Rio Ferdinand admits he pleaded with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Manchester United last year.Premier League champions United did speak to Real about re-signing Ronaldo, and Ferdinand claims he was on the phone constantly to his old pal.
When asked if he had contacted his former teammate, Ferdinand told the Mirror: "What do you think? He was one of the most dialed people on my phone at the time!
"But I think the opportunity has gone now. If we could have done it, I think it would have been last summer. He's signed a new deal at Real now.
"As footballers you don't really let on too much to each other. It's like a chess game. And in those situations you have got your one and two first-choice moves or scenarios that you want to happen. So to let people know is sort of letting the cat out of the bag. You play your cards close to your chest.
"But if he was going to leave Real Madrid, I think Manchester United would have been the place he would have come to. That's my personal view, but no-one will ever know now."
