Cristiano Ronaldo's Return to Manchester United: A Historic Deal in the Making

Manchester United's blockbuster signing of Cristiano Ronaldo has sent shockwaves through the Premier League, with the 36-year-old forward set to become the highest-paid player in the league's history. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner will earn in excess of £560,000 a week, surpassing Raphael Varane's £400,000 a week deal, which had briefly made him the highest earning player in the Premier League this summer. United's owners, the Glazers, hope that Ronaldo's return will bring a similar impact to that of Tom Brady at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who helped the NFL franchise win a first Super Bowl in 18 years in February.

Key Takeaways:

• Cristiano Ronaldo's contract will see him earn in excess of £560,000 a week, making him the highest-paid player in Premier League history.
• Ronaldo's deal is substantially less than Lionel Messi's £1m a week deal with Paris Saint-Germain, which he joined on a free transfer from Barcelona earlier this month.
• Ronaldo's return to Manchester United was driven by a desire to be adored by the club's fans, with the 36-year-old forward having never been held in the same affection as he is at Old Trafford and Juventus.
• The Glazers have agreed to make Ronaldo the biggest earning player in the history of the Premier League in the hope that he can help end United's eight-year wait for the Premier League title.
• Ronaldo will complete a medical in Lisbon before joining up with the Portugal squad for their World Cup qualifiers, with his expected 'second debut' for United against Newcastle on September 11.
• United's co-chairman, Joel Glazer, was instrumental in bringing Ronaldo back to the club, having previously signed Tom Brady to a two-year contract in an attempt to teach young athletes how to win.
• Rio Ferdinand's relationship with Ronaldo was a key factor in bringing him back to the club, with the former United defender forming part of a small group who mobilized to drive through a deal.
• Sir Alex Ferguson and Bruno Fernandes also played a role in persuading Ronaldo to return to United.

Statistics:

• Ronaldo's previous deal with Juventus saw him earn £4.8 million a year, while his new contract will see him earn in excess of £560,000 a week.
• United's owners, the Glazers, have agreed to pay Juventus an initial £12.85m with a further £6.85m in add-ons for Ronaldo.
• Ronaldo has scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Real Madrid since leaving Manchester United in 2009.
• Ronaldo will become the most marketable player on the planet, with the United commercial team set to benefit from his return.
• Tom Brady's signing by the Glazers was an attempt to teach young athletes how to win, with the quarterback helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win a first Super Bowl in 18 years in February.

Sources:

• Telegraph Sport
• Forbes
• GETTY IMAGES
• AP
• Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY