Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson failed to select Cristiano Ronaldo among the best players he had coached during his career at Old Trafford.
The Scot - the winner of 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns in his time with the Red Devils - coached a number of the world’s best players during his long career with the club.
Chief among those would certainly have to be six-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Signed from Sporting Clube de Portugal in 2003, he went on to become an iconic figure for United having netted 118 goals in all competitions before a then record-breaking switch to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
However when probed about his best XI by the Sunday World back in 2013, Ferguson failed to name the Portuguese hero among the players. He said: “‘Who is your best Man United team?' and it's absolutely impossible.
"It is absolutely impossible. You look at the strikers I had, going back to [Brian] McClair, [Mark] Hughes, [Andy] Cole, Cantona, [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, [Louis] Saha, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, [Dwight] Yorke, Teddy Sheringham.
"Then to the present players - Wayne Rooney, [Robin] van Persie, Chicharito [Javier Hernandez]. How do you pick out of that? Cantona and somebody else maybe?
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"The midfield was probably a bit easier because you have [Roy] Keane, [Bryan] Robson and Scholes - they were fantastic players - and [David] Beckham, Ronaldo and Giggs."
It simply of course could have been a moment where Ferguson had forgotten having Ronaldo at his disposal, but his memory would surely have been jogged with the Portuguese performances this term. Since sealing an emotional return to Old Trafford from Juventus, he has proven to be a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Now at the age of 37, Ronaldo has 23 goals to his name and will certainly be aiming to add to that record with Monday evening’s clash against Brentford at Old Trafford. That has not stopped his future from being in doubt though, with reports suggesting that he could look for a route out of United a year before his contract is meant to end.
Red Devils interim boss Ralf Rangnick has emphasised the importance of the Portuguese’s decision with the club expected to be in the market for attacking players this summer. Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, he said: "This is something that we should speak about between Erik [ten Hag] and the board and myself. Cristiano has another year of contract.
"It is also important to find out what he wants, if he wants to stay."
