Jun 11
Breaking News: United accept 80m Ronaldo bid
As reported on ManUtd.com, Manchester United have accepted an unconditional 80m transfer bid from Real Madrid for Ronaldo. The decision was taken after the player requested the move again this summer and is expected to go through by the end of the month.
United will in all likelihood use the funds to bring in a winger and a striker as replacements for Ronaldo and the likely-to-depart Tevez, with Ribery and Benzema the two names most linked to United.
We’ll have more on this as the story develops – for now you can read more here (ManUtd.com) and here (Soccerlens.com), and discuss it below in the comments.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Hargreaves Move Confirmed – Breaking News
- Ribery, Sanchez, Silva or Eto’o? Who will replace Ronaldo?!
- Anderson talks – puts speculation to bed
- Manchester United get Aon Money
- United sign Michele Fornasier
Tags: Manchester United Players · Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
June 11th, 2009 at 10:47
Im pissed! 80 million sounds like a lot of money but Ronaldo is irreplaceable. He is definitely the best player Fergie has ever had and a real once in a generation player. He carried this team the last two years and without his goals I really don’t know how we can prevent a slide.
Ribery will cost £60 million. Benzema will cost £30 million. Most likely neither will be available or want to join us.
So I have a nasty feeling we will shell out the money for Tevez and go ahead and buy Valencia and put the rest of the money in the bank. Season over.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:50
@colver: But he doesn’t want to play for us, for me it is really good business, also it gets it over and done with, the fans have got fed up with the protracted nature of this, well done David Gill, finally.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:58
When will we get SAF’s feedback or is he as we speak force-feeding C-Ron with H1N1 to send to Madrid?
June 11th, 2009 at 10:58
good business for united. 80m is an utterly ridiculous transfer fee for one footballer. to think you could buy newcastle FC for just 20m more makes it all the more unbelievable.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:08
for all he done for us and his talent I’m sad. But then again did we get to really enjoy our champions league glory the season before last? no. Purely because he thought he was bigger than the club and could play the club and the fans like pawns. I’m greatful for what he has done for the club with his talent but honestly, I’m glad to see the back of him.
We always have had big players at United, he’s just another to the list now…
June 11th, 2009 at 11:12
well i for one am glad ronaldo is leaving, his attitude behaviour whining and sulking drew me to a wits end, for all the talent in the world, i wish the boy had another head on his shoulders, £80m is a helluva lot of money and no one is worth that much money, hell £80m buys u 4/5th of newcastle
so what do united do, well i have a sneaking suspicion we have a done deal with a player at valencia, why we arranged a pre season friendly with them, tell me when is the last united arranged a pre season friendly with a big club, most of the times its someone like aberdeen.
this friendly is a way to build up links with them, or maybe part of the bargain for us buying one of their players, i.e we buy him, pay you this and arrange a friendly where you receive this percentage of the gate receipts, interpret how you want it, i maybe reading into it too much
Secondly, i pressume there will be a mass exodus of attacking players at old trafford with 4 maybe 5 casualties, ronaldo is going, tevez never was here to stay, campbell manucho will definately joing hull, unfortunately this can only mean one thing, the old guard, scholes giggs and neville are staying for yet another season, FANTASTIC! Just what we need to get over losing two quality players in Tevez and Ronaldo
In terms of strikers, i only want benzema or villa to join, no one else unless his nickname is dubbed K9(Keirrison), people may think im talking about keirrison like its football manager, but believe me, i watch brasilian football like grognard watches bundesliga and keirrison is a top top talent, palmerias are nothing without him
Speaking of which, brasil have a lot of midfield talent coming through, most notably hernanes and douglas costa, the former being a player of great talent and one united need, furthermore yesterday i saw a fantastic midfield performance by a player called Felipe Melo of Fiorentina, he is a defensive midfield who both can win the ball and dictate play from the back, his pass to nilmar for brasil’s second call was exceptional, both him and hernanes joing united would be a dream and would seriously make our midfield the best in the world, though the likelyhood of this happening is similar to grognard becoming an anderson homer, meh time will tell
On to the wings, antonio valencia is going to be our first signing HURRAH for us, hes a good player but is he honestly united quality?, give me david silva or frank ribery over him because honestly we need quality in this team, not galactico quality because we all know that does not work, but still i think nani is probably more talented than valencia we even have tosic and Ljajic joining this january, though he is a MASSIVE upgrade over park
June 11th, 2009 at 11:16
Mr Muhozi, really hope you’re right about Valencia. what do u think of David Villa?
June 11th, 2009 at 11:24
@miele: david villa is, as much as it hurts me to say this, the best striker in the world no doubt about it, can score with both feet from upto 30 yards out, pace dribbling skill and first touch what more could you want from a striker, he is the jack of all trades for striker qualities, whilst he may not posses van Nistelroy finishing, van persie left foot or luca toni heading, he is good enough to be a top 5 in virtually all categories which is why he is the worlds best at the moment.
Will he be a good fit at united, that i do not know, i presume benzema will be a better fit just because of his physicality and pace though technically villa is better
June 11th, 2009 at 11:38
Valencia is not United quality, especially as we already have Nani at the club, the signing to me is pointless.
Some other good news may well come out of this, firstly a player who’s heart simply isn’t at the club has been sold for silly, silly money. Secondly it might bring more out of Rooney who has played second flddle to Ronaldo and Berba, who could and should now step up to the plate.
Our play of late has been very predicable, get the ball to Ronaldo and he scores, maybe the fluid football we are known for will come back, more team ethic rather than simply play with one player as the principal.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:42
@Stephen: Ya thats the only good thing in all these, I still hope we can get few young guys to build the team rather than wasting money on some flop..
June 11th, 2009 at 11:44
He was always going. I will miss the 80 yard runs with Rooney capped by a goal, but there’s plenty I won’t miss. Glad to see the deal done.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:49
@despicable: It is good all round for the club mate, selling a player for £80m who does not want to play for you is superb business, obviously if his heart was at the club and desperatly wanted to stay then it would be more debatable.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:51
@Stephen: Ya thats true, but may be in immediate future it may affect the result, And we united fans are too harsh on the team, We have to see how could they handle loosing such people around whom the team was build.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:51
I’m a little upset we didn’t get huntelaar in the deal but still 80m is more than fair. Ronaldo gave us some good years, but if I’m honest he has worn out his welcome in England. I wish him all the best except for when he plays us.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:52
well now we need two wingers, personally i hope they are 2 of valencia, ashley young or david silva (i of course want ribery but he would cost far too much)
June 11th, 2009 at 11:56
@Duffstuff: Young may be better suited, but all depends on the way team goes along and how are they gonna play henceforth.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:57
@Johnsom33: Shame I agree, but I suppose he has just arrived at Real and probably doesn’t want to leave.
I hope some players that we have in mind the deals have been agreed in principal, other clubs will now know we have money to spend and our usual levy will go up ten fold now.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:57
@Johnsom33: I am sure United would have asked for money and would have said no to money + player, otherwise there is no reason for them not to offer him.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:57
I think whole point is being missed here!!
First of all they wont pay $132mn in one year they will pay this in installments mebbe 4-5 years!!!!
Secondly they wd recover this amt even before they pay this amt……!
For me this is a blow and i wd be surprised if we can buy what rumors are abt ribery benzema and valencia all three!!!!!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:00
gourcruff..! the next Zizou!.. Please FERGIE go for him..
June 11th, 2009 at 12:01
@Merlinus: Er he has just signed for Bordeaux.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:03
Also no more Argies, so no Agüero we need to dip our rods into different ponds, players that know the club, the Premiership and the rain in Manchester.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:05
To ALL YOU BOLLOCKS-ERS, told you sooooooooooooo
. Nani is also leaving, as I also told you. Sporting Lisbon want him back, but Nani’s agent says the lad wants to go to Italy, not back to Lisbon. I understood Nani was also going to Spain, according to the info from the United players wife I told you about, but he is GOING! 
.
According to reports coming out of the Tevez camp, SAF has personally phoned Tevez to ask him to stay, but his people say, that having mistreated someone for a year, you cannot make it up in a phone call. They said Man Pity are only one option, and Tevez could just as likely go to Looserpool or Chelski. Don’t bollocks the messenger again please, I am only telling you what is reported from the Tevez camp
.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:06
This could be good business for us. You see, scoring 42 goals is a whopping achievement to prove you are an excellent goal scorer.But for me the season before he was the better player. Like you say as well too many top players in our side were being made to play out of position to allow him to do well and I don’t think that is a good thing for the club. Him going and us buying a few top players will imo make us a stronger team. It might not work next year but in the long run it is a good piece of business for us. At the CL final, when we have players at better positions than Ronnie, he didn’t pass instead he want to grab the headlines. And that my friend is bad for the team. The way he reacted after being subbed against Man City was appalling as well, he was more worried about being top goal scorer than helping the club. You don’t think Fergie wanted him to finish top scorer? But he knew his priority had to be to keep him as fit and fresh as possible for the CL final.
All I’m saying is that all these money being thrown here and there, Man Utd cant refuse. With the debt at our club and him wanting to go, we will eventually sell. So why not sell when his value is still up there in the skies. I just hope Ronnie appreciates what MUFC has done for him, for grooming him to be the best fucking player in the planet.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:09
We have reached the moment of truth in regards to the glazers and the debt. Will they let fergie use the £80m plus the £20 odd million already allocated this summer?
June 11th, 2009 at 12:09
Ha La Madrid.. Rise of the GALACTICOS-II.. Andershow next season @ UNITED!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:11
@Stephen: Aguero is a self-confessed United fan. Don’t think he would come here and sulk about the weather, he would love to play for us!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:13
I want ribery but I don’t want our pants to be pulled down over the deal. If we can get him for £40-£45 tops then cool. Otherwise let’s look elsewhere. We should also bid for villa or benzema. No matter who we go after, I expect 2 world class players coming in plus a 3rd player like Valencia.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:14
@antsBoy: So was Tevez.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:14
Do you guys think there is a player or two included in the deal as well? They haven’t let out anything yet, but who knows – it says “unconditional” as of now, there could well be someone coming this way. Huntelaar or Sneijder anyone?
June 11th, 2009 at 12:17
@antsBoy: Still Argentines have been not so good for the club… especially if u consider that even tevez was a united fan and turned up in a untited shirt in an interview back in argentina ( for which he was fine )… i agree with Stephen about argentines…
June 11th, 2009 at 12:17
@Stephen: I share your concerns, I’m a little worried that we didn’t sign anybody before we sold ronaldo. Now the whole world knows we have money and are desperate to spend it. The smart thing would be to deny it and already have the deals lined up. Knowing us I doubt we will pay fair price to any reasonably good target.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:18
I’d take Sneijder off Real’s. they need to offload someone to accomodate Kaks and Rons.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:18
@antsBoy: Doesn’t seem to be the case… If it would have been… It would have been out… may be lets wait for the complete news..
June 11th, 2009 at 12:19
@despicable: agureo is far better than tevez, and you all know how much I love tevez.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:20
@john freakin’ o’shea: How about Diarra,(Not Lassana, but Mohhamadau)…
June 11th, 2009 at 12:20
@Stephen: Not due to the weather, but due to being benched. Aguero already knows the current striker situation at the club, that he might have to sit out a few games. So it’s not like he’s not gonna get shocked or disappointed (ala Tevez).
For me the most troubling situation is this – we all know we need a striker. Fergie does as well. But with the World Cup looming next year, who do you think would prefer to come and not be on the teamsheet week-in week-out? I can’t think of names to be honest. And therein lies our problem. It’s not about the money we dish out, it’s about getting the right person with the right attitude as well.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:20
Also I can never remember Augero comming out saying he was a United fan?
@Johnsom33: Even if we pay over £16m which we will for Valencia it is too much money, I am not a fan of his and belive we have a decent prospect in Nani already.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:21
@despicable: Nah.. I think he’s past it. I wouldn’t mind Sneijder, VdV or Huntelaar.(I’m sounding like a muppet
)
June 11th, 2009 at 12:22
From BBC
1002 BST: Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo – who seems certain to join Real Madrid after United accepted an £80m bid – had reportedly secured a deal with Real that guaranteed the Spanish club would pay him £20m in compensation if a deal to bring him to the Bernabeu did not go through by 30 June. (Press Association)
If true,what a WANKER.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:22
@Stephen: I would not pay 16 mil for Valencia. He is a 10 million-ish player at best.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:24
@antsBoy: He has never said he wants to sign for us, Tevez has probably put him off the idea, as has Maradona who told Carlos to leave and it is unlikly he will accept sitting on the bench, so personally it is a total no go area.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:24
@Johnsom33: The honest answer is NO. SAF will never get that much to spend. I don’t think United should move quickly at all and buy in haste. Others times when we have dallied yes, but this time Nooooooooooooooo, we need to SIT DOWN AND THINK. We got too much junk on our hands already!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:24
@john freakin’ o’shea: Spot on, I simply do not see the point.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:25
@john freakin’ o’shea: Ya i agree and i doubt that united would have put that larger bid, Then why isn’t it gone forward??
June 11th, 2009 at 12:27
@john freakin’ o’shea: I wouldn’t sign him at all
. Palacios was the player United should have got from Wigan. Spurs got a fucking bargain of a deal there.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:27
@Craig Mc: We certainly missed a trick there mate.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:30
To be honest. I am wanking at the prospect of having De Rossi, Benzema and ribery at United.
Though it may not happen, I expect to see atleast one world class player arriving at OT. We need a replacement and it will happen, we need to be in shape to compete with everyone.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:31
Teddy Sheringham reckons United should buy Noble from West Ham for 8-10 million. He reckons he is a fantastic MF with great skill on the ball, and reckons he is a UNITED player. He says this lad would be the real deal for United. Anybody seen much of this so called genious of a player?
June 11th, 2009 at 12:34
@Craig Mc: He is 22 and playing for England under 21’s, think we can do better than that mate.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:37
@Craig Mc: How is that the honest answer? It may be your honest opinion, But the truth is no ones what the glazers will do. That’s why I said it’s the moment of truth all the BS and speculation gets pushed to the side. We will now know if the debt really is crippling us in the transfer market or if fergie really was satisfied with his team.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:38
@john freakin’ o’shea: If we got those 3 this summer, I would be over the moon.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:39
Ljajic to be the next number 7.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:40
@john freakin’ o’shea: Lets see him play first and not get too carried away, also he won’t be with us until Jan mate.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:49
High five to the person who mentioned Keirrison.
Me and a mate drew up a list of ready made replacements with thier pros and cons and then drew up a list of future stars with their potential to grow into that role.
Ready Made Replacements -
Ribery – Very good, but very expensive, probably the most direct replacement for Ronaldo as he can play almost anywhere as long as its an attacking position (much like Ronaldo)
Benzema – Incredibly talented young striker. Unfortunately he’s a striker and we already have them, he won’t be nearly as expensive as in the past as he didn’t have the best of seasons last year (well none of the Lyon team did to be fair). He’s also notoriously stroppy just like Mr Ronaldo himself.
Silva – He’s a talented Winger, but his he really of Ronaldo’s class? Would probably prefer Liverpool anyway.
Villa – Again, a striker, although he can play on the right wing, or just behind in the hole. Wouldn’t be massively expensive but it looks like Real have already turned his head towards the Bernabau.
Robben – despite the receeding hairline, he is still only in his mid-20s. He could be tempted back to England, having previously played here, and with Ronaldo almost certainly taking his place on the pitch. Unfortunately it’ll be costly and the blokes injury prone.
Okay, so up and coming talents that have the opportunity to grow into the role of Ronaldo’s replacement.
Valencia – Is he really that good? He must be pretty great if both Real and United are looking at him, but despite being at a small club i’m yet to see him really shine in a “big fish, small pond” sort of way.
Pato – Probably a non-starter due to his love of Ancelotti and Chelsea considering splashing the cash in order to reduce the average age of their squad. He’s also a striker, not a winger.
Sergio Arguero – One of the best young players in the world, with more than enough potential to reach and possibly exceed Ronaldo’s ability. Unfortunately he’ll cost a good portion of that £80m and he’s not strictly a right winger.
South American talent worth a gamble on?
Hernanes – one of the best players in South America right now, an all action midfielder who can score goals, tackle, has an incredible engine. Think Anderson, but only with the ability to score! Although I wouldn’t recommend him as a direct replacement I definitely would suggest investing in him for the future, he could become a big big star.
Keirrison – Like somebody already mentioned this guy is damn good! A quality striker with the nous to play in most attacking positions. He’ll eventually move to Europe and end up becoming a big talent.
Diego Souza – Another of Palmeiras’ attacking talents. The guy has already had a taste of Europe, moving to Benfica briefly but he was too young and he went back to South America to continue developing. He has the potential and the skill to become a free scoring central midfielder for any major European side.
Of course we shouldn’t forget the talent we already have in the young Serb Adem Ljajic. I’m not saying he’s the next Ronaldo, but as attacking players go he has all the attributes to go on to big things at United.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:52
Keirrison, FM legend. Would be a gamble if we go for him. Before we accepted the bid, I thought we will only sign a solid CM and a rotation winger. Now we need a CM ala De Rossi, A backup winger and a worldclass winger.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:55
The name just came to my head…… How about…
Mikel Arteta: The man is proven BPL player. Great in CM as well as CDM role. Fantastic FREE Kick. Great crossing if played on the right wing. What’s more given everton’s financial situation of Everton he may cost relatively cheaper.
TIM CAHILL: Do I need to say anything. One of the best CM in BPL.
Ashley young: If possible. Because at some stage he would want to play CL football. Which villa can’t provide. Great at both wings.
Flamini: Already discussed.
I know I haven’t included any striker in this list. But given that in 4-6 formation Cahill could score so many goals for everton I think he can be more than useful as a backup striker.
Secondly I know this team may not earn lot in CL but I am dam sure this team will have a fare crack at BPL and I would be happy with that for a season or two.
What you say?? Anyone else other than those big money signing. Surprise may be???
Midfield may look like:
Arteta/ Nani Flamini/ Arteta/ Fletcher Carrick/ Cahill/ Ando Young/ Tosic
Rooney/ Cahill Berba/ Macheda/ Welback
I know not the one to be afraid of…. But solid and effective in my view.
And of them together may cost you in the range of 40 to 50 mn in total (max)
June 11th, 2009 at 13:00
I admit that the young South American players are a gamble and I definitely wouldn’t advocate buying them as direct replacements, but they’re all perfectly good players for the future who could go on to replace Ronaldo in a couple of years
June 11th, 2009 at 13:00
Dammit why did I check my phone in the middle of the night? I’ve been up for a hour and a half, and it’s already 5am…
June 11th, 2009 at 13:03
NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 13:09
@Nick: ‘Silva – He’s a talented Winger, but his he really of Ronaldo’s class?’ Lol not one of the players on that list is of ronaldo’s class. We need ribery, he’s the closest we’ll get to an able replacement. I would also love aguero but i just don’t see him leaving atletico even if we made an acceptable offer.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:11
@tevez: Silva is not for sale according to Valencia. Ribery will have a juggernaut of a price. Let’s face it to anyone who will replace Ronny will have an immense pressure to deliver. Ronny is just a huge boot to fill.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:12
About effing time
Good bye ronaldo and thanks for giving a new target to us
real madrid in champion leage next year hope we meet and kill you
fergie will spend nicely and wisely full trust on him so sit back and let the red nosed wiseman work his magic
I’m personally not expecting big changes in the side but i sure want some sort of re build
out with the old and bring in the new as man utd here we go
June 11th, 2009 at 13:14
@tevez: you’re right mate, stilly thing for me to say really, of course there’s nobody in the world of Ronaldo’s quality (except for Messi, but he’s not leaving Barcelona… ever!), but what i meant was that of all the players i listed he’s probably not the best option.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:24
@Stephen: Oh right Bro, I didn’t really know who Noble was, it was just Teddy Sherri going on about him
.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:25
@john freakin’ o’shea: I actually thought valencia were allowing both silva and villa to leave. Silva doesn’t want to leave spain anyway and if he was to be convinced it will be by liverpool, not us. Silva aint happening.
Pay over the odds for ribery, i say. The only three players we could bring in where i don’t see the team suffering too much would be ribery, arshavin or aguero to play there even though he is really a striker. Too late for arshavin and aguero seems too unlikely.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:25
Would you guys sing Viva Ronaldo when Real travel to OT?
June 11th, 2009 at 13:28
@tevez: I will just never pay a penny more than 45 mil to get Ribery. First he aint on Ronnie’s league, 2nd he is on the mid of his prime(around 25 or 26). I’d say leave it all to Fergie.
to you Sir Alex, you have one heck of a job.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:29
@Nick: I still rate silva very highly myself, think he’s a quality player just not quite ribery or aguero and not ronaldo. I see what you meant though.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:35
@john freakin’ o’shea: I can see bayern wanting more than 45 million, but yes he’s not in ronaldo’s league. Less than 60 million, i’d rate him just about on par with kaka. I reckon madrid should have bid for gerrard instead, they could have got him for less and he’s a better player than kaka in my opinion.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:38
@tevez: Yeah I agree with you, Silva is a quality player, but we’re talking about players of extraordinary talent and ability. Like you say, he’s not in the same league as players like Ronaldo.
All arrows seem to point to Ribery, but the price tag will be preposterous!
June 11th, 2009 at 13:39
I think this move was agreed between Fergie and Ronaldo last summer, when Fergie went down to Portugal to see him. I personally felt it all season long that Ronaldo wasn’t fully present at United. As great a talent as he was, I hope that now the team will start playing more like, well, a team in offense. Ronaldo’s absence may actually turn out to be beneficial for United.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:51
@Gabriel:
, I told you bro it was happening. I told you beginning of the season 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:54
Like Roy Keane, there is no like replacement, and there is no like replacement for Ronnie. So you should all stop thinking about replacing them, and think more about getting class players and getting a different system
.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:56
@zhoro: Of course it was, but the Bollocks merchants on this blog will NEVER believe that
.
June 11th, 2009 at 13:58
@john freakin’ o’shea: Is that a feckin joke mate?
June 11th, 2009 at 14:00
@Craig Mc: It was soooooo obvious, there have been people on here saying “he loves the club” “what more can he do, to prove that” blah blah, he always wanted to leave, Fergie ask him to give it one more season, and that’s that.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:01
@Craig Mc: I hardly sang when he still played for us
June 11th, 2009 at 14:05
@zhoro: I think the prospect of being one of the new galacticos rejuvinated his desire to move. To be fair to him performance-wise, his end to the season was fantastic and nothing appeared to be out of sorts.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:08
@Stephen: Plus, I told you all beginning of season that he was leaving this summer, together with Nani, as I had inside info from a players Missus, but the bollocks-ers, all bolloxed it off
. Apparently Sporting Lisbon have visited OT in the last 2 days, to offer us a swop deal for Moutinho, but Nani said he wants to go to Italy. Mourinho was after Nani a few months ago, so don’t know if that is the club in Italy he is talking about! Wouldn’t surprise me if Andie isn’t the next one wanting out, but nobody wants him – awwwww 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:12
@Stephen:
, I know. I don’t know what prompted John O’sheasy to ask that question 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:16
@Craig Mc: You need to fill the voids left by these players. We need a top quality winger in to replace ronaldo. I say ribery, he is closest to ronaldo in terms of quality, not style. Yes, there is nobody out there who is a clone of ronaldo and his style of play, but get in a top winger with his own qualities and the team will adapt.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:17
@Craig Mc: You got lucky with the ronaldo prediction
June 11th, 2009 at 14:21
Craig Mc I suspected such a agreement last summer when the whole saga drew to a close and Ronaldo reluctantly agreed to stay on, but what really confirmed it for me was a recent press conference, when Ronaldo was again asked about moving to Madrid and he just shrugged, looked at Fergie as if at an accomplice and said something like “They always ask the same question”.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:24
tevez Yes, he played well in the closing stages of the season, but he still played quite selfishly on many occasions, shooting when he should have passed, for example. And I hope his end-of-season rejuvenation was not fueled by the excitement of moving to Madrid.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:24
A little sad. But very, very happy!
Thank God this saga came to an end, it was getting discusting. As I said in a comment in the previous post there were many reasons why I wanted Rooney to leave. Now onto next season, we will have over £100 million to spend on transfers. 80 of those from Ronaldo, and the extre £20 mill we have each summer.
My targets!
Goalkeepers: Neuer, Akinfeev
Defense: Maicon, Glen Johnson, Lahm
Midfield: De Rossi, Essien, Cambiasso, Sneijder, Van Der Vaart, Xavi
Wingers: Ashley Young, Valencia, Silva, Ribery
Strikers: Benzema, Villa, Aguero, Hunterlaar, Etoo
Some of these players are hugely unrealistic! I know that, but remember that in Spain there are buy-out clauses. Aguero would gladly join us, he has a buy-out clause of £43 million. Villas buy-out clause is £65 million. I think Fergie will give a fuck all in his statement that there wont be a lot of changes this summer, because THIS IS HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!! We lost our best player, we got lots of money and we do need players to fill in! Heck, I felt we should have gone for at least 3 of those players even if Ronny stayed, but that wont happen now. SO go out and buy players, cause we realy need them!
Dream team:
Akinfeev
Maicon Rio Vidic Evra
Young De Rossi Carrick Valencia
Rooney Benzema/Aguero
subs: Foster, Brown, Rafael, Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov
This is not only the team I want us to have, but the team I believe we may use next season. We dont need Ronaldo, cause now Rooney will be the playmaker and the engine room. DO IT WAYNE!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 14:25
@Craig Mc: I WANT HIM!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 14:31
@zhoro: Ronaldo has always played selfishly. That never changed last season and it won’t change at real madrid.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:34
@RedDevilEddy: Why is valencia in your dream team when you have targeted those other superior wingers?
June 11th, 2009 at 14:34
tevez Exactly, that’s why I said that the team could actually benefit from him leaving, because to me a great team display always trumps a great individual display. All too often, and individual aiming for the latter comes at the expense of the former.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:34
We need to do some serious business with this money, not a 10 piss poor £10mil youngsters.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:35
Massive relief now that the “will he won’t he” saga is over… we’ve got a bloody interesting summer on our hands. New speculation to look forward to.. hankering over which players to buy is always an exciting time. I love transfer season when it doesn’t involve Ronaldo.
The flip side is we’re half screwed already. No direct replacement anywhere.. and now everyone knows we are sitting on a truckload of quids. Every potential target’s face value would be tripled at even a ManUtd fan walking into the stadium, never mind scouts/negotiation teams.
