Cristiano Ronaldo joined Man Utd in 2003 (Image: GETTY)
That is the revelation from former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards today.
Instead, the Red Devils already had Portugal’s to-be superstar on their radar when they went face-to-face with him for the first time.
Legend has it that United’s players urged Sir Alex Ferguson to buy Ronaldo after the then-teenager helped Sporting to a 3-1 friendly win over the Red Devils.
Ronaldo did join Ferguson’s regime that summer and took the Premier League by storm over a glittering six-year period.
But Ferguson knew all about the talent before that showdown with Sporting, says Edwards.
"There is the legend that we bought (Ronaldo) because after a friendly in August with Sporting our players went to Ferguson to convince him to buy him immediately,” Edwards told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“They said ‘Boss, buy him’.”
“But in reality Sir Alex already knew of him, thanks to (Carlos) Queiroz, his Portuguese assistant, who had already spoken to him (about Ronaldo).”
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Man Utd alongside Kleberson (Image: GETTY)
Cristiano Ronaldo played for Sporting Lisbon against Man Utd - but Ferguson already knew about him (Image: GETTY)
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Cristiano Ronaldo made his Man Utd debut against Bolton in 2004 (Image: GETTY)
Cristiano Ronaldo went on to become a Man Utd legend (Image: GETTY)
Ronaldo went on to win three Premier League titles with Manchester United, the Champions League, FA Cup and two League Cups.
"When I saw him for the first time, at the age of 18, with Bolton in August I was excited,” Edwards added.
“He did certain tricks with the ball.
“He was more than a one-trick pony, he was a horse with a special talent, who liked to amaze.