23 January 2024 , 07:00
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Rio Ferdinand has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson was "devastated" Manchester United didn't sign Ronaldinho after the club tried to sign the Brazilian superstar in 2003.
United's pursuit of Ronaldinho was well-documented at the time. Ferguson was a big fan of the Paris Saint-Germain playmaker and wanted to add some more flair to his squad ahead of the 2003/04 season.
Ronaldinho eventually decided to join Barcelona instead that summer and went on to have a stellar career in Catalonia, scoring 94 goals in 207 appearances. As for United, they instead signed a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo, who was coming through the Sporting academy and was deemed one of the most highly rated youngsters in Europe.
But Ferguson was still left upset over his failed move for Ronaldinho, according to former United defender Ferdinand. Speaking on The Obi One podcast, he said: "I remember when Cristiano Ronaldo signed we went on tour to Lisbon and he was actually lucky that we signed him. It was only on the disappointment of not signing Ronaldinho that summer.
"I remember we were going to sign Ronaldinho but he chose to leave PSG for Barcelona. The manager was absolutely devastated. Then on the tour he went to Sporting Lisbon to open the stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo plays and the rest is history."
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Ferdinand's former team-mate Paul Scholes previously recalled how United's pursuit of Ronaldinho had the club "as close as announcing him and giving him a number" before the deal fell through. "I remember two or three that were possibly coming," Scholes recalled on the BBC ’s Savage Social podcast in 2020. "I think the one that stands out is Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho came close to joining Manchester United (Getty Images)"He was away on pre-season and we were as close as announcing him and giving him a number but I think he ended up changing his mind at the last minute and signing for Barcelona. It's strange really because we played Barcelona on that pre-season tour.
"We were all excited - Ronaldinho, what a player! I think he was coming from PSG at the time and we were all going to get to play with him and he's going to bring something special. Almost like what Eric Cantona brought to the team. Then, three days later, we're playing against him and all trying to kick him because he didn't sign for us.
"It was disappointing but I was lucky enough to play with some great players and he'd have just been another unbelievable player I'd had played with, but it just never happened."