"The manager ripped into him" - Manchester United legend recalls incident when Sir Alex Ferguson made Cristiano Ronaldo cry

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand recently recalled an incident when legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson made Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the dressing room. The Portuguese legend played under Ferguson between 2003 and 2009 during his first stint at the Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo is believed to have been one of his best versions under Sir Alex Ferguson. The duo won three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, and one FA Cup, among other honors, together. Under Ferguson's guidance, Ronaldo contributed 118 goals and 62 assists in 292 appearances for the Red Devils across competitions.

However, Sir Alex could have been tough when required, as described by Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. In a teaser for BBC iPlayer's documentary, Sir Alex (set to release on December 26), Ferdinand recalled seeing Cristiano Ronaldo in tears after Ferguson reprimanded him. He said (via BBC Sport):

"We'd been to Portugal and played a couple of games and he [Ronaldo] hadn't played well. He was young and tried too hard and I remember we played Benfica and the manager [Sir Alex] ripped into Cristiano. Like 'Who do you think you are? You are coming in here trying to prove to everyone who you think you are? You think you're a superstar.'"

Ferdinand continued:

"And I remember Cristiano in tears in the changing room. And I was like 'rah this manager don't care man, he don't care who you are'. But then look at the player he became. He needed moments like that, and the manager knew that he could be soft and nice with him but he had to be hard as well."

After six seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo left the side to join Real Madrid in 2009. The rest is history as the legendary forward went on to win four more Ballons d'Or, four UEFA Champions League titles, and three European Golden Shoes, among multiple other honors.

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"It was a good decision" - When Cristiano Ronaldo claimed Sir Alex Ferguson advised him against joining Manchester United's rivals Manchester City

Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson (L to R) - Source: Getty

In his 2022 interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo recalled how Ferguson advised him against joining Manchester City. The incident took place ahead of Ronaldo's sensational return to Old Trafford from Juventus in 2021.

“I wouldn’t say that Manchester City wasn’t close. But as you know, my history in Manchester United, your heart, you’re feeling the way that you did before, makes the difference. And of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson," Ronaldo said (via The Guardian).

“I spoke with him. He said to me ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City’. And I say ‘OK, boss’. I did [make] a conscious decision, and I repeat, I was with a conscience that it was a good decision," the Portuguese legend added.

Cristiano Ronaldo's second stint (2021-2022) at Manchester United ended on a bitter note. The Portuguese talisman's contract was terminated in November 2022 following a reported fallout with former coach Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo went on to join Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr in 2023 and has been performing at the highest level in the Middle East.