Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly broke a ‘pact’ with Juventus to force through his return to Manchester United last month.

The Portuguese forward, 36, was expected to see out the final year of his contract in Turin, but suddenly completed a shock return to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day.

His agent, Jorge Mendes, had been working on getting his client out of the Stadio delle Alpi in the weeks leading up to his switch – something that appears to have gone against a prior agreement he made with Juve chiefs.

According to Cadena Ser, via the Mirror, Mendes had agreed a deal for Ronaldo to move elsewhere could only be followed through if everything was finalised by August 15 – over two weeks before the window shut.

Juventus ‘ stance was due to their belief that finding a replacement for their top goalscorer would be impossible after that date.

Once that had passed, Juve were under the impression their frontman would be staying, with even boss Massimiliano Allegri stating: “He has never wanted to leave. He told me that he’s staying and he will be in Udine.”

However, it was Juventus’ 2-2 draw with Udinese the following day which is said to have prompted Ronaldo to apply pressure on the club to move him on.

And while Ronaldo may have broken his supposed agreement with his employers, the reports from Spain do not take into account Juventus’ perilous financial situation at the time.