In the end, Ferguson was forced to fly out to meet the player just before United went on tour to South Africa, telling him he would not be sold, no matter what sum Real offered, and that he would be staying at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo continued to be linked with the Bernabeu until the beginning of last month, when the 23-year-old finally confirmed his intention to continue with United.

However, the long-running saga led to many Red Devils supporters openly criticising the former Sporting Lisbon star, raising the spectre of anti-Ronaldo chants when he returns to the bench following ankle surgery for tomorrow night’s Champions League opener with Villarreal.

Yet Ferguson is confident anger on the terraces has been quelled and Ronaldo will receive his usual enthusiastic welcome.

“I don’t think he has to win the fans over,” said Ferguson. “They understand he is a young man who has been tempted by the lure of money.

“He said he would like to go to Real Madrid but he has shown fantastic maturity in the last few weeks. He has accepted the situation and got on with it.

“There is no pettiness and he has not thrown his toys out of the pram. There are no issues at all regarding Cristiano.”

Ferguson has nothing but praise for the dedication Ronaldo has shown towards his recovery from ankle surgery.

Even the United boss did not expect to see the player who scored an incredible 42 goals last year back in action until the beginning of October.

His return is well timed too given Michael Carrick could be out for six weeks with a broken foot, Paul Scholes is suspended tomorrow and Dimitar Berbatov a major doubt after suffering a bang on the knee in Saturday’s defeat at Liverpool.

Not that Ferguson intends to rush Ronaldo back too quickly.

“It has given us a lift having Cristiano around because you are talking about a truly magnificent player,” said the Scot.

“He will certainly be involved but it is more likely he will start on the bench.

“He has been one of the best patients I have ever seen.

“He has been here every day right through until 5pm. He has shown a real desire to get back playing for us.

“We might have involved him on Saturday if we had been at home. But because we were away I just felt it would be even better to give him another few days.”

Carlos Tevez certainly feels Ronaldo can spark United into life after their sluggish start to the season.

One win from their opening three Premier League games is not what Ferguson wanted, especially as Sunday brings a meeting with a Chelsea side including John Terry, whose provisional three-match ban following his dismissal at Manchester City on Saturday has been overturned.

“Cristiano is a massive player for us,” said the Argentina forward.

“It is like having an extra player when he is there.

“He is such a danger to our opponents. It will be a big boost to have him back.”

With Ronaldo absent and Wayne Rooney’s best performance of the season so far coming in an England shirt, Tevez has been United’s most obvious attacking threat.

Little wonder Ferguson wants to tie up a £30million permanent deal for the former Boca Juniors man, who confirmed he would happily accept.

“From the first moment I came here I would have loved to sign a long-term contract,” he said.

“Last year was a very happy season and it would be wonderful if the chairman put a long-term contract in front of me.

“If he did that I would sign it without a doubt.”