Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is the best manager that he has played under.

The 30-year-old spent six trophy-laden years playing under the Scot at Old Trafford, before sealing a then-world record £80m move to Real in 2009.

The Portuguese recalls a moment when Ferguson granted him compassionate leave to visit his ill father at a crucial time of the season - an incident which the three-time Ballon d'Or winner will never forget.

"I just have to say thank you for what [Ferguson] did for me," Ronaldo told chatshow host Jonathan Ross during an interview on ITV. "We had an important game in the Champions League and I said, 'Coach I need to go to see my daddy' and I was a key player.

"He said, 'Listen, your personal life, your family is the important thing that you have in your life. If you want to go three days, four days, five days you can go'.

"This moment is what I keep for me because it was the most important time in my life and he shared it with me. This is why I respect him and for me he's the best coach I ever had."

Ronaldo also spent three years playing under Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu.