Cristiano Ronaldo: Sir Alex Ferguson was my football father at Manchester United

Ronaldo, who was signed by Ferguson from Sporting Lisbon when still only a teenager, developed into one of the world’s best players during his time under the Scot – eventually leaving Old Trafford for a world record fee when he joined Real Madrid for £80 million in 2008.

Speaking to the BBC for a forthcoming documentary on Ferguson, Ronaldo revealed one of the reasons why the manager was able to get the best out of him and so many other players.

"When my dad was sick in London and was in hospital - very bad, in a coma - I had a conversation with [Ferguson]," Ronaldo revealed. "I said, 'Boss, I don't feel good.'

"We are in a key moment in the league and the Champions League, but I say, 'Boss, I don't feel good. I want to see my dad.'

"[He said] 'Cristiano, you want to go one day, two days, one week, you can go. I'm going to miss you here because you know you are important, but your dad [comes] first.'

"When he told me that, I thought, 'This guy's unbelievable'."

It is that personal approach to management that Ronaldo believes was so effective, and enabled Ferguson to get so much out of his players.

"He invites everyone to come for lunch, come for tea... an English cup of tea!" Ronaldo added. "It was a family with him. He was a football father for me."

Love Manchester United? Connect with fans at Manchester United Forum on Facebook and manutdforum.org.