Ronaldo signed for United five days after the friendly
Cristiano Ronaldo says Sir Alex Ferguson introduced him to Manchester United players and wanted to sign him straight after playing in a friendly for Sporting Lisbon against his side in 2003.
The Real Madrid forward, who spent six fruitful years at Old Trafford under Ferguson, was signed just five days after Sporting had beaten United 3-1 in a friendly in Lisbon.
Ronaldo, who is promoting his Nike CR7 Chapter 3 boots, a homage to his time at Sporting Lisbon, says Ferguson pulled him into the United dressing room after the game.
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles at Old Trafford
Ronaldo said: "The first game that I played against Manchester United was an unbelievable game. It was the perfect night, the perfect night.
"After the game some of my team-mates said: 'Listen, you're going to go to Manchester, trust me!'
"Sir Alex Ferguson was there, and [they said] he wants to speak with you. I go to the dressing room, he introduced me to the players.
Ronaldo tells the story of the time he dazzled United and Ferguson while playing for Sporting Lisbon in 2003
"For me, I was a little bit shy. And Sir Alex Ferguson said to me: 'Listen, I want you now.'
"Everything came so fast, and two days after I speak to the coach and they take me to England, and I was in Manchester, and I signed."
Ronaldo spent six years with Sporting Lisbon, and having gone on to win the Ballon d'Or three times in his career, the Portugal forward has not forgotten his roots.
The Portugal forward moved to Real Madrid in 2009
"The history that I have with Sporting, it is great, it's an honour for me to be in this family.
"Sporting helped me to give me a good education, not just on the pitch, but outside the pitch."
@winnieant
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