Manchester: Sir Alex Ferguson has finally revealed his feelings over Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the Old Trafford. The former Manchester United manager who was present at the stadium on September 11 against Newcastle United was elated at Ronaldo’s ‘ fantastic’, ‘Ceaser’ like debut .
“It’s fantastic,” said Ferguson. “You saw on that Saturday that it was like Caesar entering Rome after victory. I came, I saw, I conquered. It was fantastic”
Manchester United had probably pulled the biggest coup , when they successfully brought back Ronaldo to Old Trafford after 12 years on a transfer deadline day, after the talisman had almost signed for the arch rivals Manchester City.
Ronaldo made his debut for the Red Devil’s for a second time against Newcastle United on September 11 , featuring twice in the scoresheet that night. Since then Ronaldo found the net four times for the club across four matches. Talking of the atmosphere that night at the stadium, Sir Alex said ,
” I mean, for anyone who is a United fan, we could have had a million people in there, without doubt, as there were so many outside, hundreds outside. It’s one of these things. ”
The most successful manager in the history of the club, Sir Alex was a huge part of Ronaldo success in between 2003 and 2009 ,his first stint at the English Club. Talking of those times , Ferguson said :
“When he was here as a kid, his learning process was very, very quick.”
“A lot of people said he was a diver and there was a little spell of that but, after that, he was attacking defenders and all he needed was a nudge and he would waltz by them. He would attack with unbelievable speed. I think the increasing knowledge of his game – I think he was born with a desire.”
“He sacrificed himself to be the best. I remember we were playing Arsenal on the Saturday and it was pouring with rain at Carrington. I said to him, and you know he would always practice after training, and I said, ‘In. We’ve got a game tomorrow and it’s too wet. The ground is too soft.’ ” said Sir Alex.
“So I went into my office, looked out of the window and what did he do? He went on the astro turf. I had no argument! I couldn’t say anything to him. He’s beat me.”
Manifesting his feelings over Ronaldo’s departure back in 2009 , Sir Alex stated that he knew that the Portuguese skipper would sign for Real Madrid and he wasn’t surprised at his success with the Spanish Giants.
“He had a dream of going to Real Madrid,” the legendary Scottish head coach added.
“I was not against that, six years was great for a boy from Madeira, getting him here just after his 18th birthday and having him six years. I think we did well that way and it gave me a chance to get a replacement. We got Antonio Valencia and he was fantastic so we were very lucky that way.”
“I knew [how good he would become]. Absolutely. I knew that. When he got to that kind of platform at Real Madrid. To be fair to Real, they are one club that has produced world-class players for years and years and won the European cup so many times, 13 or something. You’ve got to give them credit – it is a platform where any great player would love to go to.”
Ronaldo will be back to action for United on Tuesday , as they take on VillarReal in the Champions League as they anticipate to turn tables since last season’s Europa League finals when Unai Emery’s side got the better of them.
