Cristiano Ronaldo's former team-mate Eric Djemba-Djemba has spoken about the close bond the pair enjoyed while playing at Manchester United - and tips his old side to win their first Premier League title in nine seasons now that their iconic No 7 is back.
The 40-year-old has just announced his retirement from football after a journeyman career that saw him in Israel, Serbia, India and Indonesia following a four-year stint in England with the Red Devils and Aston Villa.
Speaking to British Gambler ahead of Ronaldo's homecoming against Newcastle, the Cameroonian said: 'Oh my God, I am so, so happy to see Ronaldo back at Manchester United!
Eric Djemba-Djemba played 20 league games for Manchester United between 2003 and 2005
Djemba-Djemba and Ronaldo became good friends at United after the winger joined the club
Djemba-Djemba first faced Ronaldo when he starred for Sporting Lisbon against the Red Devils
Ronaldo immediately wowed his new supporters on his debut against Bolton in August 2003
'I'm mostly happy for the fans because they have been through a hard time for a few years, but now it's like their son has come home! Alex Ferguson is the Dad, and Ronaldo is the son.'
Djemba-Djemba first came across the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in 2003 during a friendly between United and Sporting Lisbon that has since gone down in legend as the youthful winger ran Sir Alex Ferguson's side ragged.
Djemba-Djemba said: 'At full time we sat in the changing room and just said to Alex Ferguson: 'We want this guy. We need this guy.'
'I remember coming up against him and trying to kick him, but I couldn't because he was just so fast! I couldn't even pull his shirt. I was so happy when we signed him so I didn't have to chase him again!'
The pair quickly became close and spend lots of time off the pitch as well as on it.
Djemba-Djemba continues: 'Every day, he would arrive first so that he could go to the gym before training, then after training he'd want to go to the gym again!
Djemba-Djemba and Ronaldo often went to Deansgate together and ate together at Nando's
'Sometimes I'd say 'Cristiano, let's go back home', because sometimes we'd drive to training together and I'd drive him or he would drive me, and we'd go to eat at a restaurant – he introduced me to Nandos, and we'd go and have food together – he loved the chicken there, and I'd have spicy chicken.'
'We'd often watch movies together, we liked to eat together, and went shopping together either to Deansgate of The Trafford Centre, and just be tourists in Manchester!
'We'd watch games together at his house and we'd see his mum, dad and sister at the house.
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