Shocking Claim: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale Almost Joined Manchester United in 2013
Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has made a bombshell revelation, claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale had agreed to join the Red Devils in 2013. The stunning claim has left fans wondering what could have been.
In an interview with John Obi Mikel on the popular podcast, The Obi One Podcast, Evra shared a meeting he had with Sir Alex Ferguson, which took place two weeks before Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. According to Evra, Ferguson told him that Ronaldo had agreed to return to Old Trafford, and Bale was also set to join the club.
"The reason why is because two weeks before, he brought me into his office and said, ‘Patrice, Cristiano Ronaldo agreed 99 per cent to come back and Gareth Bale [too].’" Evra revealed. "He needed £200m and the club refused to give him that."
Ferguson had planned to rebuild the team around Ronaldo and Bale, but the club’s reluctance to meet the transfer demands of £200m meant the deal fell through. The two superstars went on to join Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively.
Evra’s revelation has left fans wondering what could have been. Would Ronaldo and Bale have formed a formidable duo, leading United to further success? The debate is ongoing.
A Blast from the Past: A Look Back at Manchester United’s Transfer History
The failure to sign Ronaldo and Bale in 2013 marked a turning point in Manchester United’s transfer policy. The club went on to spend big in subsequent windows, but failed to find the same level of success.
In recent years, United have faced criticism for their transfer dealings, with many fans feeling the club has failed to live up to its billing. The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 was seen as a major coup, but his departure to Saudi Arabia just months later has left fans wondering what the future holds.
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