Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was certain of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the club. Ronaldo has played for the Red Devils in two separate stints between 2003 and 2009 and 2021 and 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo signed for the Red Devils in 2003, becoming a major force in their attack under Sir Alex Ferguson’s guidance. The legendary Portuguese led the side to three Premier League titles, his first UEFA Champions League, an FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups in his first stint. In 2008, Ronaldo won his first Golden Boot and first Ballon d’Or.
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In an interview with The Athletic, Patrice Evra recalled how Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Cristiano Ronaldo would return to Manchester United in 2013. The Portuguese legend was then at Real Madrid, but Ferguson was sure he was going to return. Evra said:
“I went to Ferguson’s office and he said, ‘Patrice, 99 per cent, Cristiano Ronaldo is coming and I’m going to bring Gareth Bale, too. And those people who think I’m going to retire? I’m going to retire when I’m maybe 100 years old’.”
While Sir Alex mentioned he would not retire anytime soon, the legendary manager retired in the summer of 2013 as the head coach of Manchester United. Under his guidance, Ronaldo enjoyed some of his peak years at Old Trafford, before joining Real Madrid in 2009.
When Cristiano Ronaldo claimed Sir Alex Ferguson stopped him from joining Manchester City ahead of his Manchester United return
In a 2022 interview with TalkTV (h/t ESPN), Cristiano Ronaldo revealed to host Piers Morgan that he was persuaded by Sir Alex Ferguson to join Manchester United after he left Italian giants Juventus. He added that the Scottish coach stopped from joining their arch rivals, Manchester City, and said:
“Well, honestly, it was close… It’s something they spoke [about] a lot and [Manchester City manager Pep] Guardiola said two weeks ago, I guess, that they tried hard to have me. But as you know, as my history [was] in Manchester United, your heart, your feeling… make the difference. And of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson. I was surprised… But it was a conscious decision. Because the heart speaks, speaking loud in that moment.”
Ronaldo added:
“I think it was the key. It was the difference in that moment, but I cannot be loyal if I will, I wouldn’t say that Manchester City wasn’t close. I spoke with him [Ferguson]… He said to me that, ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City’. And I say, ‘OK, Boss’. So I took the decisions and… it was a good decision.”
Cristiano Ronaldo made a blockbuster return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021. However, his second stint at the club did not end well, as his contract was mutually terminated after a reported fallout with then manager Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in December 2022.
Edited by Pratyasha Sarkar
