BRAZILIAN midfielder Kleberson has revealed he was tricked into signing for Manchester United by Ronaldinho.
The 2002 World Cup winner had received interest from both Man United and Leeds ahead of the 2003/04 season and was undecided on where he should go.
Kleberson signed for Man United but Ronaldinho chose Barcelona instead
And now the 40-year-old has admitted it was a conversation he had with fellow countryman and 2005 Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho which convinced him to join The Red Devils.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, he said: “There were two clubs interested in signing me: Manchester United and Leeds.
“It was an easy choice, but there’s a funny story about it, too. When [Manchester] United’s interest in me was confirmed, I was with the national team in France for the FIFA Confederations Cup.
“I can remember it clearly: I was with Ronaldinho and his brother/agent, Assis. Ronaldinho said, ‘They want to sign both of us’ and I said, ‘OK, let’s go, then!’”
However, as Man United fans will know, Ronaldinho never arrived at Old Trafford, something Kleberson has still not forgotten 16 years on.
“I was so glad that he would be coming with me,” he added.
“I went back to Brazil and kept negotiating with United, but then Ronaldinho fooled me and went to play in the warm weather at Barcelona! He sent me to Manchester.
“That’s a joke between us until today. He knows that he owes me one.”
Kleberson stayed at United for two years before moving to Turkey to play for Besiktas.
While in Manchester, he played a total of 30 games, scoring two goals, and failed to really make a significant impact.
He retired in 2016 after a season with Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Kleberson and Cristiano Ronaldo pose for photos after joining Man United in 2003Credit: PA:Press Association
Ronaldinho rolls back the years to produce a no-look assist to help seal a 2-0 victory for Santa Fe
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
