After two weeks of build-up, the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United is finally here. The Portuguese star is set to see his first action with the Red Devils since his $28-million transfer from Juventus, as the club hosts Newcastle United at Old Trafford (10 a.m. ET on USA Network, Universo and fuboTV ). He will be in the starting lineup.
Ronaldo's last appearance in a Manchester United jersey at Old Trafford came back in May 2009 and it ended with celebrations after another English Premier League title. It was one of several conquests during his years at the club between 2003 to 2009, when he became a global star. The 36-year-old is a different player today, evolving from an unstoppable winger in his teen years to an expert goal-scoring forward today.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be giving Ronaldo the start after confirming he'd see action a day earlier. Ronaldo started in his last competitive appearance for Portugal in a Sept. 1 win over the Republic of Ireland. That has been his only start in an official game since his last match at the Euros in June. He also came off the bench for Juventus in its first Serie A match of the season before his transfer.
MORE: Watch Manchester United vs. Newcastle on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)
Ronaldo joins a Manchester United team which finds itself in third place in the English Premier League standings after an undefeated start with two wins and a draw. Meanwhile, winless Newcastle are already in the relegation zone after three matches, including two losses.
Sporting News will be following the Manchester United vs. Newcastle match and providing live scores, updates and highlights as they happen.
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United LIVE score
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(All times Eastern)
9:12 a.m.: And it's confirmed: Ronaldo in the starting lineup:
It really is the 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 ✨
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2021
First Old Trafford outings of the season for @Cristiano and @RaphaelVarane await…#MUFC | #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/FGC5e6LgWl
8:27 a.m.: Coming off the team bus:
🔴 Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived at Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United vs Newcastle United. pic.twitter.com/iAnH0BOEZT
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 11, 2021
7:59 a.m.: The match program cover for today's match:
Solskjaer in his programme notes: “It’s a very special transfer for various reasons. Ever since the announcement, there’s been a buzz around the club. Supporters, staff and players; they’re all thrilled to have him in the squad.” pic.twitter.com/iosHy4zqRd
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) September 11, 2021
7:50 a.m.: He's definitely stopping to give autographs.
Hundreds of #MUFC fans already waiting in the hope they can catch a glimpse of Ronaldo getting off the bus pic.twitter.com/6r64SiYpON
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) September 11, 2021
6:33 a.m.: Chance to bust out the old Ronaldo jerseys for the big game:
Old Trafford is soaked with @Cristiano CR7 shirts, absolute buzz around the stadium. Hear more from OT on Gameday with @JimWhite on @talkSPORT before our 1230 commentary of #CRYTOT - Gameday Live, all the goals, round the grounds from Ronaldo's 2nd debut 230pm pic.twitter.com/2B6onDr0oN
— Adrian Durham (@talkSPORTDrive) September 11, 2021
6:10 a.m.: Yeah, they're excited in Manchester:
Welcome home CR7
— utdreport (@utdreport) September 11, 2021
via u/ItsJonahGee pic.twitter.com/Jk6rgwxaZe
5:54 a.m.: A grand return no one saw coming just a couple weeks back is about to happen:
Today, the King returns to where it all started 👑 pic.twitter.com/BRt5romP0Z
— utdreport (@utdreport) September 11, 2021
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United: Starting lineups
Cristiano Ronaldo starts, but Edinson Cavani is not in the squad. Jadon Sancho was a doubt with a knock picked up while with England, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed he was good to go and he gets the start.
MORE: Why Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus for Man United
Scott McTominay and Alex Telles are not ready for selection just yet, and Marcus Rashford is still out due to shoulder surgery. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson is making his way back from the after-effects of COVID-19, but he got the start for the Under-23s along with Phil Jones.
Manchester United starting lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): 1-David de Gea-GK — 23-Luke Shaw, 5-Harry Maguire, 19-Raphael Varane, 29-Aaron Wan-Bissaka — 31-Nemanja Matic, 6-Paul Pogba — 25-Jadon Sancho, 18-Bruno Fernandes, 11-Mason Greenwood — 7-Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United subs (9): 22-Tom Heaton-GK, 2-Victor Lindelof, 3-Eric Bailly, 20-Diogo Dalot, 17-Fred, 34-Donny Van de Beek, 14-Jesse Lingard, 8-Juan Mata, 9-Anthony Martial
Newcastle United will be missing midfielder Jonjo Shelvey (calf), forward Callum Wilson (thigh), midfielder Ryan Fraser (ankle), and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (foot) due to injury. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who has been in training for some time after a bout with COVID-19, is on the bench.
Newcastle United starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 27-Freddie Woodman-GK — 11-Matt Ritchie, 6-Jamaal Lascelles, 2-Ciaran Clark, 19-Javier Manquillo — 36-Sean Longstaff, 14-Isaac Hayden, 28-Joe Willock — 10-Allan Saint-Maximin, 24-Miguel Almiron, 7-Joelinton
Newcastle United subs (9): 26-Karl Darlow-GK, 18-Federico Fernandez, 5-Fabian Schar, 17-Emil Krafth, 12-Jamal Lewis, 23-Jacob Murphy, 16-Jeff Hendrick, 36-Joe White, 34-Dwight Gayle
How to watch Ronaldo's debut in the USA
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 11
- Time: 10 a.m. ET
- TV channel: USA Network
- Spanish-language TV: Universo
- Streaming: fuboTV
Ronaldo's first official match back for Manchester United will come at home against Newcastle United in a match that will be televised by USA Network (English) and Universo (Spanish). Both channels are streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial .