Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he was made to miss football management just once after watching a Champions League spectacle.

Ferguson retired as United boss in 2013 following a trophy-laden 26-year spell and bowed out on a high after winning his 13th Premier League title in his final season.

His presence is sorely missed at Old Trafford with the club having failed to lift the top-flight trophy since under their six different managers to date.

The 82-year-old has remained firmly on the sidelines and minimised his involvement in football, although he admitted to missing the buzz of the sport on one occasion.

It was not a United game that saw him yearning for the good times. Instead, Ferguson was mesmerised after watching Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the one match that made him miss football management

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Ferguson retired in 2013 after leading Manchester United to glory over his 26-year tenure

He told United’s website: ‘I made the decision [to retire] because of [wife] Cathy’s [his wife] sister dying and she was on her own, there was no doubt about that.

‘I took Cathy to the [2014] European Cup final the next year, when Real Madrid played Atletico Madrid in Lisbon. That’s the first time I said to myself, “I miss this”.

‘I went down to see Ronaldo after the game, Carlo Ancelotti was the manager.

‘He’s a fantastic guy, and he saw me waiting in the corridor. He said, “Cristiano’s going to the medical room to get treated, come in”.

‘All the [Real Madrid] players came around and shook my hand. It was a really nice moment, you know.

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But he missed the sport after watching Real Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final

‘That’s probably the only time I said to myself, “I miss this”, a big game like that.’

Ferguson would go on to play a crucial role in Ronaldo’s spectacular return to United in 2021 after sending him a text message urging him not to join Manchester City.

Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ronaldo said: ‘I followed my heart. He [Ferguson] said to me, “It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City”.

‘I said, “OK, boss”.’