I would advocate Nani to play right wing in Ronaldo’s position (at least this one season), and hold off Valencia like buys. Heck, if it comes to it, I’d play Rafael in RW rather than buy a grossly overrated player for a King’s ransom.
Better to use money wisely, by which I mean get someone like David Villa or Gourcuff (sadly he is not an option for at least one year) or Huntelaar. Villa is hard to get, but why not try. He is a fantastic player. Aguero has probably been told to sit quietly by Maradona a hundred times by this time, and so has every other player in Argentina.
Huntelaar I would love to come to OT, and I know he divides opinions here (dutch league and reserve team comparisons flood us at the mention of his name).
Benzema, the slut, is the player touted as the highest probability to come to OT this summer. No doubt he’s a good payer… but..er.. he’s a slut who will want to ‘play in white’ and ‘enjoy the sun’ within a couple of seasons.
Midfield is where we need most of our action, and I’m at a loss of options there. Maybe it’s just that I’m not arsed today. Ronaldo’s void (the goals and the brilliance, not the pouting and complaining) preoccupies me.
Rooney now is our main weapon, and he must be brought to the SS role rather than flogged our wide left. Do that, and make a canny transfer move or two, and Fergie would again have a team that we can be proud of.
I for one will also be very interested to see who gets the No.7 shirt.
I’ve got more to rant, n will be back soon.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:43
@Craig Mc: Man have you caught on to the Bollocks thing!! I hope I’m excluded from the ‘bollocks target list’!
June 11th, 2009 at 14:48
Ronnie great, great player, but who agrees that he is probably the most unfit, ( character wise ) wearer of the United No7 shirt? I acknowledge he is a great player indeed, but is he a United legend? I don’t think so. I never did think so. Somehow great as Ronnie is, he will not be remembered as one of United’s legends. Maybe some of you disagree?
June 11th, 2009 at 14:50
@Rahul: I don’t recall you bollocks-ing or rubbishing anything people tried to share on here Bro. So rest easy
.
June 11th, 2009 at 14:51
@tevez: which is why I think it will be a huge bust. How will he react to sharing the limelight with Kaka? What if he doesn’t get the free kicks? I really hope he breaks his leg on the 1st day of the season. Madrid still have no defense so I can’t see them winning the league or CL next season. Interesting that the whole Barca team cost less than Kaka
June 11th, 2009 at 14:53
IMO Barca showed Fergie how to play great football in the final and Fergie will try and amend the team to play in a more team oriented system
June 11th, 2009 at 14:56
@Craig Mc: Ronaldo is not a legend. A great for the club, yes, but not a legend.
I think that our new signing will get the number 7 shirt. What do you think? Cause there is no doubt we will sign one brilliant player this summer, and I believe it will smash Berbas record!
June 11th, 2009 at 14:57
@tevez: Like I said, my dream team was involved with realistic signings. I believe that we will get Valencia, so thats why. If not, Silva would be a must!
June 11th, 2009 at 14:57
@tevez: No mate it wasn’t luck, my buddies GF is best friends of one of United’s 1st team players. The info that Ronnie was definately going to Spain this summer was known among the United players. That’s how I found out, so had nothing to so with luck mate. I have been telling you ALL BLOODY SEASON, that Ronnie was going!
June 11th, 2009 at 14:58
Rahul And to think that some people complain of boredom in the off-season, huh?
To your point of other team’s taking advantage of United when negotiating for players: why can’t they institute a system where anonymous bids are possible, as in art auctions?
Also, Ronnie’s move probably means the end of Ruud’s Madrid careeer. Where will he end up?
June 11th, 2009 at 15:00
@Liam: The leg break is a bit harsh Liam Bro! Surely the lad has given us enough great football for us not to hate on him
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:02
@RedDevilEddy: You can only be a legend if you love United. Beckham loves United still, and is thus a legend. Same goes for Cantona and Best.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:02
@zhoro: There will NEVER be a system of anonymous bidding for players mate, because the PRESS & TV have to make a living
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:03
@zhoro: Spurs or Fulham if reports are anything to go by.
Benzema and Ribery now! French revolution please!
June 11th, 2009 at 15:03
@Traverse: Very true Trav
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:05
@Liam:
Mate dont u think wishing an injury in a player, any player leave alone our most pivotal one in the last 3 seasons , is a tad too harsh?
I for one wish him well (Except when he’s playing against us of course)
June 11th, 2009 at 15:06
@zhoro: You can’t underestimate individual brilliance. That’s what really wins you games.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:06
80 million pounds?…LOL
When will RM ever learn?
It may be over used and abused, but I’ll say it anyway-
At Manchester United FC no one player is bigger than the club.
No player is irreplaceable even if you were once “the best player in the world.”
In the near future you can bet your Spanish as* Manchester United will produce another world class player. And United’s regular clients, and admirers I might add, from Madrid will surely come beating on Old Trafford’s door.
80 million pounds for someone who wants to leave the club? Now that’s not bad at all.
Muchas gracias. Agradable hacer negocios con usted.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:08
Im gonna do a Steven Gerrard and say:
“I WISH REAL MADRID WOULD DIE!”
June 11th, 2009 at 15:09
@hardredded: Didnt get shit of what you wrote in the end there…
June 11th, 2009 at 15:10
@RedDevilEddy: Oh I do realise you want Andi Eddy
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:13
@Liam: Villa is off to madrid too, but both he and kaka are second fiddle to ronaldo. He is the big signing, no doubt. Anyway, ronaldo reacts well to adversity and sharing the limelight would motivate him to do better.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:15
@Craig Mc: She made it up. Pure luck.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:15
OMG! just watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZoHBlsMe5I
June 11th, 2009 at 15:19
@zhoro: Why would ronaldo’s move mean the end of ruud’s career they play in different positions. David villa’s arrival would be a different story though..
June 11th, 2009 at 15:20
@tevez: I agree with you mate. All I am saying, is that we should have a real think about things, and not just buy a player because he is a big name, because he may very well not fit into our system. Sure Fergie has been thinking about this since end of season.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:21
Just woke up and I have one thing to say:
Rooney, better than Ronaldo
June 11th, 2009 at 15:23
@tevez Absolutely, mate! But individual brilliance subordinated to team spirit is the ultimate winner. Look at Barca and how their individually brilliant players combined. That’s why I am happy the boy Rooney, for example, is staying at United, rather than Ronaldo. Maybe Ronaldo will mature with time and the need to impose himself on the attention of people with subside and then he can truly be a great, but for now I know who I prefer on my team.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:25
@tevez This was a speculation based purely on their interpersonal history, mate. They are not best buddies, are they?
June 11th, 2009 at 15:26
@Andrei: Bull.. Ronaldo better than rooney..
Also this man is.. –> watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ogMVLShjk&feature=related
June 11th, 2009 at 15:27
@Andrei:
June 11th, 2009 at 15:27
@tevez: You like talking shite don’t you
. Made it up my arse! 
. As the few perceptive bloggers on here have observed, this deal was agreed last summer. That’s why the United players knew about it 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:29
With sir alexs experience i’m sure that he already has a done deal. It seems too stupid to let Ronnie go when he knows there will be tabloids.. I recon he already has a done deal with Ribery for about 40 mils. Maybe he´s also clear with a trade deal that will involve Huntelaar. This will be intresting..
June 11th, 2009 at 15:30
@Merlinus: We’ll NEVER really know mate who was the best between Ronnie and Rooney, because Rooney didn’t play regularly in his best position. Although, I am in the Ronnie best camp
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:32
@Craig Mc: viva ronaldo! viva Ronaldo’s CLONE –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yObIYDOv1Qc&NR=1
June 11th, 2009 at 15:33
@Merlinus: Ibra wasn’t shit against United. Big game bottler.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:34
@Andrei: You need to go back to sleep and stop dreaming
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:34
@Traverse: I completly agree, he is the most overrated piece of shit playing football today.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:35
@zhoro: I would take ronaldo in my team over rooney just now. Mind you it would be fair to give rooney a full season up front with a strike partner wouldn’t it?
June 11th, 2009 at 15:36
@Merlinus: Is that a one off great goal though mate?
June 11th, 2009 at 15:38
SAF wouldn’t sell Real Madrid a VIRUS
, so does this mean that Ronaldo is LESS than a virus in SAF’s estimation 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:39
I have read many comments about Ronaldo’s Madrid move, and they have all been very different. If he had moved last season I would have missed him and I think Fergie would have as well. But now I think both I and Fergie have realised that the best option is to sell Ronalo. Many of you say he is not replaceble, but he is. He has scored many goals and he have carried the team (at least in the offense), but he is absolutely not the only one who can do that. We have Rooney, who can score, play winger and he works a hundred times more than Ronaldo. When Rooney fights for the ball, tackles and makes 50 m runs to help the defense, Ronaldo stands in the other team’s box, wawing with his armes, shouting at his teammates and expect everyone to take the ball, pass it to him, so he can score and take the glory. That maybe works in Real Madrid, but it’s not the spirit of United. And that’s what Fergie has realised. He’s the one who has build that spirit, and now he is close to let it go. He can not do that. Then we would be like those teams (no names) where the offensiv players don’t work and then you don’t win. Fergie nows that and therefor he sells Ronaldo. Berbatov will pobably have a greater inpact when Ronaldo is gone and I think Tevez sees a oppertunity now aswell. But we need someone who can score and make something on his own, but he works aswell and I think Ribery would be the perfect player. It seems to be panic in the United camp, but don’t worry, Fergie has everything under control. // I’m sorry that my English isn’t that good, but I hope you understand anyway
June 11th, 2009 at 15:39
@zhoro: Was there ever anything that confirmed ruud and ronaldo had their differences and that contributed to ruud leaving or was it just speculation?
June 11th, 2009 at 15:39
@tevez: At least Rooney wants to play for us.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:40
For you fans of Special1 TV here’s something from Ronnie Puppet’s Twitter:
80 million quid
I am cash cow
I bring my abs
To the Bernabeu.
I’ll miss the snorkel and mask on Puppet Ronnie…
June 11th, 2009 at 15:40
@tevez: The fact that Ronaldo left the training ground crying because Ruud called CQ his father, just after Ronaldo’s father died.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:41
@tevez: It was truth, not that you’d believe it though – you’ll say it was just pure luck
.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:43
@Craig Mc SAF said he wouldn’t sell them a virus, which just makes him a nice person who doesn’t want to hurt others. He didn’t say he wouldn’t sell them Ronaldo, though.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:43
@Craig Mc: Craig me boy…. Is Groggy alive?
June 11th, 2009 at 15:43
@Traverse: Ibra was shit against united?
how many times did your heart stop beating? he hit the post twice 
He’s not half that bad if barca want him in place of a 30 goal scorer samuel eto!
June 11th, 2009 at 15:44
@Merlinus: Put your cock away, he was clownshoes.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:45
@Craig Mc: one off goal? Craig me man! thank you for asking! –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yObIYDOv1Qc&NR=1
June 11th, 2009 at 15:47
@Merlinus: Whats the point of going on about him, we are not going to sign him, he is an overrated, prancing moody ponce.
June 11th, 2009 at 15:48
@Craig Mc: Aye, i’m prone to talking shite often mate. Talking about new signings not adapting to our system, I’m sure fergie would have been thinking about it long before the end of the season if he knew ronaldo was leaving
June 11th, 2009 at 15:51
@tevez Perhaps that’s why there was a bid placed for Ribery and then for Valencia?
June 11th, 2009 at 15:58
Boys look on the brightside is will be superb when we win the Champions league in Madrid next season
June 11th, 2009 at 16:00
Ronaldo is a 8===>
June 11th, 2009 at 16:01
@tevez: He knew he was leaving last summer mate, so he has had PLENTY of time to be looking around
. You are far from alone in the talking shite club mate, I think it is common amongst all football fans everywhere 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:02
I wish Ronaldo would 8==>-
in Perez face… 
June 11th, 2009 at 16:05
@Merlinus: I was talking about the other player video you showed! I was asking if that particular player scored that kind of goal OFTEN, or whether it was just a ONE OFF
.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:09
@Merlinus: Surprisingly I think Abrahimovich is not half as bad as some fans on here think. But is his best behind him now mate? I heard that Barca have almost got a deal signing him!
June 11th, 2009 at 16:10
You guys know what makes me happy? The thought that we now can buy ANY player in the world we want. There is no limit in the money we can spend, we are fucking rich!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 16:11
@Darth Red Diablo: He may have fainted and not come around yet from news of Ronnie’s leaving
.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:12
@RedDevilEddy: We are £700m in debt.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:12
@RedDevilEddy: I wouldn’t count on that
.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:15
@Stephen: & @Craig Mc: Oh well, its nice to dream at least…
June 11th, 2009 at 16:16
@RedDevilEddy:
June 11th, 2009 at 16:18
@johan: Tevez is gone too mate! Sorry to disillusion you.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:23
So glad I am self employed at times like this
. I will have to work over the weekend now though, to keep up 
. Pissing time away on this blog, will not please the missus 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:24
@Craig Mc: I hope he is leaving, there were rumours he got a phone call from Fergie this morning saying he should stay…
June 11th, 2009 at 16:25
@Craig Mc: You do that, while I have been spening time on this blog instead of practising for my English oral final exam tomorrow. Shit, Im nervous!
