Liverpool bosses Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson were left stunned after Manchester United beat them to the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003. The then-Reds manager and his assistant believed they had secured a deal for the Sporting CP teenager for just £4 million, only for United to swoop in and sign him for £12.2 million.
How Liverpool lost Ronaldo to Manchester United
Thompson recalled a meeting with agent Tony Henry in Lisbon, where the terms were agreed. “I can still remember Tony's exact words. It was all very nice and relaxed. It's £4million and it can be paid over the four years of his contract, so £1million a year. That seemed very reasonable,” Thompson told The Athletic. The salary was set at £1 million a year, net.
However, Liverpool were unaware of Sir Alex Ferguson's interest. After Ronaldo impressed against United in a pre-season friendly, Ferguson moved quickly. Thompson said: “On the Tuesday morning, we were having lunch at the training ground and it came up on the yellow strap on Sky Sports, 'Manchester United have signed Cristiano Ronaldo for £12.2million.' Gerard and myself almost choked on our food. I can remember Gerard jumping up and saying, 'What the hell has gone on there?'”
Impact of Ronaldo's move to United
Ronaldo's acquisition transformed Manchester United. He helped the club win three consecutive Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008. He left for Real Madrid in 2009 for a world-record £80 million, becoming the Spanish club's all-time top scorer before moves to Juventus and a return to United in 2021. After a difficult second spell, he joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Now 41, Ronaldo is playing in his sixth World Cup for Portugal.
Liverpool's current transfer battle
Liverpool and Manchester United are again competing for a young attacker, RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger is valued at £87 million, with Liverpool currently the front-runners. The Reds hope to avoid a repeat of the Ronaldo saga.
