Cristiano Ronaldo admits Sir Alex Ferguson is the main reason he has decided to return to Manchester United.
Ronaldo posted a gushing message to the club on social media on Tuesday after completing his £19.6 million move from Juventus on deadline day, signing off with: ‘PS – Sir Alex, this one is for you…’
In his first interview, the Portugal star went into more depth over his relationship with Ferguson, the manager who brought him over form Sporting Lisbon to launch a glittering career in 2003 and stepped in again last week to ensure Ronaldo joined United ahead of Manchester City.
‘As everybody knows, since I signed at 18, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key,’ he told MUTV.
‘I remember when we played against Manchester when I was at Sporting Lisbon. For me, Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father in football for me. He helped me a lot, he taught me many things, and in my opinion of course he had a big role because the relationship that we had, we keep in touch all the time, and he’s an unbelievable person.
‘I really like him a lot and he was the main key for me to be in the position that I am, that I signed for Manchester United.’
United made their move after Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes held talks with City over a shock move to the Etihad.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will join up with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his new teammates after the international break and is set to make his debut at home to Newcastle a week on Saturday.
He said: ‘I think it’s the best decision that I have made it. It’s right on point in my opinion. I moved from Juve now to Manchester, it’s a new chapter, I’m so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies.
‘As you know, I have a fantastic history with this amazing club. I was there at 18-years-old and of course I’m so happy to be back home after 12 years. So I’m really glad and looking forward to start my first game.’
On his relationship with Solskjaer, Ronaldo added: ‘Well, we had a chat, but of course I’m going to have time to speak with him face to face, to know what he expects.
‘As you know, I played with him for two or three years at Manchester United so I have a good relationship with him but now with a different role, I’m a player and he’s a coach.
‘But it doesn’t matter, my relationship with him is great and as I say before, I’m there in Manchester to help the team achieve his results and the coach can count on me for whatever he wants. So I’m available for everything.’
United fans celebrated the former Real Madrid star’s return after 12 years during Sunday’s win at Wolves, singing ‘Viva Ronaldo’ throughout the game at Molineux.
‘The fans is the key of football,’ he said. ‘Now, with all the stadiums full of supporters, it’s not the same that we had one year ago, those empty stadiums. The fans, they are the key, and I’m so glad.
‘The Manchester United fans, they are special, I know, I remember very well. I know they still sing my music which has made me feel even more happy.
‘My commitment is to give everything on the pitch, like I did before, like I do it all the time, and try to do my best, help the team score goals, make assists, win games, and I hope to see them very, very soon.’
‘I remember when we played against Manchester when I was at Sporting Lisbon. For me, Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father in football for me.
‘He helped me a lot, he taught me many things, and in my opinion of course he had a big role because the relationship that we had, we keep in touch all the time, and he’s an unbelievable person. I really like him a lot and he was the main key for me to be in the position that I am, that I signed for Manchester United.’
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