June 11th, 2009 at 16:26
Thats it guys, gotta practise! See you tomorrow, hopefully with top grade!
June 11th, 2009 at 16:30
Yep, I knew that SAF was waiting on the final decision regarding Ronaldo.
I have mixed feelings on Ronaldo leaving. I am a bit sad to see him go, but also happy because I became quite fed up with his shit (he’s still a great player though). I am optimistic because SAF is now forced to re-assess him tactical strategy, but am also a bit anxious because it might not be what I expect it to be. Thing is thoug, with Ronaldo and Tevez both leaving, you can bet your arse that Nani is not far off, which leaves Anderson also suspect now to go (that is the bit that I’m really sad of). Now, many might feel that it does not matter if these players leave, but the problem comes in the message it gives off to Latino players. I doubt any will really ‘want’ to play here as we have had NO luck with them. This leads me to speculate that we will need to get accoustomed to our Italian style of play.
£80 for a player is good business for any club (especially in the current world financial situation). We’d be stupid not to take it. But, it can potentially hurt our team.
I doubt any high-profile “world-class” players will arrive this summer, because they will inevitably be compared to Ronaldo. SAF will not spend too much money on someone that might flop under the pressure. I think No.7 will go to an up-and-coming youngster (perhaps Ladjic).
June 11th, 2009 at 16:35
Big question now is ironically:
How much money will United now spend on new recruits?
This was all along the argument regarding the Tevez saga.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:38
I have to say im a bit pissed off right now. Not because ronaldo is leaving but because i think the deal could have been better. Lets get this straight, we call the shots here, if real wont please our expectations ronaldo would stay and there aint jack they can do about it. Im not disputing the money, 80 million is bloody crazy money, but i just think whats the point in having the money if you cant buy anyone.
Firstly we will be looking at paying way over priced deals for players, dont be surprised if were stupid enough to end up paying 25 million for valencia. Ribery would cost upwards of 60 million, benzema 40+.
For gods sake why didnt we take a player or two of theirs atleast. 60 million and huntelaar or sneijder or even bloody robben would have please me. Yes 80 million is good but theres not much out there and atleast if we got a top quality player from madrdi like a sneijder or hunter we would be doing ok and would still have 50 odd to spend, dunno if its just me im just a little angry about that. If they dont want to give us sneijder then fine, piss off, why did we not demand at least one of those players.
As for spending the cash as i said we will we playing way over the top for players but im honestly not sure what we will do.
We may go for a valencia, a young man who isnt world class but who hope to mould into one. If we do go down this route we definitely need a quality AM who will fill in with atleast 10 goals to try to make up for ronaldos loss and another striker capable of getting up to 20.
If however we went for a ribery or a genuine world class winger (there aint many), we could do without the AM and go for my personal choice, a real DM enforcer someone along the lines of a yaya toure, flamini or de rossi. We have the money so we could afford to splash the cash to get 1 of these 3. Then depending on what was left maybe a striker would be needed but if im honest i would be happy with yaya and ribery and maybe a cheapie striker, the russian pobregnak (cant spell him) would be a decent shout.
My point anyway is there are a lack of world class wingers, should we get 1 happy days, if not tho we would need a AM who scores and a real world class striker, i just hope we dont end up just going for valencia and tevez which im sorry would just be so bloody poor i would bet we would miss out on the top 4, really hope we get a surprise real world class player coming in.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:39
Do you guys realise that if the rumours of Don Fergusoni phoning Tevez is true, it means that management actually fucked up.
Rooney > Ronaldo
June 11th, 2009 at 16:41
Im just shocked that the idiots running our team didnt have the intelligence to include sneidjer in the deal
June 11th, 2009 at 16:43
@RedDevilEddy: Is this not good practice? Just talk about Ronaldo
June 11th, 2009 at 16:45
@Dan: Or Huntelaar!
Its a disgrace, its a fucking disgrace!!! 
June 11th, 2009 at 16:45
@Matt: Ronaldo has 2 years left on his contract as far as I know, his value would’ve been less than £20m next season. It is a great deal.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:47
@Liam: I promise you, this will help me a lot. Seriously! Im talking about poverty in the world, about how countries spend their economy wrong. Lets just say that for the money spent on that one man, Ronaldo, a whole African city could have gotten money for education for countless kids and families! Its really something that will help me, although it is crazy when you think about it…
June 11th, 2009 at 16:47
Right £80mil,
ribery-£40mil
benzema/eto’o-£30mil
valencia is already coming for 17mil.
Foster
rafeal rio vidic evra
valencia/nani carrick anderson ribery/nani
————Rooney
———————benzema
Thats a good team, but we are missing that spark needed that ronaldo gave us. We need a midfield maestro.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:48
Ronaldo can 8==>-
in Perez face for all I care! 
June 11th, 2009 at 16:49
@Dan: ANDERSON!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 16:49
@Craig Mc: Well, the other player.. the other player is none other than the second coming of zidane mate.. bourdeaux are quoting 30 million for him.. i was wondering why, until i dug up on all his goals and moves that i could find.. what i found was quite SHOCKING!.. Gourcruff is a GENIUS..!
June 11th, 2009 at 16:53
Thanks for the memories, dont come crying to us when you dont win anything.
I trust our management. Lets shut these ABUs up with some excellent signings! And back it up with some excellent performances on the pitch!
We will never die!
UNITED>ronaldo
June 11th, 2009 at 16:54
@Dan: We could always bid for a madrid player separately, although i doubt we’re even looking for a central midfielder.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:54
@Merlinus: Youtube can make Carroll loke like Schmeicel…
June 11th, 2009 at 16:55
now the real question is, who gets the prestigious No7 shirt? welbeck for me.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:56
@Liam: As i said its a good deal cos they offered alot of money, but the fact they didnt even ask for another player involved in the swap just pisses me right off.
Sneijder, huntelaar, robben even bloody van der vaart would have been acceptable to be involved in the bid. The fact is having the money is nice but who is there out there say if ribery stays? Theres not much, i bet valencia ends up costing us 25 million cos every club in the world knows were good for it, so yes its a good deal but we needed a winger or a striker and theres 4 players there who will get very limited playing time we could have targetted, i would much prefer sneijder over valencia.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:57
@tevez: oh dear god, dont go into business, really.
Tell me, whats the better deal, £80mil+sneidjer, or £80mil for ronaldo, then £20mil for sneidjer
Dont strain yourself.
June 11th, 2009 at 16:59
@Dan: Ashley Young or Fletcher for me!
June 11th, 2009 at 16:59
@Matt: Sneidjer would have been bloody nice, but I doubt he would have taken nicely to being involved in a swap deal.
But what do I know.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:00
Guys, remember: For all we know United may already have signed a replacement…
June 11th, 2009 at 17:05
@RedDevilEddy: exactly, unless fergie has completely lost it, he already has a replacement lined up.
*looks at valencias stats*
June 11th, 2009 at 17:06
@RedDevilEddy: Very Very true Eddy. After all, it does make sense……..
June 11th, 2009 at 17:07
@RedDevilEddy:
but thats not the only good goal.. btw you know who gourcruff is? 
you saw what he did to JT and Essien against chelsea? your infamous, proven english brute opposition.. 
June 11th, 2009 at 17:15
@Dan: £60mil + sneijder or £80mil for ronaldo then £20mil for sneijder, i was thinking. Why the fuck would they be happy to throw in a player or two without lowering the price. Or if they were happy to give us a player on top of the £80mil, why not just try and get more money out of them. £80mil is ronaldo’s agreed value by the two clubs. Any player deals included would bring the price down. Think about it. Take as long as you need.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:15
we are looking for ronaldo’s replacement, not redrants dont worry!
June 11th, 2009 at 17:16
But its a good chance for our players to step up and take the spotlight. Nani, please show us what your made of.
Lest we forget Tosic and Ljajic. Hopefully they’ll turn out as good as our other Serb.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:25
@tevez:
hello, hes is/was our player, if madrid wanted him so much, they should accept our demands. You worst the david fucking gill!
If you cant wrap your head around this then get your head checked out.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:28
i am looking at the positive of theis transfer.we will finally see the best of wayne rooney and berbatov next season.rooney will most likely be able to play in his natural next season and he is in top for england.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:29
i am looking at the positive of this transfer.we will finally see the best of wayne rooney and berbatov next season.rooney will most likely be able to play in his natural next season and he is in top for england.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:32
@Karl: I thought it would be mate
June 11th, 2009 at 17:42
@Matt: I have been saying that all morning. Announcing this deal now is just plain stupid. United should have denied reports or make Madrid be quiet until we went out and made our signings. I am also extremely worried about the fact we didnt take anything away from madrid in the from of players. Madrid were in no position to bargain with us, we could have easily gotten Huntelaar and 60m for ronaldo. or we could have possible gotten sneijder and huntelaar.
This is another instance of us having to trust fergie. I cant imagine him selling ronaldo without already having a plan in place.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:44
@Matt: Spot on post mate.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:45
@Andrei: Well you finally got your wish, now its time to see if all that shit you have been spewing regarding rooney being better than ronaldo is true. Rooney is atleast 1 or 2 knotches below the Ronaldo and messi level.
My only thought is that I hope to God that with Ronaldo leaving, Rooney will finally raise his game to level it should be at.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:46
@Dan: No way! Please tell me you were kidding? Welbeck is about as worthy of the No.7 as I am!
June 11th, 2009 at 17:50
@Dan:
While we are on the joke, I’d say buy djemba-djemba for £90m
June 11th, 2009 at 17:52
Good riddance. I am very sad today because we are losing a truly brilliant football player but that boy’s head had gotten too large for his body and to be honest, his heart wasn’t with United anymore and therefore, we needed to exorcise that demon from our souls.
I honestly wish him well because in all honesty he did give us 6 great seasons and countless great memories. But we must all remember and try to understand that he is Portuguese and therefore, his heart and his conditioning from youth was to grow up and play for a great Portuguese outfit and then make the dream move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid, depending on the individuals preference. United cannot compete with that. It’s like Rooney going to play in Spain. Eventually his heart would tell him to sign with a big English club because as a boy you dream of playing for Everton and then possibly even a bigger name, that of course for him would have been either United or a London side because he grew up hating Liverpool.
So today is the beginning of a new era for Manchester United. We have lost our beloved and not so beloved talisman. The Thespian from Medeira, the Diva of Diving and the rich bitch.
So where do we go on from here? Prepare yourself mates for Franck Ribery. I for one believe that United and Bayern have had a gentleman’s agreement for a while now regarding the frenchman and considering that we have a very good relationship with Bayern and Real doesn’t, I can only see Barcelona having the clout to screw us on that one. And frankly, I do not think Barca wants him because they don’t need him. They seem bent on destroying what made them a great team by bringing in the human sloth, the laziest player in the game and possibly one of the top five moodiest players in IbrahimoBitch. All the power to them. If that helps us get Ribery, so be it. I know Ribery doesn’t like the weather in England but that’s just tough. We can’t always have it perfect now can we. I also really believe that Manchester United sold Ronaldo with some contingencies. They being that a hands off Ribery and Benzema policy will take effect. Real will now pursue Villa and you notice how they so easily backed off of Bayern’s not for sale response for Ribery. This was while they were negotiating for Ronaldo. This tells me that United said to them you can have Ronaldo but you leave Ribery to us. You can’t have both. If you want him, you have to sacrifice the other. Sure I could be wrong but at times like this, one has to inject some positive vibes into the situation because it truly is a dark day for Mancunia.
My darkest fear has always been that we would get 70 or 80 million for Ronaldo, and not get either Sneijder or Huntelaar in return. As well, I have always believed that that most of that money will go to the Glazer’s. I may be wrong but lets see what we buy in the next month. I have a sneaky suspicion that other than Valencia who is now ours by default, we will try to sign Benzema and that is it. Meanwhile we may lose Nani and gain Moutinho in exchange. Decent, but after just making 80 plus million on Ronaldo, there has got to be more of a plan. He needs replacing and Benzema and Valencia are not his replacement. This all goes pair shaped unless we are able to get Ribery. He is the key. Without him we finish 4th in the EPL. That’s how much of a difference Ronaldo meant to our team. So read it and weep my friends. Without Ronaldo and without Ribery, we are in dire straits and even Fergie cannot fix this one quickly enough for my liking.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:53
As some people have mentioned we must have someone in place to accept this bid, hope that player is not valencia though. Is anyone else worried that we may have lined valencia up to be the direct replacement for ronaldo, or is he just being bought for either a different position or to be a squad player. Not much sense in buying valencia and an other to replace him is there. Hope we see us really go for a top quality CM player, whether hes a enforcer like a de rossi or yaya toure, or a creative player like a fabregas (we can dream) or a moutinho we need someone in the middle. As for direct replacement to ronnie ribery is the standout choice, a little genius of a player but for some reason i cant see it happening which is a shame. I guess we should just sit back and wait, who knows what may happen and who we may end up with.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:53
To all those upset there are no Madrid players as part of the deal: I think the rumours of a long-standing agreement between the two clubs were true. 80mil was the exact amount mentioned in those rumours. So, this is just the agreement being realized, no room for negotiation.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:55
@Nino:
In recent times the No7 shirt has gone to young promising players, not current stars.
