In a recent financial update, it has been revealed that Manchester United paid Juventus €3 million last week — part of the long-term payment structure agreed upon when they re-signed Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2021. Though Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford ended earlier than expected, the club is still contractually bound to complete the full transfer payment.
The Structure of the Deal:
When United secured Ronaldo’s return from Juventus in 2021, they agreed on a €15 million transfer fee, spread evenly over five years — a move designed to ease financial pressure by distributing the cost across multiple seasons.
Here’s how the payments have been (and are scheduled to be) made:
- Summer 2021: €3M – initial payment, right after the transfer
- Summer 2022: €3M – second installment
- Summer 2023: €3M – third installment
- Summer 2024: €3M – fourth installment
- Summer 2025: €3M – final installment
Despite Ronaldo leaving the club in late 2022 and eventually joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Manchester United still must fulfill their financial obligations to Juventus. These “amortized” deals are common in modern football, especially with big-money transfers, allowing clubs to spread costs over several years regardless of the player’s tenure.
Behind the Deal:
Cristiano Ronaldo’s blockbuster return was largely orchestrated by then executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who was instrumental in securing the agreement. His involvement was seen as part of a legacy-defining move before stepping down from his role later that year.
Woodward’s intervention reportedly helped fend off interest from Manchester City, who were also in talks with Ronaldo at the time. The move was celebrated as a major coup — both commercially and emotionally — as Ronaldo was welcomed back to the club where he became a global superstar.
The Outcome:
Ronaldo’s return had a strong start. He scored twice on his second debut against Newcastle and ended the 2021–22 season as United’s top scorer with 24 goals across all competitions. However, the relationship between player and club soured during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, with tensions ultimately leading to the mutual termination of his contract in November 2022.
Still, from a business standpoint, Ronaldo’s return delivered immediate commercial benefits — shirt sales spiked, social media engagement skyrocketed, and global visibility increased — though some argue that it disrupted the team’s long-term sporting project.
In Summary:
Even though Ronaldo hasn’t played for Manchester United since 2022, the financial ripple effects of his return are still being felt. The €3M annual payments to Juventus serve as a reminder of the complex, long-term nature of football transfers — and how major deals can shape club finances well beyond a player’s actual time on the pitch.