The Red Devils showed their interest in the 36-year-old very late in the transfer window. But they roped him in from Juventus for £20 million, 12 years after his first departure from Manchester to join Real Madrid, where he spent nine years.
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his comeback to Old Trafford with a brilliant brace against Newcastle United (4-1). Ferguson was present in the stands to witness the Portuguese sensation in action.
The Scotsman added how Ronaldo worked very hard to be at the top and he has witnessed the Portugal icon’s career right from his younger days at Carrington. He shared Ronaldo’s indomitable commitment towards the game, which has made him an all-time great.
“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.’
“So I went into my office, looked out of the window and what did he do? He went on the astroturf. I had no argument!”
Ferguson recalled on the club’s official podcast.
The former United manager also highlighted Ronaldo’s decision to leave Old Trafford for Real Madrid back in 2009. He became a legend at Santiago Bernabeu and won several accolades in nine years before leaving joining Juve.
On Saturday, Solskjaer’s men lost the Premier League match against Aston Villa (1-0). Ronaldo will look to boost the morale of his teammate ahead of their Champions League match against Villareal (September 29).
