According to Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale had both reached an agreement to join Manchester United in 2013, Soccernet.football reports.
This revelation will come as a disappointing one for fans who would have loved to see the two stars play together at Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure as manager.
Evra’s claims suggest that a potential partnership between Ronaldo and Bale was close to becoming a reality, making it a missed opportunity for the club and its supporters.
The Frenchman, who played alongside Ronaldo for three and a half years during the Portuguese’s initial spell at United, revealed a conversation he had with Ferguson.
He claimed that agreements had been reached for both players, with Ronaldo agreeing to return from Real Madrid and Bale giving the nod to a switch from Tottenham’s white to United’s red.
In an interview with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel on The Obi One Podcast, Evra recounted a meeting with Sir Alex that took place before his retirement in 2013.
“One of the most saddest days, I didn’t cry, I was in shock,” he said.
“The reason why is because two weeks before, he brought me into his office [and said], ‘Patrice look at those people, they think I’m going to retire. I’m going to be [at the club for] another ten years, but we need to win more Champions Leagues.’
“[Ferguson] said, ‘Patrice, Cristiano Ronaldo, agreed 99 per cent to come back and Gareth Bale [too].’ He needed £200m and the club refused to give him that.
“And now, they spent a billion on whatever. It was 2013, just before he retired, so that is why I remember when I got out of his office, I was like, ‘Cristiano is back, Gareth Bale, we’re back in business’ after winning the title and everything.”
Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 saw Ronaldo remain at the Santiago Bernabeu while Bale also joined the Spanish giants that same summer. The pair went on to win three consecutive Champions League trophies during their time as teammates at the Spanish capital.