Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he was “close” to moving to Manchester City last summer but Sir Alex Ferguson’s intervention saw him choose Manchester United instead.
Ronaldo also said other clubs were interested in signing him from Juventus in 2021 but the 37-year-old followed “his heart” and rejoined United, despite them not initially being in the running for him.
The five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or also criticized young players, saying they “have it too easy” and “don’t care” about his advise.
He did, however, compliment other United players Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, and Casimero for their professionalism while referring to Roy Keane, a former United captain, as his “greatest ever captain.”
In clips previously aired this week from his interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, Ronaldo was also critical of former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick and United’s lack of investment in recent years.
“Well, honestly, it [moving to City] was close. They spoke a lot and Guardiola said two weeks ago that they tried hard to have me.
“But, as you know, my history is in Manchester United. Your heart, you’re feeling the way you did before, and it made the difference. And of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson. It was a conscious decision because the heart speaks loud in that moment.
“I think it [speaking with Ferguson] was the key. I wouldn’t say that Manchester City wasn’t close. But I think, I did [make] a conscious decision. I don’t regret at some point.
“And as you mentioned before, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key. I spoke with him… He said to me that ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City’. And I said ‘OK, Boss’.
“So I took the decisions and I repeat: I was with conscience that it was a good decision.
“It was a good moment, nobody expected it. Things changed around in 72 hours. You plan or they spoke, not only Man City but other clubs too. Manchester United wasn’t part of those teams but it surprised everybody, even me.”
“They [the young players] live in a different era. My kid is 12-years-old, the mentality is not the same. The anger [is the difference], they have things more easily. They don’t suffer. And they don’t care. I don’t mean only a few at Manchester United, I mean in all teams.
“The new generation and the new technologies, they distract them. But they are not the same [in the way] that they listen but this is why we have two ears, as you listen from one side and they go away from another side.
“So, it doesn’t surprise me. But in the same way, it’s a little bit [of a] shame because if they have the best examples in front of eyes, and if they don’t, at least copy what [they] did.
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“For me, it’s kind of weird, because I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, I always looked to see the best players: [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy, [Rio] Ferdinand, Roy Keane, and [Ryan] Giggs – this is why I have the success that I have and longevity. Because I take care of my body, my mentality, my head, because I see these guys and I learn from them.
