Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Claims Cristiano Ronaldo is Motivated by Talk of Him Being Too Old

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is motivated by people calling him "too old" as he inches closer to making his Manchester United return.

United announced last week they would be re-signing Ronaldo in a shock move after the 36-year-old revealed his decision to leave Juventus. Manchester City looked favourites to land the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, until they pulled out at the last minute, allowing United to swoop in for their former player.

Solskjaer is eager to welcome Ronaldo back to Old Trafford once the paperwork for his transfer goes through. "Hopefully we can get the paperwork sorted and announce it. He is a great player, a great human being," Solskjaer told Sky Sports before his side's Premier League match against Wolves.

"I'm excited to keep building this squad. He will bring something completely different. I think everyone is looking forward to having Cristiano in, the paperwork done and to work with him.

"I think it just adds more confidence and belief in what we're doing, what we're building. We've gradually improved, signed younger players, we've signed Jadon [Sancho], who's also a young player, Raphael [Varane] who's so experienced and won everything.

"Hopefully Cristiano can come in and show what he's done in his career. We know he's a more experienced player than when he was here last time, he's evolved and had an unbelievable career. I'm sure he likes all the talk about him being too old, make it personal and he'll show what he can do."

Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances across all competitions in his first spell at the club, helping them to three Premier League crowns and the Champions League before his departure to Real Madrid in 2009.