Sir Alex Ferguson's Ambitious 2013 Manchester United Transfer Plan Revealed
Patrice Evra has disclosed that Sir Alex Ferguson was convinced Cristiano Ronaldo was "99 per cent" certain to return to Manchester United in 2013, with Gareth Bale also targeted in a stunning double swoop. This revelation sheds new light on what could have been a transformative period for the club, only for Ferguson's abrupt retirement to derail the plans.
The Shock Retirement That Changed Everything
Speaking to the Athletic, Evra recounted a meeting in Ferguson's office just one week before the legendary manager announced his retirement. "I went to Ferguson's office and he said, 'Patrice, 99 per cent, Cristiano Ronaldo is coming and I'm going to bring Gareth Bale, too,'" Evra revealed. "And those people who think I'm going to retire? I'm going to retire when I'm maybe 100 years old.'"
Evra described his disbelief when Ferguson later confirmed his retirement at a team meeting. "I couldn't understand it. It was a big shock. I remember driving home and my car was in auto drive. We had a meeting in the dressing room and Ferguson wasn't wearing a tracksuit. I said, 'This is bad news, all the players are going to get killed or something is going to happen'. He said I'm retired. But I still thought it was a joke and he would change his mind."
The Ronaldo and Bale Partnership That Never Was
Cristiano Ronaldo had been sold to Real Madrid for £80 million in 2009 but remained frequently linked with a return to Old Trafford. Ferguson's plan was to bring back the Portuguese superstar while he was still at the peak of his powers, having just led United to another Premier League title. The addition of Gareth Bale, then at Tottenham, was envisioned as a potential gift to Ferguson's successor, David Moyes.
Instead, both players ended up at Real Madrid, where they enjoyed five trophy-laden seasons together, winning multiple Champions League titles. Manchester United fans were left to wonder what might have been had Ferguson's vision materialized.
The Personal Reason Behind Ferguson's Retirement
The real reason for Ferguson's retirement had nothing to do with football. In a 2015 interview with the Telegraph, Ferguson explained that he wanted to support his wife, Lady Cathy, following the death of her twin sister, Bridget, in October 2012. "I definitely would have carried on," Ferguson said. "I saw she was watching television one night, and she looked up at the ceiling. I knew she was isolated. Her and Bridget were twins, you know?"
Lady Cathy, who passed away three years ago, had previously convinced Ferguson not to retire in 2002. "But when I told her this time I was going to retire she had no objection whatsoever," he explained. "I knew she wanted me to do it."
The Aftermath of Ferguson's Departure
David Moyes took over as manager but was sacked after just eight months, with Ryan Giggs serving as interim manager. Evra departed United a year later following a difficult season. Cristiano Ronaldo eventually returned to Manchester United in 2021, though he was past his prime following a spell with Juventus.
This revelation from Evra provides fascinating insight into one of football's great "what if" scenarios, highlighting how personal circumstances can dramatically alter the course of sporting history.
