Manchester United missed out on Ronaldinho because it was ‘raining the day he arrived at Manchester’
Former Old Trafford star reveals why the Red Devils failed to snap up Brazilian legend back in 2003
WAGES, transfer fees and even paperwork glitches have all been used as reasons why transfer deals failed to materialise over the years.
But the weather?
Well, according to one former Manchester United star that is all what prevented the Red Devils from signing Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho back in 2003.
Quinton Fortune, 40, was four years into his seven-year stint at Old Trafford at the time.
And he has shed light on how United’s hopes of replacing David Beckham with the 2002 World Cup winner were quickly dampened.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the South African said: “I think we got it wrong by bringing Ronaldinho in at the wrong time of year as it was raining that day he arrived at Manchester Airport.
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“Maybe it was summer anyway but, if we’d have timed it with the right day, it could have been a different story.
“It would have been absolutely amazing to have him here.
“He’s one of the greatest players ever to play football and entertained with his skill, fun and joy.
“I was very fortunate to play for South Africa against him in the Olympics in front of 72,000 fans but, when he was at Barcelona, he was a different Ronaldinho.“
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner did not appear to regret his choice to turn down Sir Alex Ferguson.
He went on to enjoy a fine career as he dazzled the Nou Camp, helping the Catalans to win two La Liga titles and the Champions League in 2006.
He is still loving life now, recently setting up a business selling autographed fidget spinners online and dating stunning Playboy models.
And despite missing out on the showman, the rain clouds sound passed in the North West as United did manage to warp up one deal with another exciting prospect.
That was the summer Cristiano Ronaldo arrived and the rest is history. Every cloud…