June 11th, 2009 at 17:56
@Red Ranter:
June 11th, 2009 at 17:57
@Grognard: I doubt we will get Ribery, because he cost too much. If we can get him for 45m or under then I would be over the moon. any more than that and its just too much money. I am also concerned because Bayern today have said they are interested in Bosingwa. To me that sounds like bayern are telling chelsea “offer us Bosingwa and then we can talk abotu Ribery.”
June 11th, 2009 at 17:57
@Red Ranter: £90mil ? lets buy Veron and Forlan again!
June 11th, 2009 at 17:57
With No.7 leaving OT, (I genuinely can’t bring myself to say his name) I think that it may be a blessing in disguise as Wayne should now be allowed to develop and grow into our most important player as he was destined to be! The departure of our most recent incumbent of the fabled No. 7 also means extra game time and focus on Berbatov and thus this will also help the Count step up his game next season.
In general, I believe that the departure of No. 7 is good for the team as a whole because everyone else will be forced to take more responsibility for scoring the goals that he used to score. I remember when Henry left Arsenal and the following season, players like Adebayor and Fabregas stepped up to the plate and scored lots of goals to compensate for his departure (something like 30+ and 15-odd respectively for the Togolese and the Spaniard) and I hope the likes of Rooney, Berb, Carrick, Ando etc. will score more goals as a direct consequence of the departure of No. 7.
Somehow I don’t think they’ll be arranging a bumper leaver’s do for No. 7 and getting lots of people to sign the leavers card for him as happens for most well-loved employees of an organisation!
June 11th, 2009 at 17:59
@Dan: Before Ronaldo, Beckham and Cantona wore the shirt hardly up and comming.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:01
It’s time to change the dynamic of the club. We have lost Ronaldo and this gives us a chance to revert back to playing Manchester United football. If we get Ribery things will remain the same except that Ribery is ten times the play maker and assist man Ronaldo was. If we don’t get him, then 4-4-2 must start entering our minds again. And I am going to throw a name out there that many of you may laugh at, but hear me out. Stewart Downing. Yes Stewart Fucking Downing. Sign him up on the cheap. He is a crossing machine and he has gone stale playing for a loser with no talent but his own. This lad good be reinvigorated by Fergie and by being surrounded by such great players. He would allow for us to go get a goal scorer to compliment his crossing which we have lacked for a long time. Having failed to get him, I’d even try for David Bentley. Again, not in the same universe as Ronaldo but a good set piece specialist and a great crosser of the ball. Lets go back to our Beckhamesque roots. Lets buy a midfielder or two, buy a crosser of the ball and get a striker who is good in the air and commands presence in the box. Small but practical solutions for what is now a massive problem. If we get Ribery and Valencia however, nothing needs to change except a striker added for the loss of Tevez.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:01
Quote from Liverpool last week : ‘We can outspend United’.
Are they sure?
June 11th, 2009 at 18:02
@Grognard: This is one time where i agree with your doom and gloom prophecies. I just cant get excited about the money, because money doesnt win trophies, players do. at this point I have very little faith in our ability to negotiate transfer fees because of our track record of paying over the odds. The players we will buy are gonna be over inflated, thus weakening the value we got for Ronaldo.
I just hope fergie cut his vacation short, its time to work laddy!
June 11th, 2009 at 18:04
@Grognard: We have a good crosser, his name is nani.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:05
@Merlinus: I like you style. Reading only for the past few dayas and you strike me like another me! Same opinions on most subjects!
@Mr.Muhozi: Actually, technically, Benzema is better than Villa. In pure finishing skills they are approximately equivalent. Problem with Benzema is that sometimes he can drift out of games…
@despicable: I was thinking exactly the same thing. Mahamadou Diarra seems to be a forgotten quantity at Real, and Lassana Diarra has firmly established himself in his position.( Funny how all the Diarras! Even Alou Diarra of Bordeaux is one!
)
June 11th, 2009 at 18:05
@Grognard: Bentley might not be a bad shout, especially if we buy an out and out striker.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:06
@Stephen: beckham was 22, ronaldo was 18
June 11th, 2009 at 18:06
@Dan: Yeah…but Welbeck? A good youth player granted….but hardly up there with the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Fabregas et al when they were his age!
I think a very, very suitable replacement for our departed No. 7, taking age and potential into account, would be Sergio Aguero….in addition to Ribery of course! If we managed to get those two on board, even if we have to pay a bit extra out of our own pocket if the £80m doesn’t cover their combined purchase, I will be a very happy man and I believe that the team won’t skip a heartbeat.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:07
@Stephen: bentley, david bentley, id rather have downing
June 11th, 2009 at 18:07
@Stephen: Bentley as in the luxury car or Bently as in the overrated Spurs reserve player? I genuinely hope you meant the former!
June 11th, 2009 at 18:11
@Dan: I also forgot to say that the weight of expectation and pressure of wearing the No. 7 would kill a player like Welbeck, whereas our most recent incumbent had the mental fortitude, not to mention swagger and confidence, from a very early age!
June 11th, 2009 at 18:12
@Dan: He was an International mate, hardly promising more established.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:13
One more thing I must say before I go out for a bit is how disappointed i ma today in Manchester United and with Sir Alex Ferguson. All those words and claims that we would never sell Ronaldo to Madrid have gone up in smoke. Once again the dirty dollar talks and we fans must take the walk. United and Fergie have betrayed us. Not because they sold Ronaldo but because they sold him to Madrid and because they claimed he would not be sold. I smelled something with their quiet no comment demeanor over the past few weeks. No comments usually mean the rumours are true. How could they have us all believing that Ronaldo was staying for as long as Fergie was? They never denied it.
Apparently the regime change at the top of the elected hierarchy art Real Madrid was enough to change the minds of Gill and Ferguson. Or was it the Glazer’s who finally put the hammer down in their ultimate move of betrayal? I don’t know. None of us know, and that’s the problem. Those who pay all these people through our support are left out in the cold and we of course have no say in what goes on. So we have no say, I have no problem with that. But to leave us out in the cold, without letting us know the true situation just tells me the ignorance and lack of respect this organization has for it’s legion of loyal followers. I for one feel immensely disrespected today. I had faith in Fergie to solve this problem with Ronaldo yet again. But instead he caved in and turned into a hypocrite and a liar. I am upset that we are being held hostage by a family of owners who own nothing. Who are so in over their head in debt that they are slowly but surely dragging us down with Liverpool. A team that is second in the world in net revenues but who is in the red because of the Glazers. A disgrace and we all put up with it.
In the last three days Real Madrid has spent around 140 million for the best and third best players in the world. And they are not finished. Soon David Villa and others will join and before you know it, 200 million will be what the Galacticos have spent to fix their problem. In the process they have given us a major problem to fix, as if we never had problems had Ronaldo stayed. Fergie better have a master plan and some major contingencies or Grognard is going to reach new heights this season in spewing venom and hate. And that’s a promise. Right now I feel betrayed by United, not by Ronaldo. I haven’t felt this bad since my ex betrayed me.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:14
@Dan: Downing is shit, Bentley has at least quality, a bad season no doubt Downing couldn’t take on Christopher Reeve.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:14
The other problem is Fergie didnt seem to plan for this departure, He has burnt his bridges with Tevez, and he didnt develop nani at all this season. I thought the reason we bought Nani was to groom him as a ronaldo replacement? but no, he decided to play Park all fucking season.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:14
@NicoQB: wtf? I really need to double check my posts. … all Diarras are DMs i mean.
As a DM, I think that any Diarra would be better than Anderson or Hargreaves on one knee.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:15
How about a cheeky bid for Torres?
I was having a bit of banter with my Liverpool supporting housemate, who was certainly quick off the mark to rub it in regarding today’s news as you would expect, until I mentioned that the money we got would be enough to buy all of Liverpool’s best players in turn, namely Torres and Mascherano. He went quiet after that!
June 11th, 2009 at 18:17
@johnsom33: Agreed. He should have played Nani over Park who has already reached his (limited) potential. Now we’re fucked in that respect and need to go out and splash out on an established superstar like Ribery to compensate.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:19
@Nino: Ribery would be great, but he would be very expensive Bayern always drive a hard bargin as they are probably the best run club in Europe, and we have a need and money to spend, all in all not ideal.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:20
The sound of silence from Platini is deafening. 140m pounds spent on 2 players in 3 days, and they arent done yet. not a peep has come out of that slimy french bastard regarding Madrids spending..
June 11th, 2009 at 18:21
Bentley is a ponce but he has great confidence and when he was at Blackburn he took us apart and scored a hat trick against us, Ok it certainly hasn’t work out at Spurs but form is tempory and all that.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:22
Read it and weep. Sad thing is, we aren’t that far behind if we never had owners with such a massive debt weighing us down.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8094864.stm
June 11th, 2009 at 18:23
@Nino: my point was that it goes to promising players not the best players in the world!
June 11th, 2009 at 18:23
@Grognard: are you going delusional groggy?
, wow what about your boy marin?
you want downing or bentley
June 11th, 2009 at 18:25
Huntelaar, Arshavin, Ribery, Aguero, Adler, Pogrebnyak. Allnames who have at one point or another claimed that Manchester United was their favorite side or that they were ia great admirer of. Just watch how many of them ever land in OT wearing the red. Somebody at United is awfully blind or unwilling to acknowledge and reward that kind of love and allegiance. Instead we want Benzema, hard core Real Madrid supporter. NUTS!
June 11th, 2009 at 18:26
@Mr.Muhozi: id rather have valencia…
next thing you’ll hear, we should sign bent
June 11th, 2009 at 18:27
One thing I would like to know is how is the supposed £80m payment going to be structured? Is is going to be a one-off lump sum, or spread out over five years with success-dependent bonuses and clauses? If it is the latter, then we may be screwed!
June 11th, 2009 at 18:29
@Dan: Yeah but whoever takes it, he has to be a very special player indeed. I don’t think Welbeck is that special in that sense. Also its not just talent, but other factors like mental strength.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:29
@Nino: i heard its 80mil over 5 years…
June 11th, 2009 at 18:29
@Mr.Muhozi: I am trying to thinklike a small minded Manchester United executive who wants a quick and cheap fix for what ails us. Marin would cost over 20 million and he’s not even on the Gaffer’s radar. Other than Nani, we have lacked a legitimate crosser of the ball for a long time now. I am not advocating that either Downing or Bentley are direct replacements for Ronaldo. I am just saying either would help us in an area of weakness and especially the bottom feeder clubs who park the bus. We have problems against those teams because we have no strikers with box presence and a player to cross highballs into them to beat that kind of defensive setup. Makes sense to me to go after a guy like that.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:30
@Nino: I think we’ll have only accepted it as a lump for a lump..
It says an unconditional offer of £80mil on manutd.com, i’m taking that to mean upfront
June 11th, 2009 at 18:30
@Nick: I concur to your player assessments – thugh I don’t now much about the south american players except for Kun and Hernanes.
But anybody feel that the next season we will be giving free reign to some of our youths? SAF already touted Welbeck for great things and I would personally miffed if some of our lauded teen signings ar enot given a taste of premier league action.
Tosic will play more and hopefully show more than what he has up till now, and Ljajic is the really exciting one. Morrisson is 16, but Rooney broke in the Everton team at 16 didn’t he?
Personally I would prefer Nani to stay and a given a string of games to really test his mettle and Valencia being the other regular winger. Tosic and Lajaic in wthe wings as subs. Park used only when we need defensive cover.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:31
@Dan: Talk about tying our hands. We give up the best player in the world and we don’t even have 80 million to count on right now. That almost guarantees every penny goes to the Glazers. I mean 16 million a season for five years. Big whoopie!
Now we can buy Titus Bramble.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:32
How do you replace and improve on Ronaldo? Two words. RIBERY and AGUERO.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:41
Well no player is bigger than the club. MANU was there before Ronaldo was even born and will remain long after when Ronaldo will be gone. MANU created Ronaldo, he was nothing before he joined MANU. So lets keep our fingers corssed, look around in hope next Ronaldo is about to appear.
By the way Thanks to Ronnie for all that he has done for the club. But long live “”"”" MANU “”"”"
June 11th, 2009 at 18:46
@Matt: Isn’t the also the problem of players wanting to come our way. Who’s to say that either player would have agreed to join us. Hunte and Sneji aren’t emotionless pawns. They are probably excited by the opportunity to play along side Ronaldo and Kaka, and out of pure resentment at being offered as part of the sale, could have rejected us. I get that we should have at least tried, but it wasn’t a forgone conclusion
Like grog said, Ribery is the only possible solution to our impending problems. I further agree we should also get downing in, especially if Nani is on his way out as is being reported. Tosic and Park as our only options on the wing scares me to shit.
In: Downing, Ribery, Benzema,and for my liking Miguel Veloso and Glen Johnson. Out: Manucho, Campbell, Neville, Scholes, Van Der Sar, Evra (if we can find a Replacement), tevez (just don’t think he’s worth the money)
June 11th, 2009 at 18:47
@Grognard: You are right. Get both for combined 60 mill. Then buy some young players with potential for around 20 mil and keep the rest to pay debts… I fear going into administration worse than not qualifying for ECL, though the latter will likely cause the former
June 11th, 2009 at 18:47
@Grognard: Groggy my boy! Wrong again! Aren’t you?
All i know is that the gaffer will have to spend BIG!
The question is……
How much Bayern want for the Ribster?
