Fans queue round the block for £79.95 Cristiano Ronaldo shirts as Manchester United's newest star begins five days of Covid quarantine in seven-bed mansion before meeting up with his new teammates
Fans queued around the block today for £79.95 Cristiano Ronaldo shirts as Manchester United's newest star began his five-day Covid isolation in a stunning seven-bedroom mansion.
Ronaldo, 36, will be playing at Old Trafford again after his £19.8million transfer from Italian team Juventus was finalised on transfer deadline day.
And fans have been quick to join the queue for a chance to own a shirt with his name and number on it, with queues forming at the stadium.
The star forward, widely considered the best in the world, touched down in his private jet from Faro at Manchester Airport on Thursday at 5.40pm, and was swiftly taken to a multi-million pound mansion.
He travelled with his girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez and children Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., 11, Alana Martina dos Santos Aveiro, 3, Eva Maria Dos Santos, 4, and Mateo Ronaldo, 4.
Photographs from inside the mansion reveal a swimming pool, gym and cinema room which Ronaldo will be able to enjoy with his young family ahead of the start of training next week.
He is now ensconced in the seven-bedroom countryside property, with a top-of-the-range fitness area, jacuzzi and six-strong security patrol - allowing him to relax during his five days in quarantine before joining club training on Wednesday.
It is not known precisely why Ronaldo - who tested positive for coronavirus in October - must isolate for five days since Portugal is amber-listed, but it is thought to be a measure put in place by Manchester United.
A spokesman for the club said: 'As a new signing he is not eligible for elite sport exemption. Therefore he can’t join our bubble for 5 days.'
At the end of July, Manchester United was rocked by up to nine Covid cases a day after its Brentford friendly, forcing a game with Preston to be called off.
Fans have been quick to join the queue at Old Trafford for a chance to own a shirt with Cristiano Ronaldo's name and number on it, with queues forming at the stadium
Ronaldo is now ensconced in the seven-bedroom countryside property, with a top-of-the-range fitness area, jacuzzi and six-strong security patrol - allowing him to relax during his five days in quarantine before joining club training on Wednesday
Ronaldo, widely considered one of the best forwards in the world, will be playing at Old Trafford again after his £19.8million transfer from the Italian giants was finalised on transfer deadline day. Pictured, his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez and children outside a private jet that took them to the UK
Cristiano Ronaldo (above) touched down in Manchester after signing from Juventus last week
Ronaldo touched down in his private jet from Faro at Manchester Airport on Thursday at 5.40pm, and was swiftly taken to a multi-million pound mansion, according to the Sun. Pictured, the bedroom in the house features large windows and a TV built into the wall
Photographs from inside the mansion reveal a swimming pool, gym and cinema room which Ronaldo will be able to enjoy with his young family ahead of the start of training next week Despite apparently quarantining, Ronaldo posted a photograph with a friend to his Instagram account on Saturday with the caption 'my bro'.
Ronaldo's partner Ms Rodriguez, 27, posted several pictures on her Instagram account of the family travelling by jet, showing the Manchester location and a Cadbury's chocolate bar with a Manchester United logo offered as a welcome gift.
Ronaldo had been on international duty with Portugal - scoring two dramatic late goals in the 89th and 96th minutes to beat Ireland 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
That double saw him pass Ali Daei become the highest men's international goalscorer of all time, with an astonishing 110 and no signs of slowing down despite being 36.
Ronaldo's former team-mate, and Red Devils technical director, Darren Fletcher, United officials and a security team welcomed him and his family personally in a private terminal.
The new signing is set to begin training with his new colleagues at Carrington next week under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was a team-mate of Ronaldo during the Portuguese's first stint at the club between 2003 and 2009.
Despite apparently quarantining, Ronaldo posted a photograph with a friend to his Instagram account on Saturday with the caption 'my bro'
Ronaldo mania hit Old Trafford today as fans queued to get their returning heroes' shirt. The queue which started to form early this morning stretched over 300 yards as fans waited patiently
Ronaldo's partner Georgina Rodriguez, 27, posted several pictures on her Instagram account of the family travelling by jet, showing the Manchester location and a Cadbury's chocolate bar with a Manchester United logo offered as a welcome gift. Pictured left, getting on the private jet. Right, with one of their children
One of Ronaldo's children is pictured playing a game while travelling to the UK with the family from Faro airport
The now-36-year-old (centre) played alongside Fletcher (right) in his first stint with United
The luxury mansion the family will live in features a cinema room with plush red couches for prime viewing experience
Ronaldo will be able to keep fit before training starts on Wednesday inside a fitness studio housed within the mansion
A large bath offers views of the countryside outside through a large window that allows light to stream into the bathroom
One of the rooms that is likely to be less used by the family is the office, which again features a large window to allow in plenty of light, as well as a TV and desk
The large open plan kitchen, living room and dining area will be perfect for Ronaldo's young family, allowing the children to run around in clear view of their parents
There is plenty of space for Ronaldo and Ms Rodriguez' clothes inside a large wardrobe next to the master bedroom
He subsequently left United for Real Madrid in a then-world record £80m fee, where he cemented himself as one of the best players in the world and joined the conversation as the best of all time.
After signing, Ronaldo told the United website: 'I have a fantastic history with this amazing club. I was there at 18 years old and of course I'm so happy to be back home after 12 years. So I'm really glad and looking forward to start my first game.
'It's the best decision that I have made it. It's a new chapter, I'm so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and number one of them, to win great things.
'As I say before, I'm there in Manchester to help the team achieve results and the coach can count on me for whatever he wants. So I'm available for everything.'
The club hope he can make his second debut against Newcastle on September 11.
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