MANCHESTER United forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he was close to signing for bitter rivals Manchester City last year but former manager Alex Ferguson asked him not to.
Ronaldo said Ferguson persuaded him to re-join United for a second spell at Old Trafford when he moved from Juventus in August, 2021 on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won eight major trophies from 2003-2009.
"Well, honestly, it was close... It's something they spoke (about) a lot and (Manchester City manager Pep) Guardiola said two weeks ago, I guess, that they tried hard to have me," Ronaldo told Piers Morgan in an interview for TalkTV, the first part of which was aired on Wednesday.
"But as you know, as my history (was) in Manchester United, your heart, your feeling... make the difference. And of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I was surprised... But it was a conscious decision. Because the heart speaks, speaking loud in that moment."
He added that Ferguson's intervention helped him make up his mind to join United.
"I think it was the key. It was the difference in that moment, but I cannot be loyal if I will, I wouldn't say that Manchester City wasn't close," Ronaldo said.
"I spoke with him (Ferguson)... He said to me that, 'It's impossible for you to come to Manchester City'.
"And I say, 'OK, Boss'. So I took the decisions and... it was a good decision."
In an excerpt of the interview published on Sunday, Ronaldo said that United had betrayed him and alleged he was being forced out of the club.
The Portugal forward also said United did not support him when his daughter was taken to hospital in July, doubting him and showing a lack of empathy when he did not arrive on time for pre-season training.
United said on Monday that they would address Ronaldo's comments that he felt betrayed by the club and was being forced out only after establishing the full facts.
Reuters
Thu Nov 17 2022
Ronaldo said Ferguson persuaded him to re-join Man United for a second spell at Old Trafford when he moved from Juventus in August, 2021 on a two-year deal. - StadiumAstro/Filepic
Matrade sasar ketengahkan 150 syarikat Malaysiaa di CAEXPO 2024
Matrade menyasar untuk menampilkan 150 syarikat Malaysia di CAEXPO 2024 yang akan berlangsung di Nanning, China dari 24 hingga 28 Sept, 2024.
Malaysia perlu guna kepakaran, sumber secara kolektif bagi memacu industri halal - Tengku Zafrul
Malaysia perlu memanfaatkan kepakaran dan sumber secara kolektif bagi memacu pertumbuhan dan pembangunan mampan dalam industri halal.
PRK KKB: Larangan berpolitik di masjid, surau masih berkuat kuasa - JAIS
Larangan itu turut termasuk sepanjang tempoh kempen Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) yang sedang berlangsung.
Maritim Malaysia gagalkan cubaan seludup 35 warga asing
Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (Maritim Malaysia) menggagalkan cubaan menyeludup masuk 35 pendatang asing warga Filipina di perairan Kudat, petang semalam.
TM akan percepatkan penggunaan teknologi AI tahun ini - Pengerusi
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) sedang berhasrat untuk mempercepatkan lagi usaha dalam teknologi kecerdasan buatan (AI) tahun ini.
Akta Pembangunan Mineral 1994 perlu dipinda bagi penuhi keperluan REE negara
Akta Pembangunan Mineral 1994 perlu dipinda dalam usaha memenuhi keperluan pembangunan kerangka model perniagaan unsur nadir bumi (REE) negara.
Pasaran getah Malaysia ditutup tinggi jejaki prestasi serantau
Ia seiring dengan pengukuhan niaga hadapan getah Shanghai berikutan sentimen dirangsang oleh data ekonomi China yang menggalakkan.
Kebakaran hutan tanah gambut di Rompin dijangka dipadamkan sepenuhnya seminggu lagi
Kebakaran di kawasan hutan tanah gambut di Rompin sejak Sabtu lepas dijangka dapat dipadamkan sepenuhnya dalam tempoh seminggu lagi.
Fahmi bidas kenyataan Dr Afif mengenai calon PH bagi PRK
Fahmi membidas Ahli Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi Bersatu Dr Afif Bahardin yang dianggapnya membuat kenyataan seksis terhadap calon PH bagi PRK KKB, Pang Sock Tao.
Etika kewartawanan bezakan wartawan warga dengan pengamal media sebenar - Fahmi
Etika kewartawanan yang teguh amat penting dalam memastikan kemampanan industri media di negara ini.
Ronaldo digantung dua perlawanan kerana berkelakuan ganas
Cristiano Ronaldo digantung dua perlawanan kerana menyiku lawan dan mengancam menyerang pengadil selepas Al Nassr tewas kepada Al Hilal.
Juventus kaji semula keputusan diarah bayar Ronaldo RM50 juta
Mahkamah timbang tara arah Juventus bayar gaji tertunggak 9.8 juta euro kepada Ronaldo.
Ronaldo hampir tumbuk pengadil selepas terima kad merah
Ronaldo dilihat berang selepas diprovokasi pemain pertahanan Al-Hilal, Ali Al-Bulayhi, hingga menyebabkan dia menyiku dada pemain tersebut.
Mesut Ozil, Fernando Torres ini keadaan mereka selepas bersara...
Ozil dan Torres membuktikan bahawa usia sememangnya sekadar angka sahaja kerana mereka juga boleh mengekalkan apa yang dilaksanakan sebelum ini.
Cristiano Ronaldo ledak hatrik lagi
Ronaldo jaringkan hatrik kedua dalam tempoh empat hari ketika Al-Nassr menumpaskan lawan Liga Pro Saudi, Abha 8-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo akui dia bukan lagi ‘pemain terbaik’ Portugal?
Bernardo Silva telah dinobatkan sebagai pemain terbaik Portugal walaupun Cristiano Ronaldo masih beraksi untuk negaranya.
Ronaldo mengamuk selepas tewas kepada Slovenia
Juara Euro 2016 itu tewas 0-2 kepada Slovenia pada Rabu, sekali gus menjadikan kekalahan pertama di bawah bimbingan Roberto Martinez.
Penalti Ronaldo cukup buat Al-Nassr kembali temui rentak kemenangan
Ronaldo selesa menyempurnakan gol yang ke-23 dalam saingan Liga Pro Saudi selepas 68 minit, menewaskan penjaga gol Edouard Mendy.
ACL: Cristiano Ronaldo belum mampu sekat kekecewaan Al Nassr
Sesudah kalah dalam perlawanan pembukaan di Al Ain minggu lalu, kelab Liga Pro Saudi Ronaldo itu mengalami kekecewaan lagi awal pagi tadi.
Ronaldo digantung satu perlawanan kerana tunjuk isyarat lucah dalam perlawanan Liga Saudi
Ronaldo juga perlu membayar denda 10,000 riyal Saudi kepada Persekutuan Bola Sepak Saudi dan 20,000 riyal kepada Al-Shabab.