Manchester United’s match against Sporting Lisbon in August 2003 was arguably the most important pre-season friendly in the club’s history.
The Red Devils probably wouldn’t have signed Cristiano Ronaldo - the inspiration behind the club’s Premier League title triumphs in 2007, 2008 and 2009, not to mention the 2008 Champions league - had they not travelled to Portugal for the friendly.
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted at the time that the United players, who had been left terrorised by the 18-year-old Ronaldo, pleaded with him to secure the starlet’s services on the plane back to Manchester. Days later and the deal was done for £12.24 million.
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| Ronaldo in action for sporting against Man U's John O'shea in 2003 |
Ferguson was quoted as saying by BBC Sport back in 2003
"After we played Sporting last week the lads in the dressing room
talked about him constantly, and on the plane back from the game they
urged me to sign him - that's how highly they rated him,”
"He is one of the most exciting young players I've ever seen."
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