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What Cristiano Ronaldo Told Manchester United Coach In Their First Meeting

What Cristiano Ronaldo Told Manchester United Coach In Their First Meeting

Elite mentality...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

An 18-year old Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Manchester United as a scrawny kid with a dodgy Spaghetti-like trim but also with an obsession to become the very best.

His desire and drive to get to the very top was evident from day one - with Ronaldo outlining his goal during his first encounter with a United employee after arriving from Sporting CP in 2003.

Mick Clegg, who served as Manchester United's former power development coach, has a quite incredible tale about the time Ronaldo rocked up in the club's gym for the first time.

"I was sat there on my own, and he walks in dead early, around 8am, way before anyone else is there," he told The Times.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"He came up to me and said, 'I want to be the best player in the world and I want you to help me. No, I am going to be the best player in the world and I want you to help me.'"

Just an incredible mentality from Ronaldo. Another special anecdote on CR7 comes from Quinton Fortune, who detailed the moment he walked into the United dressing room for the first time.

"Ronaldo came with so much confidence, it was unbelievable. He walked in the changing room and basically told everyone he's the best. Not in perfect English but you could make it out." he said in an interview with The Guardian.

"That set him above all the young players and he could back it up with his work ethic and ability.

"Even at that age he wanted to be better at everything. If you did something in training he'd practise and come back and do it."

Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford as a Juventus player in a Champions League game and he's paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the clash.

"Here I have many memories of victories and affection and in particular with Sir Alex Ferguson, to whom I send a big hug," Ronaldo said in a pre-match press conference.

"He is someone I will never ever forget and I'd like to express my best possible wishes to him. He is a person who helped me so much."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Sporting CP, sporting lisbon, Ballon d'Or, Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo