This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson had a secret plan to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in 2013, just two weeks before announcing his retirement.
Ronaldo had left Manchester United for Real Madrid in 2009 in a then-world record £80 million deal, but Evra claims that the Portuguese superstar was set to return to Old Trafford under Ferguson's plan.
Speaking in the latest UTD Podcast episode, Evra said: 'You know, you talk about the hardest moments [in my United career], I would say maybe this (Fergie's retirement) is the one.'
Evra also recalled Ferguson's initial reaction to his retirement, saying: 'When we arrived at Carrington, I see all those cameras and I was like: 'Wow, someone has done something wrong. Maybe a player is the story again! Someone has done something wrong, we are in trouble.'
Ferguson eventually announced his retirement in 2013, citing his wife's needs as the reason.
Evra's revelation has sparked memories of the tumultuous 2012-13 season at Real Madrid, where Ronaldo endured a tricky campaign under Jose Mourinho.
