How Manchester United missed out on an important player

The premier league will forever hold grievances on Manchester United for failing to get the deal for a certain Brazilian star done in time when the Red Devils had the chance to.

Premier League clubs sure faced a lot of challenge sweeping important talents into the league in the glory days of the La Liga and Manchester United was no stranger to losing out on talents to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

In a tale of near-misses and historic moments, the transfer saga of Ronaldinho Gaucho, one of football’s greatest icons, unfolded in 2003, leaving fans and players alike in awe.

As Barcelona struggled to regain their former glory, two candidates, Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell, led their bid for the club’s presidency with a promise of a superstar signing that would reignite the Catalan giants.

Ultimately, Ronaldinho’s destiny lay with the Camp Nou, transforming the club and etching his name in football history.

The Brazilian maestro, then with Paris Saint-Germain, was on the radar of several top clubs, including Manchester United. As negotiations progressed, it seemed that Ronaldinho would don the famous red shirt at Old Trafford.

However, fate had other plans. Laporta and Rosell, seeking to secure Barcelona’s resurgence, had their sights firmly set on the Brazilian star.

In an astonishing revelation, Ronaldinho recalled the crucial moment when the tide turned in Barcelona’s favor. Sandro Rosell, the vice president hopeful, had approached Ronaldinho long before the official offer, asking if he would join Barcelona should he be elected.

Without hesitation, Ronaldinho pledged his commitment to the club, setting the wheels in motion for a potential transfer.

As the transfer deadline loomed, Ronaldinho was on the brink of sealing a move to Manchester United, but a last-minute call from Rosell confirmed his victory in the presidential election.

With a sense of loyalty to the newly-elected leader and the promise he had made, Ronaldinho chose Barcelona over United, signing a €30 million deal.

“It almost happened with United. It was a matter of 48 hours, but Rosell had told me way before I got the offer: ‘If I become Barca president, will you come?’ I said yes.

“It was only a matter of details with United when Rosell called to say he was going to win the election there. And I had promised to him that I’d play for Barca.”

The decision proved to be a masterstroke for Barcelona. Ronaldinho’s arrival breathed new life into the club, almost single-handedly lifting them from obscurity to the pinnacle of European football.

His immense talent and infectious joy on the pitch made him the most marketable player globally and one of the most talented in history.

Paul Scholes, a Manchester United legend, later reflected on the near-miss, lamenting the excitement that surrounded Ronaldinho’s potential arrival at Old Trafford.

“I remember two or three that were possibly coming. I think the one that stands out is Ronaldinho.

“He was away on pre-season and we were as close as announcing him and giving him a number, but I think he ended up changing his mind at the last minute and signing for Barcelona.

“It’s strange really because we played Barcelona on that pre-season tour.

“We were all excited – Ronaldinho, what a player! I think he was coming from PSG at the time and we were all going to get to play with him and he’s going to bring something special.

“Almost like what Eric Cantona brought to the team. Then, three days later, we’re playing against him and all trying to kick him because he didn’t sign for us.

“It was disappointing but I was lucky enough to play with some great players and he’d have just been another unbelievable player I’d had played with, but it just never happened.”

The Brazilian’s mesmerizing skills and flair would have been a dream addition to the team, akin to the impact Eric Cantona had made years before. However, the disappointment was softened when Manchester United soon signed a young prodigy by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo, a move that would ultimately redefine the club’s history.

While Ronaldinho’s transfer to Barcelona left a void in Manchester United’s roster, it proved to be a turning point in the Brazilian’s career. During his time at Barcelona, he delivered spectacular performances, leading the club to numerous trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles.

Looking back, the transfer saga of Ronaldinho continues to be a captivating chapter in football history, underscoring the fine margins that can shape a player’s destiny and the profound impact of such decisions on the trajectory of football clubs.

Ronaldinho’s legacy at Barcelona endures, making him one of the greatest bargains in transfer history and a symbol of Barcelona’s resurgence in the early 2000s.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s consolation prize in Cristiano Ronaldo set the stage for another legendary tale, as the Portuguese superstar left an indelible mark on the club before embarking on a remarkable career that spanned multiple clubs and continents.