‘Blame it on the weather’ – Fortune reflects on Manchester United missing out on Ronaldinho

Manchester United have often courted the world’s biggest stars but former midfielder Quinton Fortune believes he knows why the Red Devils missed out on Ronaldinho in 2003 – because of the weather.

After starring at the 2002 World Cup, the show-stopping Brazilian forward came close to joining United from Paris St Germain a year later but was given a tour of the facilities on a rainy day in the north west, and ultimately opted to play the best football of his career at Barcelona.

Ex-South Africa international Fortune, 40, will play against Ronaldinho in the upcoming Legends matches between United and the Catalans later this year, and wishes the two had been team-mates at Old Trafford.

“I think we got it wrong by bringing Ronaldinho in at the wrong time of year as it was raining that day he arrived at Manchester Airport,” said Fortune, who won the Premier League four times with United but only received one winners’ medal by special dispensation, due to a lack of game time.

“Maybe it was summer anyway but, if we’d have timed it with the right day, it could have been a different story.

(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images for Laureus)

“It would have been absolutely amazing to have him here. He’s one of the greatest players ever to play football and entertained with his skill, fun and joy.

“He brought it all and it will be a great occasion for everyone to play against him and watch him.

“I was very fortunate to play for South Africa against him in the Olympics [in Sydney, in 2000] in front of 72,000 fans but, when he was at Barcelona, he was a different Ronaldinho, so I’m hoping we get a glimpse of that and I hope I won’t have to mark him!”.