Cristiano Ronaldo's career could have taken a different direction in 2013, when he had yet to win a Champions League with Real Madrid. This was recently revealed by Patrice Evra on ‘The Obi One Podcast’, the show hosted by former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel, as the Frenchman learned first-hand that the Portuguese could return to what had been his home until just a few years earlier.

According to the Frenchman, Sir Alex Ferguson at the time still could continue winning titles with Manchester United, but the Glazers refused to put up the almost €240 million the Scot wanted to strengthen the team.

According to the former Manchester United player, Ferguson had decided to sign Gareth Bale and had also agreed to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo, who had not been doing well in the Spanish capital at the time.

"Ferguson said to me: ‘Patrice, Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to come back at 99 per cent and Gareth Bale wants to come too’. He needed £200m - about €240m - but they didn't give it to him then and now the club spends £1bn on anything," the former France international reflected.

"That was in 2013, just before he retired, so I remember it perfectly, because I came out of his office and I was thinking: ‘OK, Cristiano comes back, Gareth Bale signs.... We're back in the fight for everything," Evra added. "Ferguson made it clear, he said he needed to win more Champions League," said the Frenchman.

After failing to fulfil his plans, Ferguson opted out of football and Evra recalled one of the most bitter episodes of his career: "It was one of the saddest days of my life. I didn't cry, I was in shock. A few days before, he had called me in his office and he looked like he wanted to go on. He said to me: ‘Look at all those people, they think I'm going to retire, but I'm going to be here for another 10 years. We have to win the Champions League again."

Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have not won the Premier League again and have only managed to win 7 titles. Internationally, the Europa League of the 2016-17 season remains the Red Devil's greatest success, while in English football the Old Trafford outfit have won 2 FA Cups (2015-16 and 2023-24), 2 EFL Cups (2016-17 and 2022-23) and 2 Community Shields (2013 and 2016).

Cristiano Ronaldo, who according to Evra was set to return to Manchester United in 2013, did not do so until 2021 and by the time he returned he was old enough to be able to make an impact at the club. Instead, he enjoyed his most successful spell at Real Madrid between 2013 and 2018.

 

September 30, 2024