Best was absolutely spot on - apart from underestimating the longevity of his career by who knows how many years. Can you name the 100 most valuable British players right now?
But it would just be the start of a stellar career at Old Trafford. He replaced Nicky Butt after 61 minutes - and the skinny 18-year-old was electrifying, bamboozling the visiting defence and giving the Stretford End a new hero. It was an awful lot of trouble for a player who failed to live up to the hype and was sold to Nice after scoring four goals in 24 Premier League appearances. Transfer news LIVE:Chelsea step up their 46m pursuit of Sevilla's Kounde as Arsenal close in on Zinchenko 'They'd earned the right to get on! He was eventually replaced by Edwin van der Sar and moved toEverton on loan in 2006 before making the move permanent a year later. Sir Alex Ferguson welcomes Ronaldo and Brazilian midfielder Kleberson to the club in 2003, Kleberson was introduced to the crowd at Old Trafford ahead of the match against Bolton, A fan arrives at Old Trafford for the Bolton game with 'Ronaldo 7' on the back of his shirt - Ronaldo succeeded David Beckham as wearer of the No 7. On 12 August 2003, Manchester United completed the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo a transfer that will go down as one of the greatest in Premier League history. United's other replacement that day was Diego Forlan, a 'what if?' Heres why you can trust us. On August 16, 2003, a pair of substitutes made their debuts for Manchester United. One of his first touches was a Cruyff turn that took him away from two white shirted opponents before he began to run Bolton right-back Nicky Hunt ragged. But according to Italian agent Alessandro Moggi, Fergie swooped for Ronaldo in the nick of time, as his agent Jorge Mendes was simultaneously trying to facilitate a move for him to go to Italy. "Everyone is getting annoyed because we just want to go, but it turns out the manager and David Gill were in the stadium pretty much signing Cristiano Ronaldo there and then.". Jose Mourinho's new star man is revealed to have Rangers star Calvin Bassey completes 19m move to Ajax in record sale for Scottish giants with defender Ajax squad show their support for Sebastien Haller as they hold up their former team-mate's number before Beckham and Neville's Barcelona lesson!
Now, at the age of 36, Ronaldo returns after joining from Juventus and could begin his second spell at United this Saturday when they entertain Newcastle. But Ferguson knew a talent when he saw one and, apparently, so did his players, who persuaded their boss to sign the teenager there and then after he'd torn them to shreds in a pre-season friendly defeat by Sporting Lisbon a few weeks earlier. THE 2003-04 season wasn't the finest of Sir Alex Ferguson's Old Trafford reign - but the emergence of Cristiano Ronaldo still made it one to remember. Manuel Akanji BOOST, Antony twist as rivals join race, De Jong fuming, Zinchenko move CONFIRMED by Guardiola, training BRAWL emerges, Melo talks, Depay 'leaves defender for dust' with stunning skill and goal for Barcelona, Pavard 30m deal lined up, Kounde 47m signing AGREED, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Cristiano Ronaldo skipped past challenge after challenge on his United debut, Tim Howard made 77 appearances for United, Ferdinand became an Old Trafford great in his 12 years at the club, Fortune became the first South African to win the Premier League, Keane and Solskjaer were Old Trafford heroes, All three of these men tasted Premier League glory, Giggs was still a flying winger back in 2003, Scholes is Man United's third-highest appearance maker, Van Nistelrooy netted 150 goals in just 219 appearances for United, Ronaldo (right) proved to be a slightly more successful signing than Kleberson (left), came out of retirement to play for Memphis 901 FC, he most recently turned out for Swiss fifth-tier side FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues.
