The BBC are reporting that Cristiano Ronaldo is keen on leaving Manchester United for the second time. Last time he left, moving to Real Madrid for £80million in the summer of 2009, United endured a disastrous transfer window.
In what could serve as a warning to Erik ten Hag, United missed out on some top targets in the summer Ronaldo departed, signing Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Gabriel Obertan for a combined £20million instead.
We’ve taken a look at five attacking players the Red Devils reportedly tried to sign in 2009 to replace Ronaldo and how they’ve fared since.
Karim Benzema
Benzema first showed United what he was capable of in February 2008, scoring against them for Lyon in a Champions League last-16 tie.
Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to bring him to Old Trafford 15 months later but faced competition from a very greedy Real Madrid side.
While United offered more money to Lyon, the striker ultimately decided to join Ronaldo and completed a €35million move to Madrid. It’s a decision that’s worked out pretty well to be fair.
The Red Devils then went for a slightly different option, signing a 29-year-old Michael Owen on a free transfer courtesy of a brochure.
“I only came to United because he [Benzema] chose Real Madrid instead of United,” Owen told BT Sport in 2021. “The first time I got a call from Sir Alex Ferguson, he said, ‘We want to sign Benzema, if we don’t get him… [we’re getting you].””
Franck Ribery
Regarded as a direct replacement for Ronaldo, Ribery reportedly wanted to leave Bayern Munich in 2009 after just two years with the Bundesliga side.
According to The Guardian, United made a £62.5million bid for the winger, who was also linked with Chelsea, Barcelona and – yes, you guessed it – Real Madrid.
“He is fantastic,” Ferguson told The Sun in 2009. “Always moving and incredible energy. He is always going forward but defends a lot too. He would have no problem playing in England.”
Bayen rejected the bid and convinced Ribery to remain at the Allianz Arena, where he developed a brilliant partnership with Arjen Robben and became one of the best players in the world.
The 38-year-old ended his 12-year stay at Bayern in 2019 and is somehow still going at Salernitana at the age of 39.
READ: 14 players Manchester United missed out on – and who they signed instead
Samuel Eto’o
After scoring Barcelona’s first goal against United in the 2009 Champions League final, Eto’o was linked with a…
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