London, July 2 : Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo made a flying visit to Manchester to say goodbye to his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The star striker, who is to formally join Spanish football club Real Madrid on Monday, flew into Manchester on a private jet from Portugal for a discreet meal at one of Sir Alex's favourite restaurants in the swish Alderley Edge Hotel, just a few hundred yards from Ronaldo's former home in Cheshire.

A source at the hotel said: "It was a low-key affair. Cristiano just wanted to say thanks for everything Sir Alex had done for him."

Sir Alex paid a gushing tribute to the 24-year-old footballer following Monday's meal.

He said: "Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United. His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world. He has been a major factor in the club's success and everyone here wishes him well in his future."

A club source said: "No one expected Cristiano to ever return to Manchester, except if Real Madrid play here.

"He's instructed his people to clear out his home and sort out his cars," The Mirror reported. (ANI)