June 11th, 2009 at 18:51
heres a thought, rafael at right wing?
June 11th, 2009 at 18:54
@Dan: Here’s a reaction to the thought……
5th place next year?
June 11th, 2009 at 18:54
@Merlinus: @Traverse: I have to agree with Merlinus here. While Ibrahimovic at times drrifted in and out of the games against us, he was also far and away Inter’s most dangeous player.
He could have scored easily, hitting the post and having other attempts nearly missing the target.
He also created for his other team mates, as shown by the fact that nearly all of inter’s attacks invovled him. His headed deflections caused great problems for our defense, escpecially when he drags back, with Ferbdinand and Vida not knowing if they should have stuck with him or remain in the zone…
So, no, just because he didnt score against us didn’t mean he was crap.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:58
Well, I finally get my wish. Ronaldo is gone and Rooney is freed up. Freed of having to play second-fiddle to Ronaldo, freed of having to play on the wing (hopefully) and ready to assist Benzema down the middle (if we do get Benzema).
The one thing that I cannot understand from United fans though, is how they can be upset that Ronaldo left? We got 80 mil for him and, tbh, our squad is not that great.
We do not have a proven right-back (yes Rafael is very promising, but I would not line hum up in the Champions League final). We do not have a decent goalkeeper (Foster is unproven, VDS is past it PIG is well, PIG). We do not have a fucking midfield (Scholes, Giggs are past it, Hargo is in limbo, Anderson and Carrick are too hot-and-cold for United – we need consistency at the highest level).
Now we also don’t have any wingers. We need two of them. One on the left and one on the right. Rooney is not a winger, we have seen nothing of Tosic, and Nani is on the out. Also Park is more of a defender than a winger.
Despite this, we have done well. Really well these past three seasons. Why? Because we have a monster back three, because we have Rooney and had Tevez and most of all because we have Ferguson. Berbatov did not hurt either.
So now what we need to do is strengthen our squad overall and fuck the impact that one player can have because it cannot be that important.
So, what to buy?
We can survive with Foster and VDS for another season, so goalkeeping is not a priority. Neither is right-back. We ‘have’ O’Shea and Neville and we have Brown and Rafael who are decent.
Midfield is a problem. Suppose that Anderson/ Carrick/ Fletcher/ Hargo (when fit) can take up one of those positions, but not more. We need a playmaker, a go-to man, another Scholes. I saw reports of Joao Moutinho in the press and it excited me. I would have also accepted Diego (Werder Bremen, now at Juventus). Other than that, I cannot thing of an
affordable, good player in that position. Gourcuff is discounted because we need a ‘track-backer’.Then, there is the big problem: wingers. Ribery and Valencia, for a combined 60 mil, would give me a 8==================>. But then, we will not have enough money for Moutinho (or alternative like Aquilani or D’Agostino) and Benzema.
If we manage to cover midfield and attack, we might be able to beat
Real MadridBarcelona in next year’s Champions League finalJune 11th, 2009 at 18:58
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha –
, for some strange reason I feel euphoric.
June 11th, 2009 at 18:59
@Darth Red Diablo: Go wank a duck. Really we are not a one-man team. Really!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:02
some of the pessimism on this site is hard to read at times, READ THE CLUB STATEMENT, RONALDO WANTED TO GO, SIMPLE AS.
All this talk about whether all the money will go for transfers or will the Glazers get it is total speculation and doom mongering.
I personally will not shed a tear at this transfer of a player whose ego had gotten too big, causing any affection that the fans had for him to be slowly extinguished.
I supported United when we were a joke of a team and will still be a supporter next season no matter who we sign, the manager has been here many times before and deserves our trust, he will not have been taken unawares by this and will be already moving to remedy the situation.
His remedy might be less than what we are hoping for, or it might be more, who knows, wait and see, but now is the time for US TO ACT LIKE REAL SUPPORTERS and not fair weather fans, United are bigger than Ronaldo and even if we sign no one to replace him, I will be supporting them next season,
Goodbye Ronaldo, thanks for the memories, you were undoubtedly one of the most talented players ever to put on the red shirt, but unfortunately your behaviour at times will prevent you from being remembered as a legend, George Best is still the greatest.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:03
whats with the obsession with benzema i dont get it, he is the same as ronaldo, will leave us for spanish club for some reason
June 11th, 2009 at 19:05
@Craig Mc: The euphoria may be from knowing that Ronaldo is in for a dose of reality at Real Madrid. If he thinks his teammatea are doing to bend over backward for him and let him have all the spotlight the way they did here, he has another thing coming.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:05
@Madschester United: Ribery will cost that £60 million by himself, probably more knowing how stubborn bayern are and how much we’re getting for ronaldo.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:06
@Matt: Once again, I concur completely! Despite the deal meant we got crazy money for a want away player(all supporters of other PL teams view it as crazy money); we’re bound to get fucked in the transfer market. I curse Bayern and Lyon. They always seem to have great targets for us but they are infamous for their sbility to milk any big team in europe when they want to buy one of their gems. We, on the other hand, are infamous for not being able to strike a bargain. You have to admire Wenger for getting Arshavin at 11 million.
…I logged on to this thread pretty late… so all the good comments have already been said!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:07
It irks me to see Madrid building a gestalt of footballing prowess our team sits on their hands and leaves everyone in limbo. I have great worries about the coming season.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:07
@Andrei: You’re Right! We’re gonna do the Treble again!
@Fred The Red: Fred the Red! That is SO true!
Glory Glory Man UNITED!
To the tune of Viva Ronaldo:
Fuck ya Ronaldo!
Fuck ya Ronaldo!
You’ll give them SHITE!
Patrice Evra is gonna fuck you on a night!
Fuck ya Ronaldo!
Fuck ya Ronaldo!
Our no. 10 is gonna fuck them all!
With Ribery he is gonna have a ball!
Fuck ya Ronaldo!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:08
@Craig Mc: I dont feel happy or sad at this news mate, I have felt a total indifference towards Ronaldo for a long time now and quite frankly I dont care if we sign Mickey Mouse to replace him, it wont stop me supporting them.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:09
@Andrei: We are almost a one-man team (going forward). Without filling the void left by ronaldo i see us finishing fourth though, not fifth.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:10
@NicoQB: If we ever sign that over rated do nothing ponce I will change my allegiances to Citeh. i.e it’s not going to happen. Italy schmitaly. He’s not very good.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:15
@Roge9: No mate, the euphoria is because I really thought I would feel a bit sad at least to see Ronnie go, but honestly Bro, I just have this great excitement to see what’s ahead
. Ronnie has to maintain the same performance at Madrid every week, and I really don’t think he will be able to do that. He has had a good few mediocre and missing performances for us. I just been listening to the Real Madrid fans, and they are very divided about Ronaldo. Many are absolutely FURIOUS that Ronnie has cost them the absolute earth, and feel screwed over by United – 
, Euphoric mate, just euphoric!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:16
@Fred The Red: I don’t think anyone here will stop supporting the team, no matter what happens, but we should care who sign to replace Ronaldo. Indifference to him is should not also translate to indifference on how best to move forward, particularly given the financially precarious position we find ourselves in. Now is the time to agressively but shrewdly pursue the targets we’ve identified. If SAF does not get in at least 2 world class players to compensate for the loss then his age will be getting the better of him and it will be time for him to leave as well
June 11th, 2009 at 19:18
Anyone knows what is to become of Special 1 tv, with all the uncertainty around setanta? Not living in the UK I dont catch their live football broadcasts but I’m a fan of their show!
@Kevinutd: If the show is still on next seasson, I see noe reason why puppet Ronnie will not be back. Even when Sven and Jose left for other shores, they still remained on the show.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:20
Ronaldo’s shot/goal stats this season:
ECL – 70 shots / 4 goals
EPL – 181 shots / 18 goals
I don’t think that’s a great return given that he’s hogged the shooting lane all season long. With him gone, others should step up to the shooting spots and I expect them to be more effective.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:23
Now that Ronaldo is gone its time to give Rooney and Berba a chance to forge a patnership up front, at least 15 to 20 games, theyre two world class players and could be formidable together.
If we can get Ribery then brilliant, if not get the precosious Douglas Costa from Gremio for the left and dont forget, Ljalic is coming on board soon and the rumours are that this kid is a bit special.
Sometimes you have to take one step back before you can take two steps forward, have patience lads, the manager has wandered this road before.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:25
@Traverse: I really think he should move on to another team to test himself against the best.
Agreed that italy is not very good nowadays but not worse than France, and ribery and essien were top players in france so why wouldn;t ibrahimovic not fare well in other leagues?
Had it not been for the need to play Rooney and Berbatov more centrally next season, I would have supoorted a move for the swede. Right now we need another confirmed stiker who would be happy to sit on the bench so I’m even unsure about Benzema. I alreay mentioned him beore : Steve Savidan…
June 11th, 2009 at 19:27
@Fred The Red: Fred… I only have one doubt… WHAT if Fergie repeats the old mistakes? Post Becks comes into mind… Heck.. Fergie isn’t going to be here for 7 years!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:28
@tevez: We aren’t going to replace Ronaldo, and that’s the point!
We didn’t replace Ruud, we changed the way we play and it worked. This time we are changing the way we play, but with a buttload of cash and a couple of the players we need to do it already at the club.
Fergie saying Nani will get more of a go next season, and the acquisition of Valencia leads me to believe we are going to move more in the direction of the mid 90’s. Two attacking all action crossing wingers.
VDS
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Hargreaves Nani
Rooney Berbatov
And that’s with £100mil still in the transfer bank.
Rafael and Fabio are going to start breaking through proper next year, but with 2 attacking wingers I think Brown will get the edge over Raf and Nev, atleast to start the season.
With Hargreaves’ status unknown, that place is up for grabs between Fletcher/Anderson/Giggs depending on who we are playing. More often or not I’d imagine Fletch to get the nod.
Since we are letting Tevez and Campbell go we will need a 3rd striker. Welbeck and Macheda not quite there yet. Benzema and Huntelaar seem to be the options. Benzema is the preferable of the two based on skill alone, but he is a sulky git and dreams of Spain. If we win 3 Premier Leagues and get to 2 Champs League Finals in the next 3 years and sell him for a mega profit, I doubt many of us will complain too hard….
Either way, I don’t think we are heading to a mega depression, and I have a sneaky suspicion that we aren’t going to spend £100million either.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:28
@Fred The Red: Ronaldo never got in the way of rooney and berbatov forging a partnership, just as ronaldo never held rooney back. Ronaldo had plenty of freedom in our team but we still played with two players up front almost always.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:29
@Andrei: @tevez: No way!
I think Ronaldo’s play caused us to become over reliant on him, just like we were in the Van nistelrooy years.
It was interesting to see that this past season, some of our best team performances came when Ronaldo was NOT included in the team! The teamwork was much better and some syoungsters showed drive that our established players lacked.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:30
@Fred The Red: Douglas Costa is quite a talent. He’s an exciting player to watch.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:31
@NicoQB: Good performance without Ronaldo…. Man Utd 4 – Arsenal 1
June 11th, 2009 at 19:33
@tevez: He did! Rooney playing opn the left? Rooney playing on the right? Berbatov draggin back to get more of the ball because his midfield were not giving him ebnoughh of the ball?
Have you been watching united lately? Oh well just as Dan said previosly, your namesake discredits your arguments!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:35
Ronaldo is going to be sorely missed, we need to sign an out and out winger and a proper striker to play alongside rooney. Berbatov is not the man to do it, if there is any chance of Benzema then United have to go for it.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:37
@Darth Red Diablo: Really? I forgot about that one!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:37
@NicoQB: Wenger got Ashravin for 11m but he got him 6 months late and arguably cost his club all the major honors!!!
What would you rather have? Spent an extra 5-6m and won the major honors or just be pretenders (and keep waiting)!!! With Ashravin Asresal could have mounted a real serious challenge this season!
I know what I’d want.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:38
Karl Heize WhaterverRuimage(Calls to Fergie): So Mr. Alex… You want him…
Fergie: Ayee.. I’m on holiday now! Talk to you in July me boy!
In July
Fergie: So me man… How much!
Ruimage: Alex.. Alex… When will you ever learn? He’s already off!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:40
I really dont want to make one of these summer ins/outs list with the stupid names (lets buy messi, xavi and iniesta) blah blah blah, but ive really been thinking about the players out there and i really do think we have a real tough summer coming up, the toughest probably since 06. Anyway this is a combination of what i would like to see and who i think will end up coming in. Ok so here goes.
Now first up not counting the 80 million how much do we have to spend, will we be given the usual 20 odd million on top of the ronaldo money or will it just be a combination of that and player sales, i dont know. For the benefit of this im gonna go with us just have the ronaldo money and sales, i cant see the glazers giving us more money which adds up to funds of over 100m imo.
Players out: Seems like campbell is gone for about 6 million, would expect a few fringe players like manucho, simpson, martin etc to go aswell and i have to say i think that will be it for players gone. That would give us about 90 million to play with. So now, players in:
Im under the opinion now our midfield is a shambles, atleast 2 midfielders are needed. Obviously a RM or a winger who some people may refer to as an attacker but whatever, and a CM. The CM position for me would depend on who we bring in, if a real world class winger came in who could score a good lot i think a DM enforcer would be needed most, if we settled for a youngster on the wing we would need a real class AM to chip in to replace the goals.
