Former England international Rio Ferdinand has admitted to trying to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Real Madrid and return to Manchester United last summer.
The 35 year-old was in constant communication with the Portuguese international before he penned his new contract in September last year.
“He was one of the most dialed people on my phone at the time. As footballers you keep your cards close to your chest,” Rio told The Sun newspaper.
“If he was going to leave Real Madrid, I think Manchester United would have been the place he would have come to. That’s my view – but no one will ever know.”
“I think the opportunity has gone now.”
“If we could have done it, I think it would have been last summer. He’s signed a new deal at Real now.” the defender concluded.
Ronaldo spent six years in England prior to his 96 million euro transfer to Real Madrid and appeared in two minds about extending his stay in Spain.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
