Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed
he had the opportunity to join the Red Devils' Champions League
last 16 opponents Inter Milan before eventually agreeing a deal at
Old Trafford.
The 24-year-old signed for Sir Alex Ferguson's side from
Sporting Lisbon in August 2003 for £12.24 million, a bargain for a
player who went on to bag 46 goals in all competitions in 2007/08,
winning the Premier League, Champions League and FIFA World Player
of the Year titles.
But all the above could so easily have not taken place, with the
Portuguese admitting he held talks with Inter over a potential move
to the San Siro while he was still plying his trade in his home
country.
"It has been many years and I don't remember too well," he told
Corriere dello Sport. "When I was 17 or 18 there was
interest and someone spoke to me about the possibility of coming to
Italy.
"I don't remember what they told me because many years have passed,
but it was a thing which we discussed. Then I arrived in Manchester
and I came here."
The two sides meet again at Old Trafford on March 11 locked at
0-0 following a stalemate at the San Siro largely dominated by
United, although they could not convert their superiority into a
crucial away goal.
However, Ronaldo remains confident the Red Devils can see off
Jose Mourinho's side on home soil, despite failing to net in
Italy.
"In the first half we played in a really good way and I'm surprised
to have not won because we did better than Inter," he said.
"We had more opportunities to score and we have been unlucky too.
I'm still a little angry because we have not won but anyway we put
in a fantastic performance and I'm proud to be a part of a side
like Manchester.
"We will have new opportunities to score and this time we won't be
wrong. I assure you. We will have our supporters and better
faith.
"We will respect Inter because they are a strong side, but we don't
fear them. The aim is to play as in the first-half in the San Siro.
Should we do this, I'm sure the final result will be
different.
"I'm confident. Considering the team we have, we can do it. I want
to lift the Champions League again."