Cristiano Ronaldo acted as Man Utd's transfer guru despite "difficult" spell

Manchester United hitman Cristiano Ronaldo helped secure the arrivals of former United defenders Rafael and Fabio da Silva, despite the fact he was enduring a ‘difficult’ spell at Old Trafford himself.

Sir Alex Ferguson asked the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to call the Brazilian twins, when they were raw teenage prospects.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus star obliged, and his phone call played a huge role in their decision to snub various offers and join United.

Rafael went on to make 170 appearances for United, while Fabio accumulated 56 during his time with the Red Devils.

However, Ronaldo’s current situation at the time was extremely uncertain, as he admitted the British weather had made it ‘difficult’ for him to acclimatise.

"I like to play for Manchester - better than [I like] the weather," Ronaldo said to Sky Sports News in 2006.

"The weather is very difficult for me because you see snow, every time, and rain.

"It's difficult compared to Portugal, where you see sun every day, which is why it's difficult for me.

"But the club is massive and I'm very happy for staying here."

Despite being linked with a move to La Liga, Ronaldo went on to stay at Old Trafford for three more seasons, before sealing a record breaking £80million move to Real Madrid.

But as well as a United legacy containing a Ballon d’Or title, the Champions League, three Premier League titles, two League Cups, and the FA Cup, another part of his legacy lived on at Old Trafford – Rafael and Fabio.

The right-backs both played in the same team as Ronaldo, winning three Premier League titles and two League Cups at Old Trafford.

But a move to Old Trafford may not have happened, were it not for the inspiring words of the Portuguese superstar.