Cristiano Ronaldo flies in for goodbye meal with Sir Alex Ferguson

Cristiano Ronaldo made a flying visit to Manchester to say goodbye to his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The star striker got a private jet from Portugal for a discreet meal with the United manager, who he called his "second father".

They met 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."

The Portuguese player is moving to Real Madrid in a record £80million deal.

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."

Police were called to Ronaldo's house on Tuesday following a burglary scare.

A neighbour saw an open window and heard an alarm, but it was a false alert.

In Lisbon, fiery Ronaldo has already hit out at journalists, smashing the car window of photographer Hugo Martins, 35.

Get player videos and transfer news round-ups on the Football Spy blog .

FREE £25 BET WITH BETFAIR

Win top spec footy boots