The 24-year-old Portuguese winger is poised to complete a record £80m move to Real Madrid, with reports suggesting the deal has long been in place. And Ferguson, who is on holiday in the south of France, told the Mail on Sunday: "He wanted to leave, it is as simple as that."He was going to go some time. We've done well to keep him for so long."
Ferguson has persuaded Ronaldo to stay twice before, when Real pursued him in the summers of 2007 and 2008, but appears to have decided he could no longer stand in the way of the player's dream move to the Bernabeu.
According to a statement released by United on Thursday, the Spanish side's bid was accepted after Ronaldo "again expressed his desire to leave". (Daily Mail)