Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he was close to signing for bitter rivals Manchester City last year but former manager Alex Ferguson asked him not to.
Ronaldo said Ferguson persuaded him to re-join United for a second spell at Old Trafford when he moved from Juventus in August, 2021 on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won eight major trophies from 2003-2009.
“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,” Ronaldo told Piers Morgan in an interview for TalkTV, the first part of which was aired on Wednesday.
“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.”
He added that Ferguson’s intervention helped him make up his mind to join United.
“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,” Ronaldo said.
“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.”
In an excerpt of the interview published on Sunday, Ronaldo said that United had betrayed him and alleged he was being forced out of the club.
The Portugal forward also said United did not support him when his daughter was taken to hospital in July, doubting him and showing a lack of empathy when he did not arrive on time for pre-season training.
No way back for Ronaldo at Man Utd, says Neville
Ronaldo’s contract at Manchester United should be terminated by the club, said former United captain Gary Neville.
“l don’t think he wants a way back,” Neville told Sky Sports. “He wouldn’t have done this interview if he wanted a way back. He knew it would bring the headlines it has and be the end of his Manchester United career.”
Ronaldo has just over six months left on his contract after rejoining United from Juventus in August 2021. The Portuguese won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his first stint at Old Trafford.
United failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, despite Ronaldo’s 24 goals in all competitions.
“I’m wondering what Man United are doing because the reality of it is they know they have to terminate Cristiano’s contract or they basically open up a precedent so any player can criticise them in the future,” added Neville.
“I agree with some of the things Cristiano has said, and many Man United fans will agree with many things Cristiano has said.
“But the reality is if you’re an employee within a business and say those things your employment has to terminate and Man United have to do that in the next few days.”
A banner of Ronaldo has already been removed from the facade of Old Trafford.
Australia offer ‘love and respect’ to woo Ronaldo
A-League boss Danny Townsend has made a bid to lure Ronaldo to the Australian top flight, while admitting it might not be able to compete financially with rival offers for the disaffected Manchester United star.
Townsend told Australian media yesterday that he had made an offer to Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, in case Ronaldo parts ways with United.
“(Ronaldo) said he wasn’t getting any love and respect at Manchester United but we’ll certainly give him plenty of love and respect in Australia,” Townsend said in comments published by News Corp.
“We might not be able to compete financially with other offers but we can compete in other ways.”
Ronaldo’s former United teammate Nani joined A-League club Melbourne Victory this season.
Ronaldo, the leading scorer in the history of men’s international football with 117 goals in 191 official matches, is preparing to lead Portugal in Qatar in his fifth World Cup.
“Obviously it’s a long shot but we’ve certainly got a compelling proposition for him here in Australia to consider,” Townsend told local radio station SportsFM earlier yesterday.
