---
title: "Thompson reveals Houllier’s reaction to Man United signing Ronaldo"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/thompson-reveals-houlliers-reaction-to-man-united-signing-ronaldo/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-10-14T19:00:42Z"
modified: "2020-10-14T19:00:42Z"
---

# Thompson reveals Houllier’s reaction to Man United signing Ronaldo

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has revealed how Gerard Houllier almost choked on his food when he saw Manchester United had signed Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Reds were linked with the Portuguese legend back in 2003, only for United to swoop in and [sign him](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3142959.stm) that summer.

Ronaldo went on to become a superstar at Old Trafford, inspiring United to both Premier League and Champions League glory, before moving on to Real Madrid and achieving even greater success.

Speaking to *[The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2129209/2020/10/14/cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-real-madrid/?redirected=1)*, Thompson spoke about the Reds seemingly being in pole position to sign the forward during a meal with agent Tony Henry, only for Houllier to find out the truth in the Melwood canteen further down the line:

> I can still remember Tony’s exact words. It was all very nice and relaxed. ‘It’s £4 million and it can be paid over the four years of his contract, so £1 million a year’. That seemed very reasonable. Then I asked about the salary and Tony told me it was £1 million a year, net.

> For an 18-year-old, that was a lot of money. But Tony said it was negotiable and I thought, ‘Jesus, these lot are really trying to push him out of the door’. We were keen, the boy was obviously a great talent.

> I will never forget what happened next. On the Tuesday morning, we were having lunch at the training ground and it came up on the yellow strap on Sky Sports, ‘Manchester United have signed Cristiano Ronaldo for £12.2 million’.

> Gerard and myself almost choked on our food. I can remember Gerard jumping up and saying, ‘What the hell has gone on there?’

### Read Liverpool Verdict

It may hurt to admit it, but Liverpool missing out on Ronaldo has to go down as one of the biggest ‘sliding doors’ moments in the club’s history.

The 35-year-old has gone on to cement his reputation as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, also dragging United through so many games at a time when the Reds were their direct title rivals.

With Ronaldo at Anfield, I fully believe Liverpool would have won the league title under Rafa Benitez – imagine him out on the left-hand side in the team that also featured Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

You have to wonder if Michael Edwards, Liverpool’s current transfer guru, would have got a deal over the line at the time, and it highlights how both clubs have swapped positions when it comes to completing business in the present day.

I could see a scenario where the new young superstar, Jadon Sancho, ends up joining Liverpool over United next summer, with Edwards working his magic.