Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular return to Manchester United was made possible by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Manchester City’s announcement earlier this week that they were in discussions to sign Ronaldo infuriated United fans.
Many of them were left speechless for days after hearing the news. Of course, this isn’t the first time a former United player has returned to Manchester’s blue end.
Carlos Tevez, Peter Schmeichel, and Denis Law are the three players that have done it. But Ronaldo has always been a source of pride for Manchester United, so the prospect of him joining City made me sick.
Ferguson was no exception, having taken an 18-year-old Cristiano to Old Trafford in 2003.
The Scot reacted quickly, personally calling CR7, his agent Jorge Mendes, and members of United’s board of directors.
He couldn’t just stand by and watch City make a move at his former protege.
‘There is a bond between Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson’
Ferguson’s actions, according to The Athletic, were “decisive.” Ronaldo, who viewed Sir Alex as a father figure during his first term at United, was persuaded by his intervention that a legacy-tarnishing move to City was out of the question.
“Cristiano and Sir Alex Ferguson have a bond,” Ferdinand stated on his YouTube channel as he raised a glass of champagne to toast his former teammate’s comeback.
“Very few players have that opportunity with a manager during their career. Sir Alex played a crucial role. Cristiano was not going to Man United without first chatting with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with the board’s quick actions
The famous manager, who has long wished to lure Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, maintained constant communication with United’s leadership to ensure that they were doing everything necessary to re-sign the Portuguese superstar.
He also kept in touch with Mendes to ensure that everything happened as planned.
Mendes and United then reached a verbal agreement for a two-year contract late Thursday night.
United’s management had already begun talks with Juventus on Friday morning. Ed Woodward and the Italian club reached an agreement on a deal for an initial €15 million with up to €8 million in bonuses. Ferguson was happy with the executive vice-and chairman’s the rest of the board’s quick steps.
On the same day, Ronaldo drove to the Juventus training facility, packed his stuff, informed the team that he would be travelling to Manchester, and then flew to Lisbon.
United quickly announced the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s return to the world after City had thrown in the towel.
