I applauded a player for knocking Manchester United out of the Champions League after we could have signed him

It was on April 23, 2003, when a Brazilian striker by the name of Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima tore apart Manchester United's Champions League dream.

After navigating their way through two group stages, United were four games away from a European Cup final in their own backyard. Old Trafford had been chosen as the setting for the 2003 finale.

The prospect of winning the European crown on your own turf is not an opportunity that presents itself all that often. United, however, had to conquer Real Madrid, often renowned as European football's greatest powerhouse, at the quarter-final stage. It was never going to be easy.

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After losing the first leg 3-1 at the Bernabeu, United faced the challenge of attempting to overturn a two-goal deficit. They knew a 2-0 win would be enough to see them through to the last four because of the away goals rule. Ruud van Nistelrooy had offered the Reds a glimmer of hope in Spain, netting a consolation effort in response to two goals from Raúl and one from Luís Figo.

Ultimately, United's efforts were to no avail. Ronaldo, often referred to nowadays as the 'original Ronaldo', produced one of the most scintillating performances in Old Trafford's rich and colourful history.

Scoring a hat-trick, the first goal of which put Madrid 4-1 up on aggregate, the Brazilian, who is widely considered one of the greatest goal-getters of all-time, ended United's hopes of a potential appearance in an Old Trafford Champions League final. After a low shot found its way past Fabien Barthez in the United goal for his first, Ronaldo then tapped home