Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester: Sir Alex Ferguson, the “spiritual father” of CR7

Announced at the city’s historic rival, Manchester City, striker Cristiano Ronaldo finally signed up for Manchester United, his former club between 2003 and 2009. Everything changed on Friday August 27 with the call of Sir Alex Ferguson, the iconic former coach of the Red Devils.

His team-mate in selection, Bruno Fernandes and former partners at MU, such as Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand, played an important role in this transaction. However, the real turning point in the decision of the Lusitanian star was the call of the Scottish coach, true spiritual father of CR7 for almost 20 years.

Ferguson’s favorite in 2003

During a friendly match for the inauguration of the José Alvalade stadium in Lisbon (Portugal) on August 6, 2003, the young Cristiano Ronaldo impressed the emblematic coach of Manchester United under the colors of Sporting (3-1) for his first professional season . The Scottish coach decides to put the means to afford this nugget from Portugal and compensate for the departure of David Beckham.

Despite enormous pressure put on his shoulders upon his arrival, the Portuguese prodigy was placed high in the hierarchy, passing in particular in front of confirmed international players, like the striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, yet adored by fans but pushed towards the exit thereafter.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s taste for work

Criticized for his personal side during his debut with number 7 at MU, Cristiano Ronaldo has always been protected by his manager, who saw him as a future star.

“He trained an extra half hour after each training. This is the most direct path to becoming a complete footballer. The more you train, the better you get. When he left us he was still young and I knew he was going to be one of the best, ”Ferguson said in an interview with The Sun.

Ferguson on and off the pitch

Present during the death of his father, Sir Alex Ferguson has always accompanied Cristiano Ronaldo by being more than a simple coach. He has also kept in touch with him since his departure from Manchester in 2009. One thing that allowed him to materialize this transfer, with a last-minute call allowing the Red Devils to win the bet concerning his transfer this summer from Juventus Turin.

“He was like a father to me. He taught me everything. He has helped and guided me on so many things. As well in football as in life. His influence and interest in people doesn’t stop at the sidelines. He knows what you want and what you need. I owe him a lot, ”confided the Portuguese genius in the columns of the Sun during the 2012-2013 season.

In order to materialize this arrival, which was however not on the agenda lately, Sir Alex Ferguson played his contacts by calling Jorge Mendes, the agent of CR7, as well as the management of the Mancunian club, who finally made a decent offer on Friday.

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