How Ferguson fought off Arsenal and Madrid to sign 18-year-old Ronaldo

In an interview for 'France Football', Ferguson explained how he endeavoured to secure his signing after watching Cristiano Ronaldo in a friendly with Sporting Lisbon in 2003.

"I spoke with Cristiano and Jorge Mendes, his agent, and he told me we had to hurry up because other clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal were already following him. So I told Cristiano to come and join us. I was in contact with his mother," the ex-United boss revealed.

Ferguson believes one of the reasons that pushed Ronaldo in United's direction was the lack of false promises. The manager flew the player and his family to the north-west of England but made it clear he could feature for the reserves before being incorporated to the first team.

"I think his mother and Jorge Mendes were impressed that we didn't promise such a young lad a place in the first team so quickly and that we had a plan so he could adapt calmly to the club," the Scotsman added, before speaking about his move to Real Madrid in 2009 and why it didn't take place sooner.

"Ramón Calderón aspired to the presidency of Real Madrid and he used Cristiano as a weapon in the elections, and that didn't seem right," said the former manager, who also praised "extraordinary" agent Mendes for his help. "In 2009, Florentino Pérez became the president and it was easer to manage the transfer with him," Ferguson concluded.