Alex Ferguson says Ronaldo’s return was “like Caesar entering Rome”

Callum Boyle

“He sacrificed himself to be the best”

Former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on star man Cristiano Ronaldo since his return to the club.

The United legend, who brought the Portuguese talisman to Old Trafford for his first spell in 2003, was present to watch his return to the Premier League, where he scored two goals in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

Following a memorable (second) debut, the 36-year-old continued the trend, scoring goals against Young Boys and West Ham United, before drawing blank for the first time in the weekend defeat to Aston Villa.

After his impressive start to life back in England, Ferguson couldn’t hide his delight at watching the footballing superstar back at the club that means so much to him. Speaking to the UTD Podcast, Ferguson declared:

“It’s fantastic. You saw on that Saturday [against Newcastle] that it was like Caesar entering Rome after victory. ‘I came, I saw, I conquered.’ It was fantastic.

“I mean, for anyone who is a United fan, we could have had a million people in there, without doubt, as there were so many outside, hundreds outside. It’s one of these things. When he was here as a kid, his learning process was very, very quick.”

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United after 12 years away. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Ferguson also recalled stories of the work that Ronaldo produced in order to become one of the greatest footballers of all time.

“He sacrificed himself to be the best. I remember we were playing Arsenal on the Saturday and it was pouring with rain at Carrington. I said to him, and you know he would always practice after training, and I said, ‘In. We’ve got a game tomorrow and it’s too wet. The ground is too soft.’

“So I went into my office, looked out of the window and what did he do? He went on the Astroturf. I had no argument! I couldn’t say anything to him. He’s beat me.”

Ronaldo and United have a chance to return to winning ways this Wednesday when they host Villarreal in their second Champions League group stage fixture.

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