Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Claim Made by Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra has revealed former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told him the club were "99 per cent" certain Cristiano Ronaldo would return to Old Trafford weeks before the legendary figure announced his retirement from football. 

FourFourTwo quoted the Juventus defender speaking to the Sunday Times about his last months at United, and confirmed his disappointment after Fergie left, leaving the potential Ronaldo transfer dead in the water:

"

I remember we talked maybe two weeks before and he said, 'Patrice, I will be here another five years'.

I said, 'Yes boss. Let's do it.' I was so convinced. He was looking younger and younger, amazing. He even told me '99 per cent, Cristiano Ronaldo will come'. I was like, 'wow, we are ready to bounce back and to even win the Champions League again.

After that everyone knows what happened. You know when you are lost and you feel like the world is crumbling? It was a big trauma, I felt lost.

"

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Evra's comments will make the hearts of every United fan sink, as the prospect of signing Ronaldo appeared very real before the appointment of David Moyes as coach.

United's success has evaporated since Ferguson exited Old Trafford, leaving the club to go through a painful transitional process.

Since the coach departed the Theatre of Dreams in 2013, Ronaldo has carried on his incredible goalscoring feats, hitting 79 goals in two full seasons, as well as adding a further eight this term, according to WhoScored.com.

Ronaldo's arrival would have reinforced United's core, with senior figures such as Evra likely to have stayed, anticipating the excitement of what laid ahead for the Red Devils in major competition. 

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The Portugal icon will return to Old Trafford in Wayne Rooney's forthcoming testimonial match, as reported by chief sports writer for the Daily Star, Jeremy Cross, giving the United faithful the potential chance of seeing Ronaldo wear red once again. 

However, it appears the attacker will be on the move in the summer, as Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claimed the player will join Paris Saint-Germain, despite "idolising" United. The journalist told talkSPORT (h/t the Mirror's Liam Prenderville): 

"

Next he’s leaving Real Madrid. The strategy is in place from his people to leave this summer.

If the money is there and PSG are willing to pay it and Real Madrid feel it is the right time to let him go.

He idolises Manchester United. The fans, the atmosphere and the club, but the club is in a different place now.

But why would they spend €125million, plus playing him 20-odd million per year, why would they do that at this stage?

PSG are willing to pay for him, he is happy to move on when he feels the time is right, but remember what happened at Manchester United, where he wanted to leave a year before he actually did, so if it’s not this summer it’ll be next summer.

"

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

United have many problems in their attack, and they have now gone three matches without hitting the back of the net, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News. This could force United to spend big in the next two transfer windows as they look to add the goals that are essential to mount a challenge. 

The tenure of Wayne Rooney is coming to an end at Old Trafford, as his body looks older than its years, but if Ronaldo is prepared to leave Real in the near future, there is a chance the Red Devils will once again look to capture their former hero.

Ronaldo is also the wrong side of 30, but there is no doubt he is still as potent as he has ever been—a fact that cannot be stated about Rooney. 

The forward is still in top form, firing Los Blancos to the top of La Liga under new boss Rafael Benitez, and it seems incredulous to believe the Madrid club will let their scoring machine leave anytime soon.