Ronaldo failed to win the Champions League with Juve in his three seasons with the Turin giants, but he lifted the trophy with United in 2008 and four times with Madrid. 'A few of my old team-mates were at the game and they compared him to me. Fortune is currently a technical coach at Championship outfit Reading. Having assisted Martin O'Neill as coach with Ireland and Nottingham Forest, Keane is now most often found rating, and more often slating, Premier League stars on Sky Sports or ITV. man at Old Trafford. After a turbulent off-season that saw Ferguson lose David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron - as well as miss out on Ronaldinho - the Scot took his side to Portugal for a friendly with Sporting CP. United has appointed Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag to replace interim coach Ralf Rangnick, and during his unveiling last month, he said that Ronaldo was part of his plans for the coming season. We always joked that Sheasy sealed the deal because he played like a f***ing clown against him.'. He was causing such mayhem that just 10 minutes after his entrance, uncertainty in the Trotters penalty area led to the starlet being hauled down by Kevin Nolan. ': Lee Westwood hits out at Sky's anti-LIV 'agenda' after reporter Free agent Luis Suarez 'is being offered to Borussia Dortmund' as the club considers how to cope without Adam Peaty declares himself fit for the Commonwealth Games after breaking his foot while LUNGING at a 'I'll sign the contract today': Tyson Fury DOUBLES DOWN on his claim he will come out of retirement to fight Granit Xhaka reveals he came 'very close' to leaving Arsenal last summer following interest from Jose Nate Diaz set for brutal octagon swansong after he agrees to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 in what is set Paulo Dybala signs for Roma but will he stick around?! Another who left Old Trafford for Everton to become a key man rather than a mere squad player. He was clearly well thought of at United though, as he returned back there now in a coaching capacity working with the club's Under-23s. ronaldo cristiano football manchester united You are talking about a lad who, if he stays injury-free, has 15 years ahead of him in the game. published 10 September 21, Bolton were the victims of the first of Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United debuts. 'It was a marvellous debut, almost unbelievable,' purred Ferguson at the end.
More of a centre midfielder, the South African was never going to nail down that position ahead of the likes of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes - but he did manage to carve out a squad position for himself as a left-back. UNITED XIEight Brazilian players to be barred from playing in Premier League this weekend, Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. It was difficult for me. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He handed in a transfer request in January of that season, eventually securing a move to Newcastle United in the summer. As the Old Trafford crowd gasped and lapped up the sudden entertainment in what had been a dull contest, Ronaldo won a penalty when Kevin Nolan tugged his shirt, but Van Nistelrooy was denied by Jussi Jaaskelainen. In fact, he more than exceeded them. Can you name every 10m+ player Sir Alex Ferguson signed for Man Utd? My team-mates helped me and Sir Alex Ferguson helped me. After their lacklustre performance, Butt, who quit as United's head of development earlier this year, and his teammates just wanted to get home. 'There's only one Ronaldo,' chanted the home fans at the final whistle; the same audience that had given his Brazilian namesake a standing ovation after a hat-trick there for Real Madrid a few months previous. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering Euro 2020 and the Clasico. United can only hope the magic remains as strong. 2006, December For other inquiries, Contact Us. The first went on to become one of the greatest players of all time; the second went on to become Eric Djemba-Djemba. By his own volition, Ronaldo switched from left flank to right and further goals from Giggs, Scholes and Van Nistelrooy late on gave the scoreline a one-sided appearance. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Butt says United spent three hours signing Ronaldo in Lisbon's car park, Ronaldo was so impressive in Lisbon's win over United in 2003 that Fergie didn't want to leave without him, Man United fans rush to snap up Ronaldo shirts at Old Trafford, who quit as United's head of development earlier this year, GET 60 IN FREE BETS ON ANY WORLD CUP QUALIFIER WITH BETFAIR. Watching the footage back, it is very obvious that Ronaldo was still a raw talent. Arsene Wenger was furious with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes when the Gunners lost out to United with an 8m fee already agreed and assurances made he could have his favoured No 28 shirt. For six years, they rarely stopped. I thought, Hes got the balls.. Ronaldo changed the game, sighed Sam Allardyce. Ronaldo replaces Nicky Butt with half-an-hour left as United look to kill off the contest, Ryan Giggs side-foots home his and United's second goal to effectively seal the three points. Behind only Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton in United's all-time leading appearance makers list, having made 718, Scholes went on to retire from England duty after Euro 2004, thus prolonging his Old Trafford career. His feet and his mind were just too quick for Wanderers. The crowd on that side of the ground responded as if a Messiah had materialised before their eyes.. Just four days later Ronaldo - now back at Old Trafford for a second stint - was included on the bench for his new side's Premier League season opener at home to Bolton. Published: 09:16 BST, 11 September 2021 | Updated: 14:18 BST, 11 September 2021, 'There have been a few players described as "the new George Best" over the years but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me'-George Best.
