Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, describing him as his ‘father in football’.

The Real Madrid star gave Fergie the accolade because ‘he has taught me so many things’.

‘He’s a fantastic person. A human person. He taught me many things. Like I said before, he’s like a father in football, because he taught me many things. I really miss him because I have a great relationship with him,’ he told CNN International.

Asked how hard Fergie could be on players, he said: ‘Very tough. I think sometimes he cannot be like that because, how old is he? 70? It’s not good for his heart. He’s still tough, strong, I remember him the first time I saw him he was with the same power.