, 2021

With Ronaldo's return and Manchester United ascending to the top of the standings, the excitement surrounding the club has reached a fever pitch.

Manchester United has not won an EPL title since the 2012-13 season, but with Ronaldo back in town, the Red Devils have a great chance to improve on last season's runner-up finish.

Ronaldo's next chance to impress will come Tuesday in a UEFA Champions League match against BSC Young Boys, while the next EPL match for United will be Sept. 19 against West Ham United.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Cristiano Ronaldo will make his second club debut in Saturday's Premier League match against Newcastle United, but the Norwegian wouldn't reveal whether the superstar forward will be in the starting XI or enter as a substitute.

"He's been having a good preseason with Juventus, played with the national team, had a good week with us and he'll definitely be on the pitch at some point, that's for sure," Solskjaer told reporters Friday. "We've followed his career from afar since he left here. Everyone is very, very happy to have him back. He seems happy to be back."

Ronaldo previously played for United from 2003 through 2009. He rejoined the Red Devils from Juventus in late August just before the summer transfer window closed.

The 36-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner should be close to full match fitness as his second stint at Old Trafford gets underway. He played all 90 minutes for Portugal and scored both of the national team's goals in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Ireland on Sept. 1 before returning to train with United.

Ronaldo is coming off a strong 2020-21 campaign with Juve. He scored 33 goals in 39 appearances between Serie A and the Champions League, showing no signs of slowing down in the process.

He told Stewart Gardner of the club's official website he's excited about another chance to chase titles at United.

"I think it's the best decision that I have made it. It's right on point in my opinion," Ronaldo said. "I moved from Juve now to Manchester, it's a new chapter. I'm so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and number one of them, to win great things."

Ronaldo joins a Red Devils side that's off to a strong start to the new term with two wins and a draw through three matches, leaving them third in the Premier League table.

United is set to start a busy stretch of matches with its Champions League group-stage opener against BSC Young Boys set for Tuesday following Saturday's clash with Newcastle.

Ronaldo should play consistently, but Solskjaer figures to rotate among a deep forward group that also features Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

Cristiano Ronaldo is back at Manchester United once again, over a decade after starring for the club between 2003-09, but it's not about nostalgia for the star forward. 

It's about winning. 

"This is why I'm here," he said in an interview on the team's website. "I am not here for vacation. ... I wore the shirt before many years ago, but I am here to win again. I am capable, me and my teammates. I am ready to go, I am ready to go. It is a good chance for me, for the supporters, for the club, to get one step ahead. I am ready and I think I will be a huge thing in the next three or four years."

Ronaldo, 36, scored 118 goals in all competitions in his first go-around with United and won eight major trophies, most notably three Premier League titles and a Champions League title in 2008. 

After leaving the Red Devils, he went on to even greater success at Real Madrid, where he won an astonishing four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles. At Juventus, he won two Serie A titles. 

So winning has followed Ronaldo wherever he's gone, and United is attempting to end a Premier League title drought dating back to the 2012-13 campaign. Since last winning a title, United's seen its cross-town rival Manchester City win the league four times. 

It will be calling on the five-time Ballon D'or winner for assistance. Well, more accurately in the case of Ronaldo, to score a lot of goals.  

United had a strong summer transfer window, adding talented young winger Jadon Sancho and star centre-back Raphael Varane, Ronaldo's former teammate at Real Madrid. They'll join players like Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in what looks to be United's strongest squad in years. 

But the title race is also wide open.

Defending champion City added star midfielder Jack Grealish for its title defense. European champions Chelsea addressed its biggest weakness last season by signing striker Romelu Lukaku. Liverpool didn't have the splashy summer of its counterparts, though adding centre-back Ibrahima Konate—and getting back star defender Virgil Van Dijk—will solidify its back-four, while Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane can cut through teams in attack. 

Even clubs like Tottenham, who retained Harry Kane, and Leicester City should provide a threat, though they are more likely to be fighting for a top-four finish and feel far off the pace of the title race given the talented rosters they're trying to catch. 

Signing Ronaldo was a splashy move, no doubt. But it remains to be seen if it was a title-winning addition. 

While much of the football world was caught off guard by Cristiano Ronaldo heading back to Manchester United late in the summer transfer window, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said Ronaldo tipped him off well in advance.

"A month ago, he told me that he was moving to Manchester United," Khabib, a close friend to CR7, told reporters. "I expected this deal to take place. I think that Manchester United is more suitable for him than Juventus. For me, the transition was not a surprise."

The comments fly in the face of the narrative the reunion was a last-minute decision.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said as recently as Aug. 21 he didn't expect Ronaldo to leave the Serie A club before the transfer deadline.

"Cristiano has always trained well and has never expressed his desire to leave Juventus," Allegri said. "He told me that he's staying, so we can clear that one up."

Then, after information emerged that United beat out rival Manchester City to land the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Neil Custis of The Sun reported an "emotional conversation" between Ronaldo and former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson late in the process swung the tide in favor of an Old Trafford return.

