MANCHESTER UNITED won the race to sign Cristiano Ronado in 2003 because Sir Alex Ferguson showed his faith in him.
Arsenal and Liverpool had also been linked to the Portuguese star, but super-agent Jorge Mendes has revealed why he picked the Red Devils.
Sir Alex Ferguson had his sights firmly set on signing Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ronaldo, 35, has admitted that he was on the verge of joining the Gunners before Manchester United landed him.
At the age of 18, he attracted interest from a host of Europe’s biggest clubs while playing for Sporting Lisbon.
Mendes has now lifted the lid on how Ferguson’s approach ensured United won the race for the star’s signature.
He said: “I’ve always maintained that the coach is, in the end, the most important component in any transfer.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a perfect answer.
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“Every club wanted him, but they all wanted him to have another season loaned back to Sporting.
“The only person who seemed willing to take him on immediately was Sir Alex Ferguson and, at that time, I had no doubt it was the best solution.
“My decision, made without a second thought, was that Manchester United was the ideal club for him.
“I’m sure that, if Cristiano Ronaldo had stayed at Sporting, he wouldn’t have played half the game he played for Manchester United in the first season.
“At the end of which, by the way, he was voted the team’s best player by the fans.”
Ronaldo spent six years with the Premier League giants following the £12million move from Portugal.
Fergie stayed true to his word and Ronaldo made 29 league appearances for the Red Devils in the 2003/04 season.
In total for the club before he left to join Real Madrid in 2009, he scored 118 goals in 292 appearances.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
