Ferguson convinced Ronaldo for United return!

Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly convinced to make a stunning return to Old Trafford after a late intervention from Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Manchester United boss snatched him out of the hands of cross-town rivals Manchester City in a £480,000-a-week deal after an emotional conversation with him on Friday morning.

Portuguese teammate Bruno Fernandes had already called him the night before to try and talk him into joining him back at Old Trafford.

The combination of the two convinced him to end negotiations with Etihad chiefs as United played a dramatic late hand to trump City.

United legend Rio Ferdinand confirmed: "Sir Alex -- massive part. Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex have got a bond that very players get to have in their career with a manager.

"There was no way Cristiano Ronaldo would be coming to Man United without speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson. Simple as that."

"Sir Alex Ferguson would have been exactly the same," explained Ferdinand.

"He would have hated to see Cristiano in a Man City shirt. Just like any other person that's been connected for a long time at this football club."

Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward and his right-hand man Matt Judge did the incredible deal with Juventus and Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes.

They have paid £12.85million up front to the Serie A giants with £6.85million in add-ons based on appearances and success.

The 36-year-old has signed a two-year deal worth around £480,000 a week.

The deal was triggered after Ronaldo told Juventus boss Max Allegri that he no longer wanted to play for the club and was therefore taken out of the squad for today's home game with Empoli.

He then flew to Lisbon to have his medical ahead of joining up with his Portuguese teammates on international duty.

Ronaldo posted on Instagram: "I gave my heart and soul for Juventus and I'll always love the city of Turin until my final days.

"We can all look back and realise we achieved great thing, not all that we wanted, but still, we wrote a pretty beautiful story together."

Earlier in the day at 1:15pm, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it public that they wanted Ronaldo back saying: "I didn't think Cristiano was going to leave Juventus.

"But if ever he is going to move away from Juventus he knows we are here.

"We've always had a good communication, Bruno has been talking to him as well.

"He knows how we feel about him. He is a legend of this club, the greatest players of all time if you ask me."

Then just before 5pm United announced that the deal had been done and that:

"Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester."

The deal is subject to personal terms, a visa and medical, but Ronaldo could make his second United debut in the Premier League against Newcastle at Old Trafford on September 11.