In the summer of 2003, Sporting beat Manchester United 3–1 in the inauguration of the Alvalade XXI stadium in Lisbon. Ronaldo demonstrated his ability to play on both wings. After the match, United’s players spoke enthusiastically of the young talent that they had just played against, saying they would rather have him in their team than play against him in the future.
Alex Ferguson decided that he wanted Ronaldo for his team, who needed a right-sided midfielder with the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid. Ronaldo was signed for a fee of £12.24 million, which seems nothing now after seeing what he has developed into.
Ronaldo made his united debut on the 16th August 2003 and wasted little time in showing off his sublime skills with a stunning 30-minute display against Bolton at Old Trafford. He won a penalty which Ruud Van Nistelrooy took. However it was saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
In 2006 Ronaldo signed a new deal with United that would last until 2010. Ronaldo said of the deal, “United have stood by me and been there for me and I want to repay that”.
He has won countless awards. In December 006, he was awarded the Barclays Player of the Month Award for the second successive month, becoming the third ever player in the Premiership to do so (after Arsenal’s Dennis Bergkamp in 1997 and Robbie Fowler in 1996)
Ronaldo occasionaly needs to control his temper. Players often get frustrated with his quick feet and taunt him. During United’s second match of the 2007-08 season against Portsmouth, Ronaldo was sent off for his alleged headbutt of Richard Hughes. Although there appeared to be little contact between the two players, referee Steve Bennett was standing right next to Ronaldo and was quick to show him the red card. After the match, Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that Ronaldo was provoked by Hughes, and that he had “fallen into the trap”.
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