Manchester United assistant coach played unsung role in Cristiano Ronaldo rise

Cristiano Ronaldo did not arrive at Manchester United as a world-beater. When the Portuguese star came to Old Trafford for £12million in 2003, he was young, exciting and raw.

Earlier that summer, he stood out in a pre-season friendly against United that has retrospectively been dubbed as an audition for his move. John O'Shea suffered such a torrid time against him that Ferguson would later joke to Peter Kenyon that the full-back had suffered a migraine.

But in his first six years in M16, Ronaldo developed into the most dangerous winger in world football and when Rene Meulensteen arrived as assistant coach in 2007, he was already well on the way. The Dutchman recalls a conversation with the tricky winger that proved defining in taking Ronaldo from good to great to elite.

The transfer window is in full swing and United have got their hands on three players well in advance of the September 1 deadline, with Rasmus Hojlund joining Mason Mount and Andre Onana at Old Trafford.

A goalkeeper, a midfielder and a striker were Erik ten Hag's priorities heading into the summer window, but that doesn't mean their business ends here, with a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat also on the cards, as well as plenty of possible departures.

Our team of United experts will be on top of all the goings-on at United for the remainder of the summer window and beyond, and you can get the latest updates and inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community below.

--

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

“One of Sir Alex’s