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Cristiano Ronaldo: Former Man Utd team-mate makes Sir Alex Ferguson claim
CRISTIANO RONALDO returned to Old Trafford on Tuesday evening as a Juventus player.
It’s been over nine years since Ronaldo said goodbye to Manchester United.
The Portuguese winger made the £80m switch to Real Madrid where he won four Champions League titles.
Former Manchester United team-mate Quinton Fortune has opened up on Ronaldo’s days with the club.
Ronaldo first caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson when Sporting Lisbon played United in a friendly in August 2003.
Five days later he had completed a £12.8m switch to Manchester.
“The first time I saw Ronaldo he was terrorising us from every angle – and you’re thinking: ‘Don’t come my side,’” Fortune told the Guardian.
“Afterwards in the changing room players were saying: ‘What did we just witness?’ He was absolutely amazing.”
Ronaldo made his United debut against Bolton in a 4-0 win, George Best described it as “the best debut I’ve ever seen.”
“I remember watching the boss’s reaction after the game,” Fortune added.
“He was smiling, as if to say: ‘What is this we just witnessed?’”
Ronaldo will be remembered as one of the all-time greats when he hangs up his boots on his playing career.
Fortune credits Sir Alex Ferguson for the influential role he had on Ronaldo’s career.
A great coach and above all a wonderful man. Taught me so many things inside and outside the pitch. Great to see you in good shape, Boss! pic.twitter.com/Ql4dcuJvCW
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) 24 October 2018
“Sir Alex nurtured him,” Fortune said.
“He couldn’t have asked for a better foundation and support. And together, oh my goodness, those two would rule the world. It was a perfect combination.”
Ronaldo enjoyed a memorable return to Old Trafford as Juventus won 1-0 to continue their 100 per cent record in the Champions League group stages.
After the game he tweeted a picture of him and his former boss. The caption read: “A great coach and above all a wonderful man. Taught me so many things inside and outside the pitch. Great to see you in good shape, Boss!”