Cristiano Ronaldo says he was close to joining Manchester City before following his “heart” by rejoining Manchester United.
The Portugal forward made headlines earlier this week after telling talk TV he felt “betrayed” by the club.
The first part of the full interview was released on Wednesday in which he went into more detail about the events at Old Trafford.
“Honestly, it was close,” he said of possibly joining the city.
Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in August 2021 – 11 years after he left the club to join Real Madrid.
It was reported at the time that he was wanted by City boss Pep Guardiola and, although Ronaldo confirmed interest, he said he decided to sign for United after speaking to his old manager Sir Alex Ferguson. What did
The 37-year-old added: “As you know, my history at Manchester United, your heart, you feeling like you did before, makes a difference. And of course, Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I spoke to him. He said to me, ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City’. And I said ‘OK, boss’.
‘Young Players Don’t Care’
Ronaldo, who will miss Portugal’s friendly with Nigeria on Thursday due to a stomach bug, criticized the behavior and professionalism of the young footballers during the interview, calling them “respect” from his older and more experienced teammates. Accused of not doing it.
“Their appetite [is different],” he added. “I think they have things more easily, everything is easier, they don’t suffer – and they don’t care.
“I don’t mean just a few people at Manchester United, but all the teams in all the leagues in the world, the young people of my generation are not the same.
“But you can’t blame them, because it’s part of life and the new generation, the new technologies that distract them.”
Ronaldo singled out his United and Portugal team-mate Diego Dalot, 23, as one of the few young players he admired.
Ronaldo also said Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro are other players he admires at the club.
‘At Manchester United I can mention Dalot,’ he said. “He is young, but very professional but I have no doubt that he is going to have a long life in football because he is young, he is smart, intelligent and he is very professional. Maybe Martinez, Casemiro 30 years. are, but I would say Deloitte.’
‘I’ve Never Heard of Colorants’
Just two months after Ronaldo’s return to United, his former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked as manager and replaced by Ralf Rangnick, who was named interim coach until the end of the season.
The German has coached RB Leipzig, Schalke and several other clubs in his native country and is credited with influencing managers such as Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel with his football philosophy.
But Ronaldo said he was surprised by the appointment.
“This guy isn’t even a coach,” he added. “A big club like Manchester United surprised not only me but the whole world by taking the direction of the sport.”
Asked if he had heard of Ranjanic, Ronaldo added: “No, not at all.
“I respect [him], all the coaches in my career I’ve had to call him boss, but deep down I’ve never seen him as a boss because I saw some points that I Never agreed.”
