Ryan Giggs has revealed what Sir Alex Ferguson said to him after he put in a forceful tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester United training.
Giggs, 51, and Ronaldo, 40, were teammates at Manchester United between 2003 and 2009 before the Portuguese left for Real Madrid.
On the latest episode of ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, Ferdinand asked Giggs where he ranked Ronaldo compared to the other top-class players he shared a dressing room with at the Red Devils.
“The best,” Giggs replied.
“He’s the best,” he added. “I remember sprinting across in one game in the winter, and I’ve took Cristiano out, and the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] has gone mad. I’ve gone, ‘it’s a tackle gaffer,’ and he’s gone, ‘I know, yeah, but just take care. He’s a special player.”
Giggs continued: “The first year was hard for him, but the more I think – and you’d seen it – more in training, where if he took too many touches, he’s getting kicked. The gaffer wasn’t giving fouls.”
Of course, Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, has developed into one of the greatest players of all time and boasts five Ballon d’Or crowns – the second most of any player behind Lionel Messi with eight.
And despite his success, the Portuguese has often credited the likes of Giggs and his fellow former United teammates, such as Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy, for helping him develop during the early years of his career.
Speaking to France Football in 2018, Ronaldo was asked how he developed at the Red Devils, to which he replied: “By using my brain. If you’ve got a little intelligence, you look and take example from those who are doing things better than you.
“That’s what I did when I was in Manchester with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand… if you don’t learn from guys like that, you’re an imbecile.
“The goal isn’t to imitate but to take aspects from those who are the best and adapt it to your own personality. That’s what I did. I had some talent, and I watched them.”
He added: “Sir Alex Ferguson also taught me a lot, and I realised I had the potential to score, not only dribble and pass. I started to think of being a complete player without any weakness. I could score with my right foot, my left foot and my head. I’m strong and I’m quick.”
