Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson

Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the Scot celebrates 25 years in charge at Old Trafford.

Ferguson brought the winger to the club as an 18-year-old in 2003 before he sold him to Real Madrid six years later for £80m.

"Sir Alex has a special place in my life," Ronaldo told The Mirror. "In fact, he was the main man. I was not famous, I was not a star. I arrived at Old Trafford as just another young talent.

"He was the one who told me to do all the right things. He gave me the opportunity to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"So he is one of the most important people in the world for me."

The club have commemorated the 69-year-old's time in charge by renaming the North Stand of Old Trafford the Sir Alex Ferguson stand.