Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he was close to signing for bitter rivals Manchester City last year but former 7️⃣ manager Alex Ferguson asked him not to.

Ronaldo said Ferguson persuaded him to re-join United for a second spell at Old 7️⃣ Trafford when he moved from Juventus in August, 2024 on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won 7️⃣ eight major trophies from 2003-2009.

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"Well, honestly, it was close... It's something they spoke 7️⃣ [about] a lot and [Manchester City manager Pep] Guardiola said two weeks ago, I guess, that they tried hard to 7️⃣ have me," Ronaldo told Piers Morgan in an interview for TalkTV, the first part of which was aired on Wednesday.

"But 7️⃣ as you know, as my history [was] in Manchester United, your heart, your feeling... make the difference. And of course, 7️⃣ as well, Sir Alex Ferguson.