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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ronaldo celebrating 40th birthday</li><li>Made his Man Utd debut in 2003</li><li>George Best raved about his performance</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Glowing George Best review of 'little gem' Cristiano Ronaldo's unforgettable Man Utd debut vs Bolton resurfaces on Portugal superstar's 40th birthday

Premier League

Manchester United

Ipswich

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/carlo-ancelotti-backs-cristiano-ronaldo-s-goat-claim-over-lionel-messi-real-madrid-pay-special-tribute-to-cr7-40th-birthday/bltc2c5fd27528a1783" target="_blank">Ronaldo is celebrating his 40th birthday</a> and remains one of the biggest names in the game despite heading towards the end of his career. The Portuguese superstar shot to fame after joining Manchester United from Sporting back in 2003. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=man+utd+players+ured+sirg+alex+to+sign+ronaldo+goal.com&amp;sca_esv=0122e517cc9bd786&amp;rlz=1C1AWFC_enGB829GB829&amp;sxsrf=AHTn8zp7sv8oLBnHUQAq_zZNNWQg1r2qcg%3A1738756179636&amp;ei=U1CjZ620JsW7hbIP4__2-Q8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjtqcDDu6yLAxXFXUEAHeO_Pf8Q4dUDCBA&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=man+utd+players+ured+sirg+alex+to+sign+ronaldo+goal.com&amp;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiN21hbiB1dGQgcGxheWVycyB1cmVkIHNpcmcgYWxleCB0byBzaWduIHJvbmFsZG8gZ29hbC5jb20yBxAhGKABGApIrApQiAFY2AhwAXgAkAEAmAGpAaAB_geqAQMxLji4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgqgApcIwgIOEAAYgAQYsAMYhgMYigXCAgsQABiABBiwAxiiBMICCBAAGLADGO8FmAMAiAYBkAYHkgcDMi44oAfnNw&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp" target="_blank">Ronaldo famously impressed the United players so much in a pre-season friendly</a> they urged manager Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him. He subsequently arrived at Old Trafford and went on to enjoy huge success at the club, winning Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles as a Red Devil.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo's debut for United came as a second-half substitute against Bolton. The Red Devils won 4-0 but all the post-match talk was about Ronaldo after an impressive cameo. Club legend Best was also dazzled by United's new signing and his glowing review has re-emerged as Ronaldo celebrates turning 40, with the club sharing the article on their <a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/when-george-best-predicted-the-rise-of-cristiano-ronaldo-in-2003" target="_blank">official website</a> to mark his birthday.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Best wrote in United's magazine: "Cristiano Ronaldo's first United game as a substitute in the season opener against Bolton was undoubtedly the most exciting debut performance I've ever seen. A few of my old team-mates were at the game and they compared him to me. There have been a few players described as 'the new George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me. There have been players who have some similarities, but this lad's got more than anyone else, especially as he is genuinely two-footed. He can play on either wing, beat players with ease and put in dangerous crosses with his left or right peg. When was the last time you saw that? Another thing I liked about Ronaldo against Bolton was how he dealt with the physical side. As soon as he came on, he was clattered from behind but he just got up and got on with the game. It didn't faze him at all. That's the right attitude."</p><p>Best went on to describe Ronaldo's £12.4 million transfer fee as a "snip" and called the Portuguese youngster a "little gem" and the "icing on the cake" for Sir Alex's side, while also predicting "it's hard to imagine another European Cup triumph is too far away!”</p>

WHAT BEST SAID

<p>Ronaldo went on to develop into an all-time great at Manchester United before leaving for a blockbuster transfer to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed more success and became the club's record goalscorer. The forward is now in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, where he continues to bang in the goals as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-1000-career-goals-al-nassr-striker-age-retire-football/blte7c4b4ae38b6732e" target="_blank">he aims to hit the 1,000 mark before finally hanging up his boots</a>.</p><p></p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO

Glowing George Best review of 'little gem' Cristiano Ronaldo's unforgettable Man Utd debut vs Bolton resurfaces on Portugal superstar's 40th birthday | Goal.com

Manchester United legend George Best&apos;s review of Cristiano Ronaldo&apos;s impressive debut for the club has re-emerged on the superstar&apos;s 40th birthday.

Glowing George Best review of &apos;little gem&apos; Cristiano Ronaldo&apos;s unforgettable Man Utd debut vs Bolton resurfaces on Portugal superstar&apos;s 40th birthday

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