Ronnie: Barca my first choice

The Premiership champions spent the best part of last summer haggling with PSG in a bid to lure Ronaldinho to Old Trafford.

But The Red Devils' manner of engaging in negotiations was not welcomed by PSG president Francis Graille, who criticised the handling of the transfer.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently admitted his disappointment at missing out on Ronaldinho and hinted former chief executive Peter Kenyon was to blame for the fiasco.

Ronaldinho concedes Kenyon may have handled the transfer much better but acknowledged it would not have affected his final decision.

The mercurial attacker admits he would have been honoured to represent The Red Devils but conceded Barcelona were always the favourites to secure his signature.

"I think PSG felt upset with the manner they were treated," Ronaldinho told the Independent on Sunday.

"Perhaps it would have made a difference if he (Kenyon) had done what Barcelona did and talked to Mr Graille.

"Manchester are a great club and it would have been an honour to play for them.

"But I have to admit that Barca were always my first choice.

"When I was younger, I used to watch my idols on TV - Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo - and hope that one day I, too, would be a hero of the Nou Camp."