Gary Neville asked Sir Alex Ferguson if he always thought one Manchester United legend would reach the heights of success that he did in his career.
Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of Manchester United in 2013 after he led the club to their last Premier League title, which left one former player on the verge of tears at his departure.
The 82-year-old Scotsman oversaw incredible success during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford, including leading United to a famous continental treble win in 1999.
Ferguson managed several world-class players at United and was instrumental in bringing other talented players to Old Trafford during his legendary career.
The former United manager also failed in his bid to sign legendary footballers for the club, with Ferguson candidly opening up on the talented players he never managed.
Despite failing to land some top targets at United, Ferguson walked away with an incredible legacy and is widely considered one of the best managers of all time.
Gary Neville spent his entire club playing career under the iconic Scot and opened up about the trust that Ferguson placed in certain players in the United dressing room.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson never shouted at one Man Utd legend and it baffled one of his former players
Neville asks Ferguson about one Man Utd legend
During a fan Q&A, Sir Alex Ferguson was asked about which player he previously managed went on to achieve more success than he would have ever thought.
Ferguson hilariously teased Gary Neville by naming him first before he picked Manchester United legend Steve Bruce, with the Scotsman praising the latter.
Neville then asked Ferguson about Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial arrival at United and how his fellow club legend was “frustrating” during the early period of his spell.
The Sky Sports pundit then quizzed Ferguson on if he thought Ronaldo was destined to reach the top and the former United boss didn’t hesitate with his response.
Speaking on LADbible TV in 2021, Ferguson said: “Oh, absolutely. Well, his game… his first game against us [for] Sporting Lisbon and you [Gary Neville] took the day off that day.
“And John O’Shea had to play right-back, he was amazing, the kid. He was only 17, he was coming up for 18. He was amazing.”
Ferguson moved quickly to seal Ronaldo deal
Ferguson went on to explain that United moved quickly to ensure Ronaldo signed for the club after the Red Devils played against Sporting CP in a friendly match in 2003.
The former Aberdeen and United manager revealed that the plan to bring the 38-year-old Portuguese forward to Old Trafford was moved ahead of time.
According to Ferguson, the likes of Real Madrid and Arsenal began “hovering” over Ronaldo after he made a name for himself and United acted decisively on him.
“But you know we had all that prepared to bring him to the club, but it was going to be in the next year,” he continued.
“That was the arrangement. And Carlos Queiroz [Ferguson’s former assistant manager] organised it with the Sporting Lisbon people.
“But then he [came] into the first team and he was a sensation and immediately Real Madrid and Arsenal were all hovering and we had to move quickly.
“Fortunately, we got him in a little room after the game. Said to him that we [wanted] him to come back on the plane with us, but he said he wanted to speak to his mother.
“And the next day we got a private plane and brought him, his mother, his sister, his brother and his lawyer over and he signed.”
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