October 14th 2024.
Manchester United were once in the running to sign the talented Brazilian footballer, Ronaldinho, but ultimately lost out to Barcelona. The former chief executive of Manchester United, Peter Kenyon, has recently revealed that concerns over Ronaldinho's entourage ultimately led to the collapse of the proposed move to Old Trafford. Despite United's interest, Barcelona managed to secure the deal for £21 million in the summer of 2003.
During his time at Barcelona, Ronaldinho proved to be a valuable asset to the team, winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or award and helping the club secure two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy. However, it was not an easy process for United to pursue the talented player. Kenyon disclosed that negotiations were mainly handled by Sir Alex Ferguson, who was also the one to make the final call to pull out of the race for Ronaldinho.
Kenyon further clarified that United did not lower their agreed fee with Paris Saint-Germain for Ronaldinho, as it was rumored. In fact, Ferguson was actively involved in all aspects of the transfer, including whether Ronaldinho was the right fit for the team, where he would play, and who he would replace. However, the concerns over his entourage and the different culture they would bring to the team became a major issue for United.
Ferguson even met with Ronaldinho during a pre-season friendly in 2003, but it became clear that his entourage was not just limited to his agent. Kenyon explained that there were about 20 other people present, making it a complex situation for United. It was not just about signing a great player, but also about the impact his entourage and their different ways would have on the team's environment and culture.
United had a certain way of doing things and did not allow players to bring their own physiotherapists, unlike other clubs. This became a bigger issue for United than the financial aspect of the deal. In the end, United decided to back out of the deal, with Kenyon stating that they came to the conclusion that it would not be a good fit for the team, especially after losing their star player, David Beckham.
United prided themselves on being an institution where everyone was treated equally, and they did not want to make any exceptions for Ronaldinho. Despite losing out on the opportunity to sign such a talented player, United stood by their principles and made the decision that they felt was best for the team.
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