Cristiano Ronaldo smashes shirt sale records, surpasses Messi in hours after Man Utd squad number was announced

Cristiano Ronaldo has smashed shirt sale records after his sensational return to Manchester United.

Fans queued up outside Old Trafford to get their hands on the ‘Ronaldo No7’ shirt – and records have already been broken before he has kicked a ball.

This United fan was delighted to get her hands on a new shirt Credit: Zenpix

The supporter’s wheel on her wheelchair was a tribute to the superstar Credit: Zenpix

Ronaldo’s return to Man Utd has brought a huge buzz to the club Credit: Zenpix

Fans queued as soon as the announcement was made that Ronaldo would be back on No7 Credit: Zenpix

In just four hours following the announcement that Ronaldo would wear the iconic shirt, United’s online store surpassed the highest day of sales ever on a single sports merchandise site outside of North America.

The club’s online shop is run by Fanatics, who work with more than 300 clubs around the world and top sports leagues.

The first hour of sales alone surpassed the best ever full day of global sales for United Direct, the official club merchandise site.

Across the Fanatics network, Ronaldo became the biggest selling player ever in the 24 hours following a transfer to a new club.

But some United fans just wanted to head down to Old Trafford to hand over their cash in the official club shop.

Edinson Cavani agreed to let Ronaldo have his old No7 shirt back Credit: Manchester United FC

United fans will feel the signing of Ronaldo will put them right in the title hunt Credit: Zenpix

Online shirt sales for Ronaldo No7 are the highest outside North America for the Fanatics-managed megastores Credit: Zenpix

The Portuguese superstar’s plane touched down at the city’s airport at 5.40pm on Thursday after travelling from Faro.

He was met on the runway by United officials and a security team and whisked away to a seven- bedroom countryside hideaway.

The luxury property boasts a high-tech fitness complex complete with pool and jacuzzi — allowing Ronaldo to work on his fitness ahead of his Old Trafford homecoming next Saturday against Newcastle United.

A six-strong security team has accompanied him and is patrolling the property, which the club has rented after they pulled off his stunning £12.85million transfer.

Ronaldo, 36, will spend five days in quarantine before going to United’s Carrington training ground to meet his new team-mates on Wednesday.

The queues kept growing outside Old Trafford Credit: Zenpix

One fan already had a Ronaldo scarf – and was soon to add the shirt to his collection Credit: Zenpix