Roy Keane: 'I liked Cristiano Ronaldo straight away'

Roy Keane has spoken of Cristiano Ronaldo's early days at Manchester United, claiming that the Portuguese's attitude, hard work and talent endeared him to the club captain.

The Real Madrid star began his senior club career playing for Sporting Lisbon before signing with the Red Devils as a teenager in 2003.

During his time at Old Trafford, Ronaldo helped United win three successive Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a FIFA Club World Cup.

In a transcript from Keane's 2014 autobiography The Second Half reprinted in Givemesport, the Irishman admits that he took a shine to Ronaldo and tipped him for stardom despite his young age.

"I liked Ronaldo straight away," the Irishman wrote. "He had a nice presence about him and a good attitude.

"After watching him train for a few days I thought: 'This lad is going to be one of the best players in the world.' He was seventeen, but he was immediately one of the hardest working players at United.

"He was good looking and he knew it. Looking at some of the other players in front of the mirror I would think: 'You fucking nugget'. But Ronaldo had an innocence to him and a niceness."

Ronaldo has since gone on to win five Ballon d'Or titles, as well as helping Madrid to multiple domestic, European and world titles, in addition to contributing to Portugal's winning Euro 2016.