Sir Alex Ferguson beamed with happiness as he dined with Patrice Evra having played an instrumental role in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United. Evra was in Manchester after featuring in Saturday's Soccer Aid match at the Etihad Stadium and made sure he caught up with his former manager.The pair were pictured smiling and embracing alongside Evra's partner, Dutch model Margaux Alexandra, and their four-month-old son, Lilas. Ferguson and Evra may well have been toasting their recent success in convincing Cristiano Ronaldo to snub interest from Manchester City to return to Old Trafford in a £12.8million transfer from Juventus. Evra and his family dined out with Ferguson on MondayFerguson is understood to have phoned Ronaldo late in the transfer window to implore him not to tarnish his United legacy by joining local rivals City. Evra, meanwhile, shared his WhatsApp conversation with the Portugal captain in the build-up to the Red Devils announcing the sensational signing. Many of Ronaldo's former United teammates reportedly echoed Ferguson's comments, leading to his talks with City breaking down.In his amusing chat with Ronaldo, Evra could not believe the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was rejoining United.But the Frenchman and Ferguson's efforts helped tip the balance and persuaded Ronaldo to return 12 years on from when he departed for Real Madrid. Evra and Ronaldo spent three-and-a-half trophy-laden seasons alongside each other at United after Ferguson signed the left-back from Monaco in January 2006. The duo won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League during that spell, while Evra would scoop another three major honours before leaving United in 2014. Like Ronaldo, Evra continues to share a close bond with Ferguson, who left the Red Devils after the triumphant 2012/13 season. Will Cristiano Ronaldo have a successful second spell at Manchester United? Comment below.The former France international compared the legendary Scot to the Pope as he captioned his picture from their meal. He wrote on Instagram : "Me: We're going to have lunch with the Pope. Margaux Alexandra: Cool we going to Italy. Me: Nope he live in Manchester." Last week, Evra posted another picture of him and Ronaldo and wrote: "Bro can you stop holding back my excitement, love, respect for you coming back where you belong."Ronaldo, meanwhile, also took to social media to pay tribute to Ferguson in the wake of his return to United.At the end of a lengthy post, he wrote: "My first domestic League, my first Cup, my first call to the Portuguese National team, my first Champions League, my first Golden Boot and my first Ballon dOr, they were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils."History has been written in the past and history will be written once again! You have my word! Im right here! Im back where I belong! Lets make it happen once again! PS - Sir Alex, this one is for you"