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Manchester United news: All the latest from Old Trafford
Ronaldinho may have rejected Manchester United because of the bad weather
Quinton Fortune says they 'got it wrong' by arranging talks when it was raining
The Brazilian legend rejected a move to Old Trafford in favour of sunny Barcelona

Published: 05:56 EDT, 26 June 2017 | Updated: 08:17 EDT, 26 June 2017

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Manchester United missed out on the signing of Ronaldinho because they brought him to Old Trafford for transfer talks when it was raining, according to former star Quinton Fortune.

Having decided to sell David Beckham to Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson was in the market of a marquee addition to provide a new creative spark. After a stunning World Cup campaign the previous summer, Ronaldinho was deemed the perfect candidate.

He invited the Brazil international to Manchester for a tour of facilities, but it just so happened to be a particularly dreary day in the north of England when he stepped off the plane.

Ronaldinho chose Barcelona over Manchester United in the fateful summer of 2003

Ultimately, Ronaldinho would join Barcelona and go on to win myriad trophies, but Fortune believes events would have played out very differently had the sun been shining on that fateful day.

He told Manchester United's official website: '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.

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

'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.

Ronaldinho was courted by a host of top clubs when he decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain

'I was very fortunate to play for South Africa against him in the Olympics 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!'

Fortune was speaking ahead of a match between Manchester United and Barcelona legends, which will be played out at the Nou Camp this weekend.

Fortune will be joined by the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes and Denis Irwin on the red side while Ronaldinho is expected to feature for Barcelona alongside Rivaldo and Patrick Kluivert among others.