Ferguson wanted two superstars at Man Utd weeks before choosing to retire
Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to make two huge signings for Manchester United before he decided to retire in 2013.
The legendary manager departed after winning his 13 thPremier League title, but his stay could’ve been extended if he was successful in the pursuit of some ground-breaking additions.
According to Patrice Evra, Ferguson had tried to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, before calling time on his days in the Old Trafford dugout.
He told the United's official club podcast : “Two weeks before his retirement, I remember there was a lot of media saying Ferguson will maybe retire next year, and he said to me: ‘Patrice, I will never retire. I will be here another 10 years.’
"He then said: ‘I'm 99 per cent sure we will have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. I just need these two players to win the Champions League again. Ninety-nine per cent.'
"To be fair, when I speak with Cristiano, I ask him, and he said yes to the boss and was coming to join United. He told me this."
Neither player joined United that summer, with Ferguson retiring and David Moyes coming in as his replacement.
The summer incomings were instead Marouane Fellaini from Everton for £29million and Saidy Janko from FC Zurich.
Ronaldo eventually has returned to Old Trafford, with Ferguson playing a huge part in his summer transfer from Juventus.
The 36-year-old scored twice on his second Premier League debut, as well as being on target in the 2-1 defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League.
Will Manchester United win some silverware this season after the return of Ronaldo? Let us know in the comments section.
Evra also recalled the day the United squad were told Ferguson was leaving.
He said: “When we arrived at Carrington, I see all those cameras and I was like: ‘Wow, someone has done something wrong. Maybe a player is the story again. Someone has done something wrong, we are in trouble.’
"We arrived, and people said, 'Guys, you have to stay in the dressing room because the boss wants to have a chat.'
"And when the boss came into the dressing room to talk to everyone, it's never good news.
“He came, and he said: ‘I'm really sorry. Some people have said I'm going to retire even before I say it myself. That's why you saw all those cameras. But I will retire because my wife needs me.’”
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