Manchester United have a few big players they’ve missed out on over the years, but possibly none bigger than Ronaldinho.
David Gill has been speaking about a range of different topics from his time as Manchester United CEO. Among these are some interesting transfer stories including the transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo’s sale.
Now, however, he’s shed light onto a player that has long been one United fans have regretted missing out on. That is a wonderful talent who was the legendary Brazilian Ronaldinho.
Here’s what he said about the winger…
David Gill sheds light on failed Manchester United Ronaldinho deal
On Rio Ferdinand‘s FIVE podcast, Gill openly explained United’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to sign the 97-cap Brazil international, Ronaldinho, in 2003.
“We were never that close.” He admitted to begin with before explaining the story of the deal failing to come to fruition.
“We went over to Paris and met with his brother, his agent. Then we met them, Peter [Kenyon] and I met them at Manchester Airport and we went through and did all the numbers, nearly got an agreement on the wages and what we pay the agent, and Peter went back to Old Trafford and I took them to their flight and I just didn’t get a good vibe.
“Barcelona were in there. I’d done enough deals to know, if they really want to come ‘you get something there’. If Barcelona hadn’t been there we would have got him, but if Barcelona were there that was clearly his first choice.
“We had all the deal done the numbers were done I don’t think it was anything we did wrong, but Barcelona came along. We were close but no cigar.”
How good would Ronaldinho have been for Manchester United?
The now 43-year-old Brazilian is a player who’d have been a massive addition to Sir Alex Ferguson‘s side and could’ve resulted in an extra Champions League trophy or two.
If he was able to replicate his Barcelona career at Old Trafford he’d without a doubt have been a club legend. He made 207 appearances for the Catalan side, in which he scored 94 goals and assisted 70 as per Transfermarkt.
Under a manager like Sir Alex as well, he may have increased his longevity and so in the world of football, he could’ve gone down as an even greater legend.
Such a talented footballer deserved the chance to be a regular at the Theatre of Dreams, although with Ronaldo arriving later in the summer – the alternative wasn’t too bad either.
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