Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford is a bolt from the blue and his extortionate salary was not part of United's plan, but the Glazers have still managed to make the transfer happen.
By David McDonnell, Sports Journalist, 22:30, 29 Aug 2021

Manchester United were only able to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford because of their unique business model.

According to those involved in the deal to bring the five-time Ballon d'Or winner back to United, the club's huge commercial clout was the only way the deal could be done.


United have 37 financial and global commercial sponsors, including kit supplier Adidas and shirt sponsor Teamviewer, and it was these lucrative tie-ups that facilitated the deal for Ronaldo.

Describing the structure of the deal as “very complex”, those who struck the Ronaldo deal said United had no intention of moving for him, having done their transfer business with Jadon Sancho and Rafael Varane.

But after Ronaldo changed his mind about leaving Juventus last week and Manchester City moved in to try to sign him, United were spurred into action to land him themselves.

With their summer transfer budget of £114million spent on Sancho and Varane, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had to set about structuring a deal to enable the Red Devils to re-sign Ronaldo.

In what was described as “a crazy few days”, United were able to make an offer of £12.8m, plus £6.8m in add-ons, which was accepted by Juventus and blew Manchester City out of the water.

United then consulted with their principal financial partners and were then able to offer Ronaldo a salary of £500,000-a-week, making him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

The re-signing of Ronaldo has been hailed as a masterstroke by United, not least because they were able to get in ahead of local rivals City, who were in talks to sign him.

United's hierarchy hope the return of Ronaldo will go some way towards taking the heat off the club's controversial Florida-based owners, the Glazers, reviled by so many of the club's fans.

Anger towards the Glazers, on the back of the failed European Super League plan, saw United fans storm Old Trafford last season, causing the postponement of the league game against Liverpool.

Against that backdrop of violence and animosity, the Glazers promised to have greater dialogue with United supporters and created a Fan Advisory Board and Fan Share Scheme.

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Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/cristiano-ronaldo-united-business-model-24863708