Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he bombarded Cristiano Ronaldo with phone calls last summer to try and lure him back to Manchester United.
Ronaldo was linked with a move back to United, for whom he enjoyed a six-year spell between 2003 and 2009 before moving to Real Madrid for a world record £80 million transfer.
However, the Portuguese signed a new new five-year contract with the Spanish giants in September to end any speculation over his future.
Asked if he had contacted Ronaldo, Ferdinand told The Sun: "What do you think? He was one of the most dialled people on my phone at the time.
"But I think the opportunity has gone now. If we could have done it, I think it would have been last summer. He's signed a new deal at Real now."
Ferdinand, though, believes Old Trafford would have been his destination of choice had he decided to leave the Bernabéu.
The ex-England international added: "If he was going to leave Real Madrid, I think Manchester United would have been the place he would have come to. That's my personal view, but no-one will ever know now."
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| Cristiano Ronaldo was 'one of the most dialled people' on Rio Ferdinand's phone last summer Photo: Getty Images |
Ronaldo was linked with a move back to United, for whom he enjoyed a six-year spell between 2003 and 2009 before moving to Real Madrid for a world record £80 million transfer.
However, the Portuguese signed a new new five-year contract with the Spanish giants in September to end any speculation over his future.
Asked if he had contacted Ronaldo, Ferdinand told The Sun: "What do you think? He was one of the most dialled people on my phone at the time.
"But I think the opportunity has gone now. If we could have done it, I think it would have been last summer. He's signed a new deal at Real now."
Ferdinand, though, believes Old Trafford would have been his destination of choice had he decided to leave the Bernabéu.
The ex-England international added: "If he was going to leave Real Madrid, I think Manchester United would have been the place he would have come to. That's my personal view, but no-one will ever know now."
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