Last Updated: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:19
Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he was naive to push for a move to Real Madrid as he prepares to make his United comeback in 3 weeks.
The Reds star says he never wanted to leave against the club's will and that Sir Alex Ferguson understood his reasons for wanting to play closer to home.
"After we'd won the Champions League I felt that I'd help win everything there was to win," he said. "I felt maybe I needed a new challenge.
"I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought it could be the right moment.
"Apart from the challenge, everyone realises that Spanish and Portuguese culture and lifestyle are more similar. I also have to recognise that my family would welcome the change," Ronaldo added in an interview with Inside United magazine.
"The chance of being an hour's flight from my family was very attractive. The people at United, particularly the manager, understood my reasons.
"What I said publicly, which was maybe a little naive, I take total responsibility for. I just said what I thought: I have a dream of playing at Real and I thought it was time to move on.
"I knew Real were interested in me and they had, allegedly, made a substantial offer. For a while, I wanted United to accept. If we hadn't been European champions, I probably wouldn't have thought about going to Madrid. And another thing - I never wanted to leave against United's will.
"I'm 100 per cent professional and have always given my heart and soul to this club.
"If one day I leave, I want to do it knowing I did everything I could to help the club win as much as possible."
Ronaldo is expected to make his return to United colours against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford on September 27.