Ferguson splashed out £12.24million to bring the teenage Ronaldo to United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and in six years under the Scot's tutelage, he has developed into one of the best players on the planet. On Monday he sealed his £80m move to the Bernabeu.
"Ferguson is a maestro," Ronaldo told Spanish sports daily AS. "For me he was my father in football.
"He was crucial in my career and, outside football, was a great human being with me.
"Talent isn't everything. You can have it from the cradle, but it is necessary to learn the trade to be the best.
"When I arrived in England I was an 18-year-old kid and had established stars by my side.
"Ferguson taught me to clean up my faults, to know to give the pass at the last moment, to take the right decision in the area.
"I spent six years at United and I owe them everything that I am today. I made history at United and won many trophies.
"It was a pleasure to play at Old Trafford but now a new stage in my life is beginning at the Bernabeu with new challenges.
"I wanted to play at this club and for that reason I'm here."
Ronaldo revealed it was his admiration and respect for Ferguson and United that prevented him from joining Madrid last year.
However, the 24-year-old reiterated he has fulfilled a dream by joining Madrid and that his presentation on Monday, which was attended by around 90,000 fans, will live long in the memory.
"I'm used to living with speculation," he said. "I could have signed for Madrid in 2008, but there wasn't an agreement between the clubs and I owed myself to United.
"I wanted to respect that and I did. I took the best decision." Tweet
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MMMMM....so you weren't injured then and that's not the real reason you did not sign for Real in the summer of 2008? I think all of us United fans appreciate the sentiment though. Ronaldo didn't have to say this so I think it is a really nice gesture on his part.
Good luck mate, thanks for all the memories
Quote "I could have signed for Madrid in 2008, but there wasn't an agreement between the clubs and I owed myself to United."
The truth is finally coming out. For those who need reminding or didn't know here are a few more facts. On 14th June 2008 Real Madrid president said they would avoid Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United by lodging a world record £75million player plus cash bid directly to the Glazer family for Ronaldo. The glazers wanted £80 million which 12 months ago Real Madrid were not prepared to pay. On the 24th June 2008, Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is quoted as saying "We'll never pay £80 million for one player". In January Real Madrid agreed to the glazers price and now he's gone. These are the facts and anything else said or anyone else thought is irrelevant to what has always been on the cards. Well at least he's not a "slave" anymore.
According to this report, 90,000 attended Ronaldo's presentation at the Bernabau on Monday. How is this possible since the stadium only holds a couple of hundred over 80,000? Or is this figure just another typical example of exaggeration for effect? Is the MEN sure Ronaldo was sold for only eighty-millions? Perhaps it was ninety-millions? Sorry, but this is the only comment I care to make on this story which is 24 hours out of date. Every other media covered this yesterday. For God's sake wake up, MEN and give us news, not history.
Ronaldo says ....."It's obvious that I'm a less egotistical footballer now,... Without a doubt. I know for sure that four years ago I always played to try to end up scoring myself. But experience makes you understand that you achieve better things playing as a team and being united. At Madrid they will see a better Cristiano."
Classic humor from Ronaldo, he must of learned sarcasm from the brits, as we all remember how he tried, and failed, to take down Barca single handedly !
If he owes so much to the team and manager who made him who he is today then he should know that his football will miss them very much! In my opinion he will regret this move in a year or two at most when his football is suffering and he's not up to United standards... He had another 2 or 3 years to stay and win trophies and become a legend at the biggest club in the world, but his ego got the better of him...
Gosh Free Red - you must be so close to the Real Madrid hierarchy and to the inner thoughts of the Glazrs, we can't help but be impressed. There are those that might suggest you're just making it up, but that can't be right, can it?
How long have we got to read about this bloke? How many times have we got to ask the Manchester evening news to stop being the Madrid evening news? How about a story on where Clayton Blackmore tops up his tan these days? or how Luke Chadwicks career as a male model is going? They are all ex United players and are not gonna help us in anyway next season, so for one more time, Will you drop it and move on, we don't give a monkeys! The Manchester United section should only be about United Players.
BritboyInFl from your comments it would seem the sun has gone to your head!
Top drawer player with a top drawer attitude towards United and SAF. What a difference when compered to Tevez.
VIVA RONALDO
liar!!!!!
United former star...that's what i shall refer to him as...they don't forget where they come from and what United has done for them! Beckham, Keano, Ronaldo....
There are not too many more you can say the same in recent times...Tevez learn from this...
Good luck to you Ronnie...We shall move on and so shall you...
Brian Taylor, 8/07/2009 at 20:19 ......
They're not my comments they are Ronaldo's ...... duh !
Ronaldo's ego has never been bigger, just look at his recent comments to the press. And I'm sure you saw his selfish display against Barca ? Team player ? no way !
Duh! BritBoyInFl, I was refering to the comments you made & then repeated about Ronnie! Now you're in Florida you should stick to watching their/your American Football or the 'soccer' league over there! You might know more about them!
Quote "There are those that might suggest you're just making it up, but that can't be right, can it? Ed from Davyhulme, Manchester" (new poster, Hmm)
I don't need to make anything up. Check it out for yourself. I said exactly the same thing 12 months ago in this MEN story in which the Glazers rejected claims from Spain that they have relented in the Cristiano Ronaldo affair and agreed to do business.http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1058651_glazers_deny_ronaldo_claims
Then there was the MEN story less than a month ago in which Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims a "gentleman's agreement" existed over the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo before he left the Spanish giants in January. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1120414_ronaldo_proud_of_historic_deal?rss=yes
I'll let you find corroborating press releases for anything else you care to question on-line. It won't take long but I suspect you already knew that.