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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen

Manchester United owner left red-faced after Cristiano Ronaldo blunder

Manchester United owner Avram Glazer has been left embarrassed as an inspirational speech went wrong after he claimed Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club at the age of 16.

While aspects of his rallying cry to athletes at his old university campus in Tulane, Louisiana, were correct, the fact surrounding one of the very clubs he owned was wrong.

The 36-year-old made his sensational return to Old Trafford on Deadline Day after originally leaving for Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world record fee.

Ultimately, to the United's owners embarrassment, Ronaldo arrived from Portugal when he was a fresh-faced 18-year-old arriving from Sporting Lisbon.

After six years with the club, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, his first Ballon d'Or and a Champions League before leaving for the Spanish capital where he added to his glistening trophy cabinet.

The rousing speech given by the owner also featured 10-time Super Bowl-winning quarter-back Tom Brady paying respects to the sportsmen for the dedication they showed in order to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports.

"To be good and to win, is not easy, there are a lot of good athletes and it is very competitive," he said.

"Cristiano Ronaldo joined us when he was 16 years old - from the day he joined Manchester United, he was the first person at practice and the last person to leave practice.

"Great athletes are not just born great but they have to work extra hard and they try their best, you have to be as focused as possible and try to achieve what you can achieve."

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