Ronaldinho has now admitted a move to Old Trafford would have been his first choice but claims that Barca showed more interest in concluding a deal.

He told the News of the World: “United were definitely my first choice. Originally they were very poite but they left a lot of questions unanswered.

“I met great people in Manchester and I hope the door is open for the future.

“But what really disappoints me is I was ready and extremely close to being the first Brazilian to play for them.

“Throughout the negotiations, the United people showed a certain distance while Barcelona pushed for me and presented a more personal touch.

“Things took too long and Barcelona arrived the table. I had to make a decision because United weren’t contacting me. My physical condition was starting to get questionable and, at the stage I am at professionally, I cannot afford that to happen.”

United manager Alex Ferguson laid the blame for the failure to agree a transfer on Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Roberto Assis.

“The only frustration we had was with his brother. We never even got the chance to sit down with the boy (Ronaldinho).

“I know he doesn’t speak English anyway, but we never got to know whether he wanted to come or not.

“In the end we withdrew. We wanted an answer there and then. We gave them a deadline and we walked away. So he was left with Barcelona.

“He rejected us only in the sense he didn’t tell us: "I want to join Manchester United."

“The problem was that most of our dialogue was done through his brother. But other players have turned us down and we have gone on to win trophies.”