Aniket Rai
Arsene Wenger has a theory on why Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus
Speaking on BILD Live (h/t Metro), legendary Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, stated that Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo for more than just ‘sporting reasons’.
The Portuguese superstar is finally at Old Trafford after 12 years since he left for Real Madrid in 2009. He will don the famous No. 7 kit after Edinson Cavani’s gesture of giving up his kit number to the ex-Juventus man.
The club did not have a potent scorer last season in Anthony Martial. The Frenchman left a lot to desired when it came to scoring goals, and Ronaldo’s signing could mean that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner regularly starts at as the number nine.
But according to Wenger, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side signed Ronaldo for more than just sporting reasons. He even goes on to mention that the move is ‘not %100 rational’.
Wenger rues missed opportunity
“This is a love story that you want to see. [He was re-signed] for more than just sporting reasons, it’s also emotional. I think the decision is not 100% rational.”
Ronaldo actually came very close to joining Wenger’s Arsenal before he put pen to paper on a contract with Man United. And Wenger recalls how finances played a role in Sir Alex Ferguson swooping in for him at the last minute.
“He was at our training ground and even wore an Arsenal jersey! But we could only pay €4million (£3.4m) back then. [Sir Alex] snatched him from me! And for €12m (£10.2m).”
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Whatever reason there might have been behind United going for Ronaldo, the club’s fans have been over the moon with this late summer signing. They would hope that CR7 is the final piece of Solskjaer’s trophy-winning puzzle at Old Trafford.
