It was in December 2008 that Sir Alex Ferguson uttered one of his most famous quotes as Manchester United manager, biting back at Real Madrid amid their relentless pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo. “Do you think I would get into a contract with that mob?
Jesus Christ, no chance. I wouldn't sell them a virus," was Ferguson's take on talk in Spain a deal had been already been agreed.
Of course, a deal was agreed the following summer, but the vitriol that passed Ferguson's lips made his disdain for Real and the way they had approached signing Ronaldo clear. READ MORE: United have lifted the mood and now need two key signings This had been a bitter transfer tussle and Real used every tool in the book to try and prize their man away from Old Trafford, including a public courtship designed to unsettle the player which ended with Ronaldo claiming he was being treated like a slave by being made to stay at United.
Transfers are more regularly played out in the public domain now and a dozen years later Ronaldo is again trying to engineer a move away from United.