Patrice Evra has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was 99 percent certain that Cristiano Ronaldo would be returning to Manchester United only weeks before the Scottish coach retired from the game.
As reported by the Sunday Times, the French left-back—who currently features for reigning Serie A champions Juventus—has confirmed that Ferguson was almost sure that United would be welcoming back the Portuguese superstar.
“He even told me ‘99 percent, Cristiano Ronaldo will come.’” Evra began, recounting a discussion the two men had in 2013, before the coach announced his retirement in May 2013. “I was like ‘wow, we are ready to bounce back and to even win the Champions League again.’”
The defender confirmed that Ferguson had been planning to extend his United career by a further five years, only for the death of his wife’s twin sister to bring forward his departure from Old Trafford.
Clearly, Ferguson’s departure ultimately ruled out any chance of a Ronaldo return to Manchester, as the forward ultimately opted to remain at the Bernabeu.
Evra would be gone a year later, and has admitted that Ferguson’s exit influenced his decision to depart.
“After that everyone knows what happened,” the left-back continued. “You know when you are lost and you feel like the world is crumbling? It was a big trauma. It felt lost.”
The Portguese forward enjoyed six years at Old Trafford, making just short of 200 league appearances and scoring 84 goals in the EPL.
SEE MORE:
Ousted Arsenal star wants Emirates Stadium return
Manchester United & Arsenal tracking Premier League teenager
Chelsea & Man United in transfer war for £57.3m La Liga superstar
He won the English title on three occasions, the FA Cup on 2004 and the Champions League in 2008.
Recently, Ronaldo’s buddy Jose Semedo expressed his confidence that his pal would return to the Premier League before the end of his career.
He is very happy at Real Madrid and he loves English football, he loves English people and deep down I think he will come back to England,” the Sheffield Wednesday player told talkSPORT.