Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson was planning on bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford in the summer of 2013.
Real Madrid signed the Portuguese international in 2009 after the star forward enjoyed a successful spell in England, which was him win the Champions League as well. Since joining the La Liga giants, Ronaldo has been constantly linked with a move to Red Devils.
Ferguson announced his retirement after helping United win the 20th league title in the 2012-13 season. Before confirming his decision to step down from his post, the Scot had assured Evra that he will be in charge of the clubs for the next five years and was 99 percent sure of re-signing Ronaldo from Real.
“I remember we talked maybe two weeks before [he announced his retirement] and he said ‘Patrice, I will be here for another five years.’ I said ‘yes boss, let’s do it’. I was so convinced. He was looking younger and younger,” Evra told The Sunday Times.
“He even told me ’99 per cent, Cristiano Ronaldo will come’. I was like ‘wow, we are ready to bounce back and to even win the Champions League again’.
“After that everyone knows what happened. You know when you are lost and you feel like the world is crumbling? It was a big trauma. I felt lost.”
Ferguson left United and was replaced by David Moyes, who arrived at Old Trafford from Everton. Under his guidance, the English giants endured a difficult time in the Premier League era.
Moyes was sacked 10 months into his six year contract and was replaced by Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman helped United return to the Champions League this season and are currently five points behind league leaders in the table.
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder and Ronaldo’s “good friend” Jose Semedo admitted the Portuguese superstar will return to England before deciding to hang his boots.
“He is very happy at Real Madrid and he loves English football, he loves English people and deep down I think he will come back to England,” Semedo told Talksport.
“He doesn’t like he wants to finish his career without coming back to England. He said he would wish Real Madrid is in England, but that is not possible so I believe he will end his career in English football.”
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