Ronaldo hinted toward Ferguson's importance in an interview with the club's official website on Wednesday.

"For me, Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father in football for me," Ronaldo said. "He helped me a lot, he taught me many things, and in my opinion of course he had a big role because the relationship that we had, we keep in touch all the time, and he's an unbelievable person. I really like him a lot and he was the main key for me to be in the position that I am, that I signed for Manchester United."

So something doesn't add up between all those comments and Nurmagomedov apparently finding out about the move weeks ago.

Regardless, Ronaldo is back in the United squad and will soon be roaming Old Trafford in his famed No. 7 kit once again.

The Red Devils' first match after the international break is set for Sept. 11 when they host Newcastle United in Premier League action.

Manchester United supporters of Cristiano Ronaldo can break out their old kits after the club announced the superstar will wear No. 7 upon his return to Old Trafford.

𝙉𝙤𝙬 it's official 😍

7️⃣ @Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021

There was some thoughts the 36-year-old would have to change numbers, with Edinson Cavani opening the season wearing No. 7. However, he will switch to the No. 21 jersey that he wears with the Uruguay national team.

Ronaldo started his fourth season with Juventus before a transfer to United, rejoining the club with whom he spent six seasons from 2003-09. Juventus announced it will receive €15million in a transfer fee plus €8million in potential add-ons.

The move gives the Premier League squad one of the best players in the world this century with a resume that includes five Ballons d'Or and five Champions League titles. He helped Manchester United win three straight league titles and the 2008 UCL before moving onto Real Madrid in 2009.

The forward remains a weapon on the pitch, scoring 60 goals in Serie A over the past two seasons. On Wednesday, Ronaldo set the all-time men's record for international goals with his 110th score for Portugal.

The only question after his move was whether CR7 would be able to sport his usual number.

Dale Johnson of ESPN reported Cavani had to wear the No. 7 shirt the whole season after the club registered him with the league with that number. The only exception would be if he was sold or the club received special dispensation from the Premier League board.

Johnson later revealed an opening for a move after United sold Daniel James to Leeds United. Cavani took the Welshman's former No. 21, leaving Ronaldo free to take No. 7.

"I wasn't sure if it would be possible to have the No. 7 shirt again, so I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi [Cavani] for this incredible gesture," Ronaldo said. 

Manchester United return from the international break on Sept. 11 with a home league match against Newcastle United.

Manchester United reportedly still plans to make a major push to sign Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland next summer despite Tuesday's signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.

ESPN's Mark Ogden reported Wednesday the Ronaldo reunion "will not impact" the Red Devils' pursuit of Haaland, who can trigger a €75 million release clause in his contract after the 2021-22 season.

The Ronaldo situation came together quickly during the final stages of the transfer window. Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said Aug. 21 the five-time Ballon d'Or winner hadn't expressed interest in leaving the Italian club, but that changed over the following week and set the stage for his return to Old Trafford.

Ogden reported the agreement to bring back the 36-year-old Portuguese legend was "financed outside" United's planned transfer budget, but it still won't impact the future pursuit of Haaland.

The Red Devils are expected to face competition from several European giants, including Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, for the 21-year-old Norwegian sensation, per Ogden.

Haaland is coming off a tremendous season for Dortmund in which he recorded 37 goals and 10 assists across 36 appearances in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League. He's off to another fast start, tallying three goals and two assists in the first three domestic league matches this term.

The dynamic striker has been a coveted target for the last several transfer windows, but so far he's not been keen on trying to force his way out of Westfalenstadion.

"Well, I have a contract for a couple of fine years, so I am respectful towards my contract," Haaland told reporters in May.

He's under contract through June 2024, but the release clause next summer could make a transfer financially viable for many of Europe's biggest clubs.

Beating out the likes of Bayern, City, PSG and Real Madrid for Haaland would be a major statement for United as it looks to regain its status as an annual contender in Europe. It last won the Premier League in 2012-13 and the Champions League in 2007-08.

Ronaldo, who scored 33 goals between Serie A and the UCL last season, can provide a short-term boost in that quest, but Haaland is potential a long-term building block for United.

Manchester United formally announced the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus on Tuesday with the agreement of a two-year contract with an option for a third season.

Ronaldo, who previously played for the Red Devils from 2003 through 2009, posted a statement on Instagram about his "never-ending love for Manchester United" while away on international duty with the Portugal national team:

I can't even start to explain my feelings right now, as I see my return to Old Trafford announced worldwide. It's like a dream come true, after all the times that I went back to play against Man United, and even as an opponent, to have always felt such love and respect from the supporters in the stands. This is absolutely 100 percent the stuff that dreams are made of!

My first domestic League, my first Cup, my first call to the Portuguese national team, my first Champions League, my first Golden Boot and my first Ballon d'Or, they were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils. History has been written in the past and history will be written once again! You have my word!

He concluded the message by saying: "I'm right here! I'm back where I belong! Let's make it happen once again! P.S.—Sir Alex [Ferguson], this one is for you..."

