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Cristiano Ronaldo's Stunning Manchester United Return Sets Social Media Alight

A bit like one CR7 shirt when a move to City was mooted.
Graeme Demianyk
By 

Senior Editor, HuffPost UK

Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Manchester United in 2006.
Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Manchester United in 2006.
via Associated Press

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return to Manchester United – a sensational move that set social media alight.

And it came after some United fans had set their replica shirts alight. But we’ll get to that.

In a remarkable 48 hours of transfer speculation, the club announced it had reached agreement with Juventus to re-sign the Portugal star.

It was just hours after many believed the 36-year-old five-time world player of the year was poised to sign for rivals Manchester City.

Welcome 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, @Cristiano 🔴#MUFC | #Ronaldo

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 27, 2021

Spare a thought for the fans who apparently burned their Ronaldo shirts as the CR7-to-City rumours started to build.

Utd fans burning Ronaldo shirt ohh they mad mad 😂 pic.twitter.com/wEMvKFg4WE

— TH14👑 🇵🇸 (@49gunsalute) August 26, 2021

And the handbrake turn spawned several memes within hours of the breaking news.

Man United fans watching their Ronaldo shirts burning before hearing that he’s coming back pic.twitter.com/ph26CBGZA7

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 27, 2021

Man Utd fans to Cristiano Ronaldo after burning all their 'Ronaldo 7' shirts pic.twitter.com/GGLzNRfZle

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) August 27, 2021

The United fan who filmed himself burning his #Ronaldo shirt when he sees #CR7's actually signing for them and not City: pic.twitter.com/sv3LBCnUPq

— Jonty Crowley 📻 (@JontyCrowley) August 27, 2021

Even British tennis legend Andy Murray and broadcaster Piers Morgan were getting in on the banter.

All the man united fans that were absolutely abusing Ronaldo yesterday appear to have lost their voices today…. Funny old game

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) August 27, 2021

🤣🤣exactly…. wonder if you can unburn a shirt?

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 27, 2021

Incredible stuff… United fans u turning more than Boris

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) August 27, 2021

In any case, celebrity Manchester United fans were loving it.

It’s only a right @Cristiano @ManUtd ⚡️🙌🏿 pic.twitter.com/FIxO1WPrRW

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) August 27, 2021

Michael Atherton on commentary at Headingley: 'Ronaldo back to The Reds. Unbelievable news.'

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 27, 2021

……. pic.twitter.com/RkchkEZzBJ

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) August 27, 2021

Cristiano is back home. tears in my eyes, man.

— Fireboy DML (@fireboydml) August 27, 2021

😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/2RATqumD2q

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) August 27, 2021

This bloke in the background on Sky Sports News was thrilled too.

Ha ha ha pic.twitter.com/8UPTPrnWmh

— Football Mumble (@football_mumble) August 27, 2021

Ronaldo was moving markets, as well as football fans.

📊 — The announcement of Cristiano Ronaldo joining Manchester United has resulted in United's shares to be up by 8%, meaning Ronaldo has added about $250 million in market cap to the stock already #mufc #mujournal
😭😭😭😭 in just one hour.

— Tosin Akingba™ (@venusakingba) August 27, 2021

It’s been 12 years since Ronaldo last pulled on a Manchester United, but despite his advancing years the stats suggest he’s still got it.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned 36 in February, is one of the best examples that “age is just a number” in sports.

The Portuguese forward has scored 320 goals in 356 games since turning 30. pic.twitter.com/dwYsAkC5oL

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 27, 2021

Wayne Rooney, 35, hearing Ronaldo has just resigned for United at 36… pic.twitter.com/IGnthy28uS

— FPL Teach Mode (Andy) (@FplMode) August 27, 2021

Cristiano Ronaldo no ordinary 36-year-old. Known for outstanding fitness and professionalism. He's confident he can carry on playing at highest level for several more years. Fits in with fast attacking style of play Solskjaer committed to and which Manchester United fans expect

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 27, 2021

Nonetheless, it’s a different era since the first time he signed for United under Alex Ferguson.

Maybe the 2003 knitwear is due a comeback too ...

Ronaldo’s first debut for Manchester United was so long ago that the highlights were shown on ITV’s The Premiership.

— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) August 27, 2021

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford means David James's £1.5m move from Manchester City to Portsmouth in 2006 is now only the second highest transfer fee ever paid for a 36 year old.

— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) August 27, 2021

Praying Ronaldo wears his iconic jumper when he meets with Solskjær 🙏😂 pic.twitter.com/fFqdSi8xME

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) August 27, 2021
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