Rio Ferdinand backs Cristiano Ronaldo to usher in a new era of success at Manchester United as he insists there ‘isn’t anyone else better equipped to show them how to win’
- Cristiano Ronaldo has re-signed for Manchester United after leaving in 2009
- The Portuguese winner has the capabilities to shape the 2020-21 title race
- United haven’t lifted a Premier League title since Sir Alex Fergusion left
- Ferdinand, who helped convince the star, believes Ronaldo will be the difference
Manchester United fans have Rio Ferdinand to thank in-part for the sensational return of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the pundit is convinced his old team-mate will inspire success at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese forward was on the brink of moving to rivals Manchester City on Friday as he desperately sought an escape-route from Juventus.
Supporters in the red half of the city were already blasting the 36-year-old as a traitor but when Ferdinand and Sir Alex Ferguson heard the rumours, they picked-up the phone and put him straight.
Cristiano Ronaldo is going back to Manchester United after re-signing for £19.4million
Rio Ferdinand was one of the United legends who picked up the phone and convinced him
Speaking on BT Sport, former Chelsea star Joe Cole pointed out that Ferdinand deserves his ‘cut of the deal’ for his part in convincing Ronaldo to snub City.
‘It’s gone in already,’ the ex-England defender joked.
‘He left here the best player in the world and he turned up in Manchester as someone who was about entertaining and skills etc but he’s very much a man about stats now and you see he’s level last season.
‘Chelsea brought in a striker for £98million, yes different ages and profile etc but Ronaldo outscored him in Serie A last season. That tells you the level that he’s at.
‘He’ll come in and score goals and more importantly around the training ground and at this football club, there isn’t anyone else better equipped to show them how to win, consistently at Manchester United, he’s the guy for that.’
Ferdinand hopes Ronaldo will arrive and inspire United to end their Premier League drought
The Champions Legaue, three Premier Leagues domestic trophies and an avalanche of invididual awards characterised Ronaldo’s mesmerising glory days under Ferguson.
But since the Scottish great quit in 2012 there has been no 21st title, nor much noise in the Champions League – lifting one Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
The United hierarchy knew Ronaldo could be the injection of quality and drive that pushes them to the title, and Ferdinand was impressed with how they did the deal.
‘The moment myself and a few people at the club found out he was going to City, or that the opportunity was there because Man City were interested, you could never see United watching him in a sky blue kit and walking out not in a red shirt at Old Trafford, it just couldn’t happen, he continued.
‘Manchester United hierarchy in this situation reacted step by step, on the beat, on the money every time until that deal was agreed and signed from Cristiano.’
