Manchester United almost signed two world-class stars, says club legend
By Bence Bocsak
According to a recent comment made by this Manchester United legend, the Red Devils were extremely close to signing two world-class superstars.
In 2013, a chapter had been closed in football history. After almost three decades in charge of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson was preparing to depart the club. In his wake he would leave a gaping abyss. A void so large that the Red Devils have yet to come even remotely close to filling it, almost a decade later.
However, if things had gone differently, the Scotsman might have stuck around for longer.
At the time, there were two undisputed world-class wingers who had torn Premier League and La Liga defences to shreds.
Gareth Bale had become a perpetual nuisance at Tottenham at the time and his pace and power was unplayable.
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Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo was already breaking records just three years into his spell at the Bernebeau.
And it seems that Sir Alex Ferguson was extremely close to signing the pair of them prior to his departure from Old Trafford.
According to Patrice Evra Ferguson was ’99 percent’ sure Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale would sign for Man United.
Speaking on the UTD Podcast via the Daily Mail, Patrice Evra recalled a conversation which he had with Ferguson prior to the Scotsman’s retirement.
"‘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: “My target is 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”."
The comments will come as a shock to most fans. Ultimately neither Bale or Ronaldo ended up at Old Trafford and Ferguson would concede his pursuit of the Champions League.
United’s failure to land the two world-class superstars could have been the first signs of the club’s subsequent demise.
In the summer David Moyes arrived at the club, and Ferguson’s successor suffered a relatively underwhelming transfer window.
Moyes’ recruits were Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Wilfried Zaha. But the Scotsman failed to address the Red Devils’ need to recruit an adequate wide-man which ultimately cost him his job.
United’s foundation in attack has always been down the flanks.
It is an area which has never been addressed appropriately since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
If thinks had gone differently, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo would have been the perfect candidates at Old Trafford and Man United would definitely be in a different position than the one they are in now.
Next. Man United have been warded off by this key transfer target. dark
How far do you think Man United could have gone if they signed Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo?