Following the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid in the summer of 2003, Manchester United needed a marquee signing.
Sir Alex Ferguson put plenty of time and effort into tempting Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldinho, then of Paris Saint-Germain, to sign on at Old Trafford, but the playmaker was eventually convinced that his future would best be served in La Liga with Barcelona.
Nevertheless, Ferguson would not have to wait too much longer to capture the exciting talent that his squad required.
Having won all four of their pre-season tour matches in the USA, United stopped off in Portugal before they returned home for an encounter against Sporting Lisbon, who were opening their new Estadio Jose Alvalade ground.
It was an in-form, confident and experienced United side that took to the pitch in the Portuguese capital 11 years ago today, yet they were run ragged all evening by a relatively unknown gangly 18-year-old with curly blond streaks for a fringe - Cristiano Ronaldo.
The young winger had made just 31 senior appearances for Sporting, but his star quality was there for all to see as he dismantled the United defence time and again with unpredictable dribbles, great strength and a direct approach.
He tested United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez early on with a powerful shot from distance, before he set up two goals for his teammates in what would be a 3-1 victory for the home side.
The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal had all been heavily linked with Ronaldo, but having been strongly encouraged by the players that had been twisted one way and then the other by the teenager, Ferguson was persuaded to secure his services for just over £12m.
Reflecting on Ronaldo's performance against his team, Ferguson wrote in his recent autobiography: "John O'Shea was right-back. People persist in saying Gary Neville was in that unenviable position, but it was John O'Shea. The first pass Ronaldo took prompted me to howl: 'For Christ's sake, John, get tight to him!'
"John shrugged his shoulders. A look of pain and bewilderment was creeping across his face. The other players in the dugout were saying: 'Bloody hell, boss, he's some player, him.'
"I said: 'It's all right, I've got him sorted.' As if the deal had been done ten years ago. I told Albert, our kitman: 'Get up to that directors' box and get (Peter) Kenyon down at half-time.' I told Peter: 'We're not leaving this ground until we've got that boy signed.' 'Is he that good?' Kenyon asked. 'John O'Shea's ended up with a migraine!' I said. 'Get him signed.'
Liam Apicella