I really do pray that we sign ribers. The guy is a bloody genius, i would pay the bloody 50+ million for him if thats what it takes. I hope his friend evra has a word with him and persuades him to come. Add to him a real enforcer like a yaya toure or a flamini for 15 million and we would still have a size able chunk for a striker if we wished.
Forget benzmea, he only has eyes for madrid, he can go to hell for all i care. 25 million could get us a real striker, im not knocking berba hes a class player and deserves a chance but we would need some real goals so another striker for competition would probably be needed. The russian striker pograbnek or whatever is a good player and would cost peanuts so maybe he would be a good shout.
So anyway best case scenario:
Ribery (50m), yaya toure/flamini (15m), Striker (not sure who but with a 25m kitty who knows)
Worst case scenario:
Valencia (20+ m) tevez (anything from 20m to 30+m) and thats it.
I truly hope its the 1st option but we just dont know i guess. Wish we would have got the hunter as part of the deal but looks like theres no chance of that. Anyway i guess we will have to wait and see, i just hope we dont see the 2nd scenario happening or else 4th place may be our best bet.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:40
@Fred The Red:
, I know Fred, you have felt like you do about Ronaldo for a while.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:41
(Solemnly) I propose:
Get back RVN!
The team right nw is different from back then. We need a finisher and I think RVN really regrets leaving us. Fergie would talk to him and make it clear that he would be part of a rotation and no hissy fits would be tolerated. I would be sad to see him bag the gaols for tottenham..
June 11th, 2009 at 19:42
@tevez: Im not blaming Ronaldo for Rooney playing out wide, thats SAFs fault, what Im saying is now is the time to maximise the talents our players have, and that means Rooney playing up top with Berba, they never really had a chance to forge a strong understanding last season, they are two world class players that could rise to the occasion of being our main men now that Ronaldo has gone.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:43
Fergie to The King: Eric me boy… Fuck off to Munich and get hold of him! By God… We’re fucked if we don’t have him!
The King: Don’t worry boss! I am CANTONA! Leave it on me… And skinned sausage may help as well!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:45
@jos: Oh I completely agree with that. I was just emphasazing the how Wenger goes about business on the other side of a spectrum. I also think that Wenger was an idiot for not getting Arshavin earlier. THough its easier said after we’ve seen how poor they were this year.
And i think most people, even the Arsenal faithful didnt expected Arshavin to have that much of an impact, and even less expected their defence to vbe that much of a joke…
June 11th, 2009 at 19:47
@Darth Red Diablo: Evra did an interview about a month ago where he said he keeps telling Ribery to come to United and how brilliant United are.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:49
@Darth Red Diablo: Sorry to disappoint you but Cantona is viewed as a kind of bizarre personality in france. His aura is not 1/10th of what he enjoys in the uk and particularly manchester.
On the other hand Zidane is a god.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:51
@Traverse: We still replaced ruud with saha and the team adapted to play with his qualities. Replacing ronaldo with valencia, having valencia and nani as first choice wingers doesn’t look particularly strong, to me anyway. I am happy with rooney and berbatov up front though, and don’t see the need for a big name striker such as huntelaar or benzema. If i had to choose between the two though, i think i would prefer huntelaar because we have lost ronaldo’s ability to pop up with important goals.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:51
@Traverse: Oh no no! This time… Talking wont work! Ribery has said that he doesn’t like the weather! So UNITED have to practically drug him and force him into Manchester!
As I said… Leave it all to the KING!
June 11th, 2009 at 19:56
@NicoQB: Most of the season we played 4-4-2 with ronaldo on the right with plenty of freedom. That still gives you two up front. Rooney being played on the left and berbatov dropping too deep had nothing to do with ronaldo.
June 11th, 2009 at 19:58
@Mr.Muhozi: HERNANES signs for United!!!
Ok now I got your attention, how good is he as a DM? I know he’s a goalsdcoring CM and several online rags have been giving rave reviews about him, but we really need a DM and he’s the only (supposedly) world class central midfielder who we expect to be soon on the move…
June 11th, 2009 at 20:00
@Fred The Red: That all sounds good Fred, but I will be mightily pissed, if while taking the one step backward, Looserpool step forward and snatch our PL trophy
.
June 11th, 2009 at 20:05
@Fred The Red: I agree, rooney and berbatov should play up front together next season. Get berbatov playing higher up the pitch where he has played his whole life. Rooney is talented enough to play with any striker. As long as he has a strike partner he will perform, and find away to compliment the other player.
June 11th, 2009 at 20:07
@Matt: Some good points there Matt
.
June 11th, 2009 at 20:07
@tevez: Most of the season we did not play 4-4-2. We played mostly as a bastardised 4-3-3.
Ronaldo came to United as a midfielder. An offensive midifelder – i.e. a winger- but still part o the midfield imho. WE were still a 4-4-2 side despite being over reliant on RVN. Nowadays Ronaldo can be considered as a RF, such has been his change in tactical positioning. Similarly Roiney has dragged back more and more while Ronaldo went forward more and more. I don’t think either of them had intentions for this to happen, as Rooney just wants to get invovled and Ronaldo just wants to finish top scorer.
But the summation of these circumstances affected the game of one and the other. Ronaldo benefited from more assists from Rooney, while Rooney scored less, or rather no as often or as consistently as he should be.
June 11th, 2009 at 20:19
@NicoQB: Against big teams – most games against the three other top premiership teams and good champions league teams – we played 4-3-3. Well, 4-5-1 which was wrongly described as a 4-3-3 to try and hide how negative and cowardly it is. Other than that, we had two strikers and ronaldo playing in a free role but starting on the right. I actually thought that rooney played as the furthest forward player for most of the season and berbatov dropped too deep.
June 11th, 2009 at 20:21
@tevez: Whenever Rooney played with Berbatov up front and not on the wings…. HE SCORED!
End off
June 11th, 2009 at 20:23
UNITED sign RIBERY!!!
Hahahahaha… Take that you Real Cunts!
Actually thank you for the money!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 20:32
@Darth Red Diablo: At times, yes he did, but he still went through patches where he didn’t score as well. Apart from his run of games on the left wing at the end of the season, he sparsely played anywhere other than up front.
June 11th, 2009 at 20:35
Guys… I was just joking… Hahahaha…
You all alive?
June 11th, 2009 at 20:37
http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/06/11/1319715/breaking-news-real-madrid-move-is-flattering-for-me
June 11th, 2009 at 20:57
@Darth Red Diablo: Bayern will accept a reasonable amount from us and more from Barcelona because of our good standing with them despite our little spat over Hargreaves a couple of seasons back. My worry is that Ribery has had the Devil’s Advocate’s Zidane for Madrid and Henry for Barcelona paint a pretty picture inside his head about life in warms Spain (A country I have visited and wouldn’t waste a dump on). He likes United and he is a perfect fit here, but does he want to play in the weather that hits Northern England in the winter. He doesn’t seem to care for the weather in Germany so, this sticking point has to be addressed with some incentives. And if we are fortunate enough to get Ribery, then we need some guarantees from him and his agent that he doesn’t play the Spain game that Ronaldo has played with us for the last two seasons. Enough is enough.
June 11th, 2009 at 20:57
@Dan: Here’s a thought. Stop thinking.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:01
@Craig Mc: Get yourself checked out. This ailment you are suffering from may have everything to do with living in close proximity to St. James Park. It’s a breeding ground for losers and apathy. Hope you aren’t suffering from it mate because until we see just reward on the field for this sale, it’s sad fucking day to be United supporter. United, Fergie have all betrayed us with their hypocritical so called stance against Madrid. Apparently money does talk and Ronaldo does walk. Nothing to be happy about unless all that money goes to buying players and not cheap bargain basement kids and useless turds like Tosic.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:01
There goes me thinking it was gonna be a rather quiet transfer window
June 11th, 2009 at 21:01
@Grognard: So Groggy… Do you think we will get him? And if so… WHEN?
June 11th, 2009 at 21:03
Wonder if our dealings are gonna happen soon or towards the end of the market
Is there gonna be a flurry of transfers or just one or two
What I do know is we gonna be heavily linked with every freaken player by the press until we do make our signings
June 11th, 2009 at 21:09
@Grognard: Mate I think you got to remember they accepted the offer on Ronaldo’s continual requests. I mean enough is enough, I’m sure they got sick of his shit. Great player, but we The Greatest Team in the world and we don’t need players not wanting to play for us.
You can’t have expected Fergie on somebody to come out and say we were negotiating with Real, you should be use to this.
And trust me Fergie wanted to keep the lad, but he became so adament on leaving and it’s been going on for a while.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:12
@Andrei: No mate, actually we have been a one man team the last three years, or haven’t you noticed. I almost wish United never bought anyone else and I’d like to see how far down the standings we slide without our go to talisman to continually bail us out? Right now, United are in a world of hurt. And if we don’t improve the club with some serious purchase and soon, this club is in serious trouble and could drop out of the top four. We have no central midfield or midfield general, we have a siv at LB, our RW and LW situations right now are a shambles and we just lost our #3 striker.
Sure things won’t stay this way but you just cannot easily replace a generational talent like Ronaldo over night. Like I said earlier, for us to not skip a beat and go forward, the only solution would be a combination of Ribery and Aguero or Ribery and Benzema or Ribery and Huntelaar. Anything less than that and we are up shit creek without a paddle. Sure in Fergie we trust but the man is also 68 years old and doesn’t have the mustard or energy anymore to rebuild teams like he did in the 80’s and 90’s. This club so revolved around Ronaldo on offense that I fear self destruction without him, unless we can replace Ronaldo with a truly world class creative talent. There’s not many available and the best one is Ribery. And the chances of getting him right now I’d say is around 25%.
So sorry if we burst your bubble a bit but as a die hard supporter that watches and records every game and who spends hours upon hours talking about and analyzing this team (yes I have no life
), there is serious need for concern here because I have no faith, ZERO in United or Fergie to find the adequate replacements we need to fill that void and then also add to our other weaknesses. In fact I expect Fergie to drop everything in the next day and go on holidays. That’s just the way things are done at United now. We have become as aggressive off the field in our dealings as Berbatov is on the field. Languid, lazy and unproductive.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:15
@United Ticket Agency: What was the point of linking the word “United” to your site? You’ve already put the site link against your name. Don’t indulge in stuff like that. I’m watching
June 11th, 2009 at 21:23
@Fred The Red: So what? Ronaldo also signed a contract that went on for a three more years. I’d sit him down and read him the riot act and tell him to grow the fuck up. But I’m not running the show and today United did the worst thing any team in the history of football has done. They compromised their ethics, their beliefs and their previous stance by selling him to a hated and disrespected enemy. What’s next Rooney to Liverpool? No, United betrayed all of us today and they betrayed all of football by setting a dangerous precedence. They basically let the big fish win again and further widen the gap between the haves and the have nots. No team, not Madrid, Barca, Chelsea or United should be allowed to spend that kind of money on one player and no team should be allowed to exceed 100 million in total transfers. It’s not good for the game as a whole. What happened to the stance that we cannot allow Madrid to bully teams into selling their players or allow them to succeed in their attempts to buy great players from great clubs? Hypocrites and liars the whole bunch of them. Today I am disgusted with Manchester United, not with Madrid or even with Ronaldo. I am also disgusted with FIFA for allowing Madrid to buy up all the great talent in the game and in the process weaken the game in countries like England, Italy and possibly Germany if they get Ribery too.
The cream talent needs to be more widely dispursed. It’s not good for the top five or six players in the world to all be on two teams in Spain. It’s not good for the world game and it’s unfair, because their tax laws and other provisions within their country give them this unfair advantage. A salary cap must be enforced and forced through the Hague and made into law to protect the game from such ravenous, greedy and selfish behavior. And to think United assisted them in getting their target sickens me. What happened to I’ll let him rot on the bench or in the stands Fergie? Fucking disappointed and disillusioned.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:26
@Grognard: Might be hard to believe, but Idealism doesn’t always meet realism. It’s true.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:27
On top of all my grief I hear today that Setanta is in deep trouble and I’m worried for my ability to watch United in the future. If they go under or are bought by ESPN, it could mean problems for viewers in Canada. We don’t get ESPN here so some deal would have to be made with creating an ESPN Soccer Canada if they were to buy it. I f they don’t and Setanta folds, Canadians could be up Shit Creek without a paddle. With Ronaldo gone, this is just so timely.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:29
I don’t see why there’s this doom and gloom. Sure we lost one of the best, but we made him after all! Of course we have other great players at United. In a way it might be goog because all the players will need to stand up and we will most certainly add more quality to our team.
United is Fergie’s life, his been there for decades, surely he knows what his doing.
I don’t get how for every thing we question him, yet he has never stopped delivering has he.
There will never be a player bigger than United.
