Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says Sir Alex Ferguson knew he couldn't keep him at Manchester United last summer. Discussing his meeting with Ferguson after deciding it was time to leave Old Trafford, Ronaldo says he was upfront with his former manager.

He said: "The truth is that playing for Real was a dream. I told Ferguson this and that he should respect my opinion. He understood me and helped me out of United because I wanted something different."

Asked about his Mum talking to the Spanish papers while he was still a United player, Ronaldo smiled: "What am I going to tell my mother? She is an impulsive person and loves Real Madrid."