Cristiano Ronaldo made his Manchester United debut in August 2003 during the Premier League opener against Bolton Wanderers
Everyone inside Old Trafford on a warm afternoon for the 2003/04 Premier League curtain-raiser knew they had witnessed the start of something special.
The early signs were evident from the off. There were huge cheers as he replaced Nicky Butt. As the teenager entered the fray, Ferguson, in short sleeves, warmly applauded. One of his first forays forward saw him dance this way and that and into the box before slipping. Nicky Hunt, the former Bolton Wanderers full-back, had the job of marking the Portugal star having endured 60 minutes of Ryan Giggs prior to Ronaldo's arrival. The Bolton man, making his own Premier League debut, left it fully aware he had seen a star in the making.
"I think we were surprised at just how exciting he was, his little tricks and flicks but he would get at you. When playing against players like Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Arjen Robben, you'd seen clips of them previously but with this kid, I'd never seen anything. "A marvellous debut, he was unbelievable. He is only a boy and we have got to be careful with him," said Ferguson, who later said of the Portugal star's development: "In his early days, I accept, he showboated a lot."
Ronaldo had well and truly arrived, his August introduction was the first sign of greatness. A host of magical moments followed and while his second United coming turned into something of a circus, few can come close to his impact at the club over the past two decades. And it all started with a mazy run and a flurry of stepovers.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Revealed: How Man Utd stopped Cristiano Ronaldo wanting ‘beautiful’ goals & made him a record-breaking superstarCristiano Ronaldo was turned into a lethal marksman by Manchester United, with the Portuguese superstar talked out of chasing only “beautiful” goals.
Read more »
Elanga opens up on Man Utd exit and learning from RonaldoFormer Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga has explained his decision to join Nottingham Forest this summer as he looks to prove a point in the Premier League
Read more »
How Man Utd's 25-man squad is shaping up amid transfers and Premier League rulesUnited have to submit an official squad list to the Premier League after the transfer window closes.
Read more »
Cristiano Ronaldo mercilessly trolls former teammate Sergio Ramos on InstagramCristiano Ronaldo has trolled Sergio Ramos on Instagram after he celebrated 60 million followers. The Al Nassr star is the most-followed person on the social media site after reaching 600 million f…
Read more »
Neymar admits 'everyone called Cristiano Ronaldo crazy' for Saudi moveNew Al Hilal signing Neymar has admitted that everyone called Cristiano Ronaldo crazy for being the Saudi Pro League’s first mega-star signing. The Brazilian icon has become the league’s most expen…
Read more »