Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he was close to signing for bitter rivals Manchester City last year but former manager Alex Ferguson asked him not to.

Ronaldo said Ferguson persuaded him to re-join United for a second spell at Old Trafford when he moved from Juventus in August 2021 on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won eight major trophies from 2003-2009.

“Well, honestly, it was close... It’s something they spoke (about) a lot and (Manchester City manager Pep) Guardiola said two weeks ago, I guess, that they tried hard to have me,” Ronaldo told Piers Morgan in an interview for TalkTV, the first part of which was aired on Wednesday.

“But as you know, as my history (was) in Manchester United, your heart, your feeling... make the difference. And of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I was surprised... But it was a conscious decision. Because the heart speaks, speaking loud in that moment.” He added that Ferguson’s intervention helped him make up his mind to join United.

“I think it was the key. It was the difference in that moment, but I cannot be loyal if I will, I wouldn’t say that Manchester City wasn’t close,” Ronaldo said.

“I spoke with him (Ferguson)... He said to me that, ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City’.

“And I say, ‘OK, Boss’. So I took the decisions and... it was a good decision.”

In an excerpt of the interview published on Sunday, Ronaldo said that United had betrayed him and alleged that he was being forced out of the club.

The Portugal forward also said United did not support him when his daughter was taken to hospital in July, doubting him and showing a lack of empathy when he did not arrive on time for Why Cristiano isn’t a City-zen pre-season training.

Australia’s offer

A-League boss Danny Townsend has made a bid to lure Ronaldo to the Australian top flight, while admitting it might not be able to compete financially with offers for the Manchester United star.

“(Ronaldo) said he wasn’t getting any love and respect at Manchester United but we'll certainly give him plenty of love and respect in Australia,” Townsend said. “We might not be able to compete financially with other offers but we can compete in other ways.”