The announcement of his contract with United comes after Juventus confirmed the Premier League side paid a €23 million ($27 million) transfer fee for the 36-year-old superstar, which is payable over five years, per ESPN.

"The unforgettable moments experienced together were many. We could recite them and relive them, but it would not help, because everyone has their own special memory linked to CR7," Juve said as part of a goodbye statement to Ronaldo.

His return to Old Trafford came together last week after he was left out of the Juventus squad to face Empoli, which provided a major hint his tenure with the Italian club was coming to a close.

After initial reports suggested Manchester City were the front-runners to land the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, United moved in to secure a reunion with the football legend.

Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he has "no doubt" Ronaldo will continue to perform at a high level while also help younger players in the squad.

"You run out of words to describe Cristiano," Solskjaer said in the club's announcement. "He is not only a marvelous player but also a great human being. To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level for such a long period requires a very special person."

It'll be a little while before Ronaldo plays the first match of his second United stint, though.

Portugal have three matches during the international window starting Wednesday with a World Cup qualifier against Ireland. That's followed by a friendly against Qatar on Saturday and another Would Cup qualification match next Tuesday when it takes on Azerbaijan.

Manchester United's next match is Sept. 11 against Newcastle United, which will likely serve as Ronaldo's reintroduction to the Old Trafford faithful.

United are third in the Premier League table in the early going with two wins and a draw from their first three fixtures.

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Manchester United after United reached a deal with Italian club Juventus.

Welcome 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, @Cristiano 🔴#MUFC | #Ronaldo

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 27, 2021

Ronaldo left Manchester United and the English Premier League for Spain's Real Madrid in 2009.

United said in a statement: "Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical."

Per ESPN's Mark Ogden, Ronaldo will remain in his home country of Portugal through the international break with an eye toward making his home debut in his second stint at Manchester United on Sept. 11 against Newcastle United.

Ronaldo posted a farewell message to Juventus and its fans on Instagram after his transfer was announced:

❗

Cristiano Ronaldo's farewell message for Juventus on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/T6vWzakieS

— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) August 27, 2021

Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport reported Thursday that Ronaldo was hopeful Juventus would move him prior to Tuesday's transfer deadline:

🔹 Man City want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for free
🔹 Juventus asking for around €25m
🔹 Ronaldo keen to leave Juventus before deadline
🔹 No other club in position to make the move @DiMarzio has the latest from Italy on Cristiano Ronaldo's futurepic.twitter.com/vJH4cywe1E

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 26, 2021

Di Marzio added that while Manchester City wanted to sign Ronaldo on a free transfer, Juventus' asking price was around $29 million. He also reported that City was the only club in a position to land Ronaldo.

Despite that, journalist Fabrizio Romano reported Friday that Manchester City had pulled out of negotiations without agreeing to terms with Ronaldo or Juventus.

Romano also reported that Manchester United was set to prepare an offer after Man City dropped out and was "confident" it could land the legendary forward.

The 36-year-old had just started his fourth season at Juventus after previously playing six years for Manchester United and nine years for Real Madrid, along with a season at Portuguese club Sporting to begin his professional career.

Rumors of a Ronaldo transfer heated up Sunday when he was on the bench for Juve's Serie A opener against Udinese. Ronaldo entered the game in the 60th minute and thought he had scored the winning goal, but it was disallowed after a VAR review, resulting in a 2-2 draw.

Per Sky Sports, reports out of Italy suggested that Ronaldo asked to be on the bench in order to "preserve his fitness" ahead of a potential transfer.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri gave a different account: "Ronaldo is feeling well. I had talked to him before the game, telling him he would start on the bench. He made himself available. He did well when he entered the pitch."

Later, Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved called the decision for Ronaldo to be a substitute a "shared" one between the forward and Allegri. Nedved also said he could "absolutely confirm" Ronaldo would remain with Juve throughout the 2021-22 season.

The Portugal international is considered one of the greatest players of all time thanks to his 674 career goals in 897 matches across all competitions.

Ronaldo has scored 101 times in 134 matches with Juventus after scoring 118 times in 292 matches with Manchester United and a remarkable 450 times in 438 matches with Real Madrid.

His greatest success came at Real Madrid, with whom he won La Liga twice, two Copas del Rey and the UEFA Champions League on four occasions. He won three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one FA Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup at Manchester United, and he's won two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia with Juventus. He also won the Portuguese Super Cup with Sporting.

Additionally, Ronaldo helped lead Portugal to its greatest accomplishment in international soccer: the UEFA European Championship in 2016.

It has been over a decade since Ronaldo played in the EPL, but he is poised to make a huge splash in arguably the most significant league in the world.

While Ronaldo was productive during his first stint with Manchester United, he became an all-time great with Real Madrid.

If Ronaldo can bring that level of production back to Manchester United, the Red Devils have a strong chance to win their first EPL title since 2013 after finishing as the runner-up last season.