Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Manchester United signed Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003 because of the failed transfer of Ronaldinho from PSG.
Ferdinand told You-Tube channel The Obi One Podcast:
It was actually lucky that we signed him (Ronaldo) because it was only on the disappointment of not signing Ronaldinho that summer. We tried to sign Ronaldinho, and he chose to leave PSG and went to Barcelona. I remember the manager was devastated.
The Portuguese played for the Red Devils from 2003 to 2009 and from 2021 to 2022. In total, he played 346 matches for the team, scoring 145 goals and making 64 assists. In a recent interview, the 38-year-old forward didn't rule out retiring after the current season.