Every stepover was met with another cheer. Fizzer now manages David Beckham's Inter Miami. (1:17), Sources: Ronaldo asks for United exit to play UCL, LIVE Transfer Talk: Bayern busy as RB Leipzig's Laimer on radar, Transfer grades: Barcelona an A for Lewandowski, Lewandowski completes Barca move from Bayern, Raphinha scores, Barca trounce MLS side Inter Miami, Born for big moments: Andonovski lauds Morgan, Sources: City 20m apart on Cucurella valuation, Messi scores in PSG's 2-1 win over Kawasaki, Sources: MLS out as Lingard mulls Prem options, Dybala joins Mourinho's Roma on free transfer, Berhalter: Brooks needs to fit into game model, Goalkeeper awards 2021-22: Best shot-stopper, most improved, breakout star and more, Arsenal's Xhaka sets a few more things straight in ESPN interview, Why Chelsea's move to sign Koulibaly could get them back in title race, Spain need to be Spain, not try to be Barcelona. I have no regrets and I will never ever forget Sir Alex Ferguson because he changed my life. Sir Alex Ferguson actually played a big role in his United exit, and Neville said: "He didn't seem like a manager. ronaldo manchester united cristiano jersey number shirt man kit uniform utd football bring player His hero status will never change, regardless of how people assess his time as manager. "We were all just looking at him and thinking 'wow'. Thank you ASP Immigration Services Limited especially to Alice Sales Pabellon for the advise and guidance. He wants to go to Manchester United and I understand that. He was also awarded his first Ballon dOr as a Red Devils player in 2008. asked a Football League tribunal to settle the matter. The skilful long-haired goal-getter didn't quite make the cut at United, but proved to be a terrific player later in his career with Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Uruguay. He scored 118 goals in 292 games before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009, where he remained until joining Juventus in 2018. "We were all making excuses after the game; we were tired, it was a rubbish game, and we ended up sat on the team coach for about three hours after the game.
Retired after a brief spell at Celtic. A bona fide club legend, Keane is one of the most iconic figures that has ever appeared in English football. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). But that's precisely what 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo did on his Manchester United debut back in 2003. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. And the five-time Ballon d'Or has already made his intentions clear to his new teammates. The offer ends October 17, 2021. His range of passing became a thing of legend as he got older, and he even came out of retirement in January 2012 to play for another 18 months - winning a further league title before calling it a day for real in 2013. pic.twitter.com/bJKwfwRc96, Ronan Mullen (@RonanReigns) December 20, 2020. Manchester United were labouring against Bolton in their league season opener, leading 1-0 after an hour, when Ronaldo replaced Nicky Butt. But he realised I needed more than that.". Ronaldo, 37, has a contract with the Red Devils until June 2023, with an option to extend it for a further year, but has now asked to be transferred. Butt brought the curtain down following a brief spell in Hong Kong with South China. Having been assistant to Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, Giggs now manages the Wales national team, but was ordered to stay away for Euro 2020 - replaced by Rob Page - following his assault charge. View our online Press Pack. He did about 100 stepovers and earned a penalty, Kevin Davies later told FFT. - Sources: Man United close in on Malacia transfer The Norwegian's latter years at United were injury-hit, but he managed 127 goals for the club between 1996 and 2007 - none more priceless than that late, late strike in Barcelona. Butt finished his career in England in the second tier, however, after being relegated with the Magpies in 2009. Information from ESPN FC correspondent Rob Dawson was used in this report. MANCHESTER UNITED spent three hours signing Cristiano Ronaldo in his ex-club Sporting Lisbon's car park in 2003, Nicky Butt claims. Having failed to sign OliverKahn, United turned to Howard and hoped that he would solve their goalkeeping woes in thepost-PeterSchmeichelera. 
