"Straightforward that we needed him" - Ex-Manchester United star recalls Cristiano Ronaldo performance that made club sign him
Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea has opened up about the night an 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself to the footballing world and convinced Sir Alex Ferguson to bring him to Old Trafford. The story of Ronaldo’s brilliant performance for Sporting CP against United in 2003 has become legendary. O’Shea, who was tasked with marking the teenage phenom at the time, recently provided a fresh perspective.
The game was played at the Estadio José Alvalade, the grand opening of Sporting CP’s new stadium. United had just returned from a demanding pre-season tour in the United States. O’Shea recalled the team’s fatigue from jet lag but added that Ronaldo’s prowess that night transcended any excuses.
Sporting CP secured a 3-1 win, with Ronaldo running rings around United’s defense, leaving a lasting impression on the Red Devils’ players and staff.
Speaking as part of the United We Play program that empowers players from untapped communities, John O’Shea said (via GOAL):
"When we saw what Cristiano could do, it was straightforward that we needed him. That was the one time players were delighted they weren’t playing—not because of Ronaldo, but because everyone was jet-lagged coming back from America. Trust me, I always take it as a compliment that he played so well against me. The manager must have thought: ‘He’s done well against John, so we’ll have to sign him straightaway.'"
Six days later, Manchester United secured Ronaldo’s signature for just £12.2 million, a deal that now stands as one of the greatest bargains in football history.
Reflecting on the swift nature of the transfer, O’Shea shared that Arsenal were also close to signing Ronaldo at the time.
"Obviously, Arsène Wenger and Arsenal were very interested. They really thought they had a deal nearly done. But when we saw his display that night, it was straightforward. The deal was going to be done very quickly," he added.
Over the next six years, Ronaldo would win three Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League, and his first Ballon d’Or before departing for Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world-record fee of £80 million.
O’Shea also highlighted the Al-Nassr forward's relentless work ethic, which became evident when he arrived at Old Trafford. He said:
"Nearly everyone in the first team squad would have been doing little extra training drills, but Ronaldo was doing it right from day one. One pre-season he came back, and it looked like he’d been doing a lot of extra weights, powerlifting, and injury prevention work. His leap, his aerial ability—it all improved. He was constantly working on himself."
O’Shea further remarked that the Portuguese star's commitment to improvement was a testament to his unparalleled drive, saying:
"From day one, he showed that hunger for greatness. To share the pitch with him for as long as I did was brilliant."
John O’Shea backs Ronaldo to reach 1,000 career goals
John O’Shea expressed his admiration for the Portuguese icon's enduring career and relentless pursuit of greatness, even at the age of 39.
Speaking in the same interview about his former teammate, the Irishman said he is amazed by Ronaldo’s longevity and continued impact on the international stage with Portugal.
"If you’d have told me he would have been doing what he’s doing now, I’d have been slightly surprised. I would have thought that he would have had enough, but it just shows you what he’s like. He has targets in his head—winning leagues, and doing stuff for Portugal. He seems to have that 1,000-goal mark in his head as well," O’Shea said.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has 916 career goals and 256 assists from 1255 games.
The former Real Madrid star, who holds the record for the most international goals in football history (135 strikes in 215 games, as per Transfermarkt), is still going strong. O’Shea believes his focus and dedication are key to his continued success. He added:
"He said something along the lines of all his goals will be on video. It tells you everything about him, the sacrifice he’s still willing to make. He’s still playing for Portugal. It’s incredible to see."
Reflecting on the 39-year-old's impact, O’Shea recalled how the Portuguese superstar scored twice against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier, a reminder of his enduring prowess.
"I witnessed it to my cost in the summer when he scored a couple of goals against Ireland. He’s still going strong," he concluded.