For much of the summer it was anticipated that United fans had
seen the last of their Portuguese star with Real Madrid relentless
in their pursuit of the 23-year-old.
Ronaldo hardly helped the situation by refusing to commit his
future to Old Trafford. But the former Sporting Lisbon winger has
since taken responsibility for his actions and admitted being
“naïve” to push for a move to Spain.
"After we'd won the Champions League I felt that I'd help win
everything there was to win," Ronaldo, who is expected to make his
return from ankle surgery on Sept 27, said. "I felt maybe I needed
a new challenge.
"I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real
Madrid in particular, and I thought it could be the right
moment.
"Apart from the challenge, everyone realises that Spanish and
Portuguese culture and lifestyle are more similar. I also have to
recognise that my family would welcome the change,” Ronaldo added
in an interview with Inside United magazine.
"The chance of being an hour's flight from my family was very
attractive. The people at United, particularly the manager,
understood my reasons.
"What I said publicly, which was maybe a little naive, I take
total responsibility for. I just said what I thought: I have a
dream of playing at Real and I thought it was time to move on.”
After winning the Champions League, Ronaldo admits his head was
swayed by the prospect of fulfilling a childhood dream and was
desperate for United to sanction a move to the Bernabeu.
"I knew Real were interested in me and they had, allegedly, made
a substantial offer. For a while, I wanted United to accept. If we
hadn't been European champions, I probably wouldn't have thought
about going to Madrid. And another thing - I never wanted to leave
against United's will.
"I'm 100 per cent professional and have always given my heart
and soul to this club.
"If one day I leave, I want to do it knowing I did everything I
could to help the club win as much as possible."