Ferguson praises Ronaldo’s return and compares it to "Caesar entering Rome"

Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly praised Cristiano Ronaldo's heroic return to Old Trafford and has compared it to Caesar entering Rome.

Ferguson was at his old stomping ground to watch the Portugal skipper score brace against Newcastle on his second debut.

Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles under the former Red Devils boss added to that return by netting against Young Boys in the Champions League.

The 79-year-old ex-United boss who signed Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon at 18, told the United Podcast: 

"You saw on that Saturday against Newcastle that it was like Caesar entering Rome after victory.

'I came, I saw, I conquered.' It was fantastic.

"I mean, for anyone who is a United fan, we could have had a million people in there, without doubt, as there were so many outside, hundreds outside. 

“It's one of these things. When he was here as a kid, his learning process was very, very quick.

"A lot of people said he was a diver and there was a little spell of that but, after that, he was attacking defenders and all he needed was a nudge and he would waltz by them. 

“He would attack with unbelievable speed. I think the increasing knowledge of his game - I think he was born with a desire.

“He sacrificed himself to be the best. I remember we were playing Arsenal on Saturday and it was pouring rain at Carrington. 

“I said to him, and you know he would always practice after training, and I said, we've got a game tomorrow and it's too wet. The ground is too soft.

"So I went into my office, looked out of the window and what did he do?

“He went on the Astroturf. I had no argument! I couldn't say anything to him. He's beat me."

Ronaldo, who faces Villarreal next in the Champions League on Wednesday, enjoyed a glittering six-year career at United under Ferguson.

The Portugal international won ten trophies with the Manchester giants including a Club World Cup, a Champions League title and an FA Cup.