Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was convinced Cristiano Ronaldo was on the verge of returning to Old Trafford in 2013.
According to Evra, Ferguson was so confident about Ronaldo’s comeback that he privately told him the deal was “99 per cent” complete just days before his shock retirement announcement.
The revelation offers fresh insight into what could have been one of the biggest transfers in modern football history, reports Mirror.
Ronaldo had left Manchester United for Real Madrid CF in 2009 for a then-world record fee, but he remained regularly linked with a return to England throughout his time in Spain.
Ferguson reportedly wanted to bring him back while the Portuguese icon was still at the peak of his powers rather than years later.
Old Trafford Return Nearly Happened Much Earlier
Ronaldo eventually returned to Manchester United in 2021, but by then he was no longer in the same explosive phase of his career.
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That is why Evra’s comments have reignited debate over how different things could have been if Ferguson had stayed and completed the deal in 2013.
For many supporters, it remains one of football’s biggest missed opportunities.
A prime Ronaldo under Ferguson once again could have changed the course of Manchester United’s post-title era.
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