Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 was inevitable for some time. The Portuguese winger never played down speculation but gave Manchester United his best to honour the club before departing for pastures new.
Even if he agreed with former Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who described Ronaldo as a ‘slave’, as per The Guardian, the Portuguese star remained a favourite among fans.
It’s worth remembering that Blatter, who had close ties at Real Madrid at the time, is currently serving a six-year ban from participating in FIFA activities. Maybe we should ask Mr Blatter on the Strettycast to discuss slavery and how he feels about bribery?
In December 2008, Fergie spoke about the potential deal, saying: “You don’t think we’d get into a contract with that mob, do you? Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t sell them a virus.”
Hah!
After winning the Premier League and Champions League double in 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson worked hard to convince Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals that season, to stay put.
But he didn’t hide the fact that he would leave Old Trafford from his United team-mates and a year later he joined Real Madrid for a then world record fee of £80m.
Speaking on the UTD Podcast, former United winger Nani said: “We would stay at the end of training to do competitions and they [Anderson and Ronaldo] were my teammates, everyone has best friends and some they feel more comfortable with and they were my support.
“Some days he [Ronaldo] was telling us openly, ‘I’m here six or seven years now, I think it’s enough for me.’ He said that a couple of times.
“But it was always, ‘I will see, I will see, I will see’ but we never thought it [Real Madrid] would happen so fast. After we won the league in the second year he left, he produced a great season so we were still surprised.”
Now Manchester United appear to be in the transfer market for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho. The big question is can he be our new start on the right wing?
Only time will tell.
“Bolton away finished Piqué’s career at United. He was young and got bullied there. I always remember Vidic would be in the gym for two or three days before Bolton, pumping himself up.” Who said this?
READ MORE: Manchester United send fans message on games played behind closed doors
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