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.

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

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

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

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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.

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

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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”.’