Man Utd will pay Cristiano Ronaldo LESS than his £500,000-per-week Juventus wage

Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to take a pay cut in order to make his return to Manchester United from Juventus.

Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes set the Ballon d’Or superstar’s wage demands at £20million a year, equating to £385,000 a week, in order to secure a rapid departure from Turin before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. The 36-year-old striker was on £500,000 a week in Italy.

Though Ronaldo becomes United’s highest-paid player ahead of David de Gea, a source involved in the transfer said: ‘He is on less than he was at Juventus.’ Mendes had contacted several Premier League clubs about Ronaldo’s availability and terms, with City believing they were serious contenders at one stage.

But once United recognised the player would genuinely be released by Juventus for just under £20m, they made a decisive move.

United are still waiting to officially confirm Ronaldo’s transfer despite announcing on Friday they had reached agreement.

Ronaldo is expected to have his medical in Lisbon and his second debut could come against Newcastle on September 11.

Some United fringe players like Dan James may go on loan next week.