Manchester United Missed Out on Ronaldinho For The Most British Reason Possible…

Back in 2003 Brazilian legend Ronaldinho was just a back-up option. Around that time, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was desperately trying to fight off competition from Real Madrid to sign David Beckham.

Ronaldinho was merely seen as a consolation prize, despite having recently lit up the World Cup in South Korea & Japan. We all know that missing out on Becks turned out to be blessing in disguise for the Catalan club.

According to Quinton Fortune, former midfielder, Alex Ferguson might have only failed to capture the Brazilian because of Manchester’s typically dreary weather!

ManUtd.com have quoted Fortune as saying “I think we got it wrong by bringing Ronaldinho in at the wrong time of year as it was raining that day he arrived at Manchester Airport. Maybe it was summer anyway but, if we’d have timed it with the right day, it could have been a different story”.

“It would have been absolutely amazing to have him here. He’s one of the largest players ever to play football and entertained with his skill, fun and joy”.

The lesson for Premier League managers in the hunt this summer, if you want to bring in a star man, make sure it’s tins-and-sunburn in the park weather. Or maybe just close the curtains.