A former EA Sports employee has revealed secret information about Manchester United’s desired signings from 2013. He shared that Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale had nearly joined the club under Sir Alex Ferguson. But financial constraints halted what would have been a blockbuster double transfer. The dramatic double transfer would have seen Ronaldo return to Old Trafford and Bale join him to bombard the flanks. 

According to Patrice Evra, Ferguson was confident that these two transfers would secure another Champions League title for United. He even shared with Evra that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale had “99% agreed” to join the Red Devils.

The transfer deals would have cost the club a combined $262m, a fee that United’s management refused to pay. Despite Ferguson stating he wanted to continue managing the club for another 10 years, this financial barrier had much to do with his surprising decision to retire at the end of that year. It changed the entire dynamics of the English Premier League where the noisy neighbors came out on top!

As much as personal reasons might have influenced Ferguson to retire, it somehow shocked the team. It marked a rather challenging period for Manchester United since then. The club could not regain former success under various managers. David Moyes, Jose Mourinho, and Luis Van Gaal tried but failed at the last hurdle. 

The decision to pass on the $262 million deal is now viewed as a massive missed opportunity for Manchester United. The event was a major point in the club’s history. Cristiano Ronaldo won many Champions League titles with Real Madrid after that. Bale also had success in Madrid before moving to LAFC and retiring later.

The Cristiano Ronaldo-Bale missed opportunity: What could have been?

Manchester United has struggled to reclaim its dominance since Ferguson’s retirement, even after investing so heavily in a few of the best players in the world. Sometimes, fans ponder the impact the Portuguese legend and the Welsh icon could have on the Old Trafford faithful. 

The club that has dominated English football for over two decades has not won a Premier League title since Ferguson’s departure in 2013. Many believe their signings would have kept United at the top of English and European football. Sadly, the Red Devils still take a downward spiral with Erik ten Hag facing criticisms from all corners of the world. 

All this will remind the club members of what happened and how this single moment could have changed everything in their future. And with United still trying to make a glorious comeback, the story of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s failed transfers will continue to haunt the club and its fans.