The Old Trafford boss has maintained his close bond with the winger who developed into the best player in the world under Ferguson’s tutelage. Sir Alex – who admitted being disappointed for Ronaldo (right) after Real Madrid went crashing out of the Champions League in midweek – said: “Cristiano knows the value of Manchester United. That’s the thing. What the players have got here is protection. They come to training every day and there is nobody here to disturb them.

“I don’t think Real Madrid is an easy club to play for. There is a circus attached to it. There are often loads of fans and an intensive media always filming them.”

Ronaldo has confided to friends that he misses life at Old Trafford and in particular Ferguson’s guiding hand. Ferguson revealed: “You would like to think that one day he will come back, but you never know. I don’t think he will stay at Real Madrid for life or anything like that.