Paul Scholes revealed: The Brazilian star was very close to joining Manchester in the summer of 2003, but at the last minute changed his mind and signed in Barcelona

• Ronaldinho in the Peace Game. It was close to Old Trafford

  Photo: 

  Alan Shaver

Paul Scholes revealed on Tuesday how Manchester United players went from expecting Ronaldinho's arrival to the team to the position they are trying to kick in a matter of days.

According to United's past player, everything was ready for Ronaldinho's move from Paris Saint-Germain to Old Trafford in the summer of 2003, but the Brazilian changed his mind at the last minute and signed Barcelona instead. Whoever came to United that summer is Cristiano Ronaldo.

The story was revealed when Paul Scholes was asked to recall some of the transfers that did not take place in Manchester United under Alex Ferguson and mentioned Harry Kuyel, who rejected a bid from United and signed in Liverpool, as well as Damien Duff and Aryan Ruben who were close. But the biggest name on the list is none other than the Brazilian star - Ronaldinho.

"I think the most prominent name is Ronaldinho," Scholes said, "I don't remember exactly what year it was, but I really thought the manager got it. We were in pre-season games, and I think they were very close to announcing the signing and giving him a number, But it ended by changing his mind at the last minute and signing in Barcelona. "

"It was weird, because in that pre-season campaign we played against Barcelona, ​​so we were all excited," continued Scholes. "Ronaldinho, what a player! "So everybody tried to kick him. We tried to hit him because he didn't sign with us."

As everyone remembers, Ronaldinho eventually signed in Barcelona, ​​playing in the team for five years during which many considered him the best player in the world. Today the Brazilian star of the past is in the Paraguayan prison after trying to enter a country with fake local passports.