Personally I don’t want United to rely on one player, players like Rooney and Berba are gonna flourish trust me.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:29
@Red Ranter: Tell me about it. But I hate liars and hypocrites mate. I just hate them. And today I feel betrayed by Fergie because he let this happen and didn’t make a stand and live by his convictions and previous statements when it comes to Ronaldo and Madrid. Today the Glazer’s won and we as fans will see very little of that money go to player development. Of that I am convinced.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:34
@Craig Mc: You have a reason to feel euphoric Craig if that money goes to replace Ronaldo with world class, and not Anderson class clown talent. Be euphoric if it doesn’t go towards the Glazer’s debt. Don’t you find it a little funny that in negotiations, we never got a player or two that Real were trying to cast out like Huntelaar or Sneijder in return? That should be a warning to you that it’s all about the money and paying off the debt. The fact it’s over 5 years is idiotic and it makes me feel like we sold him for half what we did because broken up over five seasons, it doesn’t allow us the leverage to do anything with the money in terms of buy a big player or two. Just a bunch of Tosic’s and tossers for Fergie’s amusement. Honest to God I am not a traitor and I ma loyal as it gets but i feel so betrayed by my team today I feel like backing Chelsea. At least they aren’t anyone’s bitch in negotiating for players.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:35
@NicoQB: If Setanta dies, that show will die. Simple really.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:35
WE WILL BUY MESSI, TORRES AND ESSIEN!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 21:36
@Fred The Red: Yes by all means, Berba will be our savior.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:38
@Grognard: It’s a question of squad harmony. I don’t care what Madrid offer, but it was quite obvious Ronaldo’s heart wasn’t in it. It’s foolishness to expect Fergie to admit to everyone that a deal was in place. Secondly it’s foolishness to pay so much money to a player who, if denied another chance to make his move, knows full well that he is a big component of how United perform. Thirdly, its foolishness on the part of the manager to once again bend over backwards to coax and cajole Ronaldo for the millionth time while giving rest of the squad a hard time. I think, sitting in the armchair it’s easy to call Fergie a hypocrite, but as a man manager it requires a lot of manoevring to do what’s ultimately best for squad chemistry, and it requires a lot of hypocrisy too. If we have to take the moral high ground over this and condemn this sort of hypocrisy, then we should take a stand and stop supporting a club that purportedly goes against our morals. Can we do that? No. So it’s time we understood the context of the situation than go on an ill tempered rant on the evil world.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:39
@Darth Red Diablo: You know Apprentice, that’s the only truly intelligent thing you have said in two days. Fergie will indeed not be here for seven years. And today he sold the team’s immediate future and fortune down the debt creek known Glazer’s Swamp.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:40
@Grognard: Nope. Don’t think so. It was a smart move to re name the show Special1TV rather than I’m on Setanta sports. The show won’t necessarily die, especially considering Setanta are selling their assets desperately.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:41
@RedDevilEddy: And Ribery also!
June 11th, 2009 at 21:47
@Red Ranter: It’s never foolish to be honest with those who pay your salary mate. You say I’m not very realistic but I believe in honesty and ethics in business and I feel we the loyal legion of United supporters today have had a big royal dump placed at our front door with a courtesy card from Fergie saying, “Hows that for loyalty and thanks for your patronage”. I feel totally disrespected and betrayed. I feel no ill will to Ronaldo because I have known for two years what he wanted. My point was we all can’t have what we want in life and it should be no different for anyone tied to a contract that they signed knowingly and legally. Ronaldo needed to suck it up, grow up, be a man and accept his situation and honor his contract. And Fergie in turn needed to tell him you aren’t going anywhere until your contract is up or until I retire. You will shut up, play hard and if not, you will sit on the bench if I hear you whine about Madrid.
And I wouldn’t care whatsoever if I felt 100% that United had a master plan to fill the vacancy with another truly world class talent. Will we get Ribery or Aguero? I doubt it. And I’m sorry but Benzema barely replaces Tevez. And has Fergie learned nothing from this fiasco with Ronaldo that he pursues yet another Real Madrid wannabe? It’s sad times we live in when the people we have in charge of our beloved club say nothing most of the time and lie to us at critical times and then do nothing to heal our broken hearts.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:50
@Traverse: Ha! Ha! Ha! You’re still clinging on to that Hargreaves dream eh mate? Good for you. (“Whatever gets you through the night…..It’s alright it’s alright” John Lennon 1972)
June 11th, 2009 at 21:50
@NicoQB: you had my attention at hernanes
well for hernanes, i must say, if i was to explain the player he is combine john o’shea with a world class midfielder, he is the jack of all trades, in his short career with the tricolor paulista, he has played virtually every position on the pitch (except goal), his starting position was DM, but the manager gave him more of an attacking role and the results were devastating
first of all hernanes is naturally two footed, he does prefer his right, but he was born ambidextrious so using both is not a problem, secondly he plays the game at his own pace is deadly from all angles, can spot a pass with any technique and shoot from any angle, he is skilful and has some pace on him, not a lot though
the only knock i have on him is playing 100mph football which is the premier league, can he do it, yes but he will take time to adapt so signing hernanes as the player to cover ronaldo would be wrong because too much would be expected of him and the pressure might cause him to fail, i would love him at united but united do not need him unless carrick is sold, a more suitable replacement is felipe melo, he was immense yesterday vs Paraguay its was like someone combined hargreaves with carrick and added some samba flair to him
June 11th, 2009 at 21:50
@MoYa: And Aguero! And Phelan is fired, Grognard in!
June 11th, 2009 at 21:51
@NicoQB: Yes those wonderful Carling Cup games where we beat up useless minnows without Ronaldo. I remember them well.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:54
@Darth Red Diablo: That’s exactly what will happen. And it Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. There you did it. You infuriated me because you misspelled my all time favorite players name.
June 11th, 2009 at 21:57
@Matt: Mate, 80 million to be paid over 5 seasons. That means we have 16 million this season from Ronaldo and i think it’s going to the Glazer’s because it means fuck all to replacing a player of Ronaldo’s stature. We were royally screwed up the ass by Gill and Fergie in these negotiations. Not only should they have paid 80 million, but it should have been in one lump sum payment. Or I would have taken 50 million and Sneijeder and Huntelaar. But guess who was asleep at the wheel?
June 11th, 2009 at 21:59
@Darth Red Diablo: Ribery doesn’t give a rats ass about Cantona or Evra. It’s Platini and especially Zidane who pull his strings and get him all wet and frisky. I’d also add Henry to that group.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:00
@RedDevilEddy: Guess we could throw in Xavi just for good measure! Looks like we got a whole new midfield upwards.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:00
@NicoQB: But the Grognard was sure about Arshavin two years ago and begged and pleaded on this board hoping and praying that Fergie would see the light.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:02
@Grognard: We dont actually know if its one big lump or 5 years, do we?
June 11th, 2009 at 22:02
@MIB013: Don’t ever fuckin say “MANU” again.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:02
@Grognard: No offence mate, I dont give a stuff about Real Madrid, Ronaldo or anybody connected to this deal, Uniteds hand was forced by the player choosing Madrid coz unlike the Hienze stance with Liverpool the sums of money in the two transfers dont compare and no other team in the world would have paid this figure, which by the way, is being paid in one lump, not over five years.
Losing a player of Ronaldos quality is never good from a football perspective and I can understand peoples concerns, but personally, my over riding feelings are to back my team even more, there will be enough people slaughtering us in the next day or two without us attacking our own club, especially when they were in a no win situation.
All this hypothetical talk about how this might lead to our demise is premature mate, the deal hasnt even been finalised yet, at least let the dust settle before you start writing the teams obituary.
Todays events make me want to support the team even more, that might be blind loyalty to some, i genuinely dont give a stuff, United are bigger Ronaldo.
Yes I hope we make great signings and dont regress, but I will worry about that later in the summer, at the minute I no feel emotions for Ronaldo or Real Madrid.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:06
@Dan: Setanta said that Perez wanted to pay over 5 years but that United insisted on one big payment.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:08
@MIB013:
June 11th, 2009 at 22:08
@Fred The Red: Agree with you there mate.
After all it’s United who we support! We bigger than any player ever!
Who’s to say it’s for better or worse, we don’t know yet what’s gonna be done.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:09
@Fred The Red: Well there we go then, its one big lump!
June 11th, 2009 at 22:09
@Grognard: how do you possibly know what frencmen have the most influence on Ribery, come on mate, stop the doom mongering unless you can back your statements up.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:11
@MoYa: Agreed mate, lets wait and see what happens.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:13
@Grognard: I’d rather wait for something concrete than be resigned to pissing £20mil up the wall. One website that says he ‘might’ be out until January does not constitute ’something concrete’.
I’d also rather that than buy 5 alright in the German league nobodys at £15mil a pop.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:17
@Fred The Red: In a way it proves a point that no player is bigger than United. We must support our club and perhaps other players will step up along with any new signings.
Fergie isn’t ignorant and United is his life.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:18
If Grognard was in charge of United on June 12, 2009.
If I were manager of United and Ronaldo was sold from under me today, here is what I would do. QUIT.
Seriously though, I would demand to the Glazer’s that 80 million be given to me to purchase players and even if the 80 million Real are to pay, is over 5 years, I would tell them to get bank credit on those future payments. I would then do the following to the team.
1. I would loan Nani to Sporting and get Moutinho in return with an outright option to purchase in two seasons.
2. I would sell Anderson to a Spanish side for 10 to 12 million.
3. I would negotiate and try to buy Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich.
4. If getting Ribery fails I immediately make a 50 million dollar take it or leave it move for Sergio Aguero.
5. I contact Real Madrid and out of good faith and our previous business I will ask for a cut rate deal for Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
6. I sign Antonio Valencia from Wigan
7. I contact Barcelona and offer them 12 to 15 million for either Keita or Yaya Toure. If that fails I offer 20 million to Roma to see if Daniel De Rossi agees to come to United. Having failed ion that too, I make a 10 to 12 million dollar play for Miguel Veloso at Sporting and possibly even rework that Nani for Moutinho deal to be Nani and Anderson for Moutinho and Veloso and some cash.
8. I contact Celtic and inquire about how much it would cost to buy Artur Boric or contact Leverkusen and offer them 15 million for Rene Adler.
9. And finally, for insurance and for games against park the bus opponents, I offer a little money 5 to 7 million for Stewart Downing so that we can get a genuine crosser of the ball to come play for this team.
Ideal scenario is
IN;
Ribery 50 to 55 million
Huntelaar 20 million
Moutinho loan to buy
Toure 12 to 15 million
Valencia 16 million
Adler or Boruc 12 to 15 million
A round about total of close to 110 million Correct me if I’m wrong but here is what we have to spend
OUT;
Anderson 12 million
Nani loan
Tevez we save on his salary and don’t have to pay 25 million
Campbell 6 million
30 to 40 million in the annual transfer kitty
Ronaldo sale 80 million.
More than enough in my books to get the job done and rebuild this team to look better and different all in one.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:19
@Fred The Red: Because I read my friend. I read.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:21
@Traverse: We look to be getting a Premier League nobody for 16-17mil though…Antonio Valencia. Utter rubbish business I say.. he isn’t worth more than 10mil at best.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:24
@Grognard: Good calculations there. Just that.. dont buy Valencia for more than 10mil though.. and no Boruc please.. Adler only!!
June 11th, 2009 at 22:24
@Darth Red Diablo: I honestly think we had a chance until I heard that United were taken to the cleaners with the five year payment plan stipulation. If Real were forced to dish out 80 million in one lump sum not only could they have a hard time affording him and Villa, but I could have seen United add their own stipulation by saying we sell you Ronaldo, we want Ribery so hands off. But when we agree to such an idiotic payment plan that tells me that the money is only going to service our debt, then i cannot see how we had any leverage whatsoever in demanding anything out of Madrid regarding Ribery. Seriously, no I don’t think we will get him. I’d love to be proven wrong though, like never before.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:25
Platini finally got to admit that the transfer fee was a bit “excessive”
Not for us!
Anyone seen this?:
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/ronaldo-is-flattered-and-celebrates-in-paris/
Speechless… But somehow I’m not surprised…
June 11th, 2009 at 22:25
@Grognard: Seconded.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:26
@Rahul: Boruc is the best pure shot stopper and reflex goalkeeper I have seen since the great Schmeichel. He;s awesome. His only problem is he’s a bit of a head case but I believe his marital problems were the cause of that and he is now divorced and clear of that albatross in his life. Besides, I kind of like flakey and eccentric goalkeepers. And Valencia’s asking price is nothing less than 16 million.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:26
@Grognard: Honesty can be foolish. I can give you many examples of people ending up doing something stupid in the name of honesty. There is a reason one shouldn’t wash dirty laundry in public. It’s obvious you and I don’t see eye to eye on the issue of clubs dealing with fans. Which is why it’s impossible of me to get you to see my point of view, and you to convince me to see yours, which is fine by me.
But I do find your argument predicting doom far fetched because it is based on far too many assumptions for me to accept. So we’ll leave it there.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:29
@Grognard: Errrr Grog, they said on MUTV tonight that the 80 million IS being paid in one lump sum, BEFORE they get Ronaldo. On talk sport today also, the lawyers explained what the word UNCONDITIONAL in the contract means. It means that the full amount has to be paid, and that is unconditional terms of the contract. Apparently that is what the delay was with Madrid, because they wanted to pay over 3 annual payments, but United said, up front or nothing.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:30
@Grognard: Boruc is not “a bit of a head case”… he’s mental!!
I much prefer Adler. Heck, I remember Adler was your no.1 GK target till sometime back!
June 11th, 2009 at 22:31
If this is my last comment, and you never hear from me again, it is because I will die tomorrow. English oral exam=doomsday!
Wish me luck!
June 11th, 2009 at 22:31
@Red Ranter: That’s only because you are younger than me and have been brought up in this corrupt and cynical world that has been created post Reagan. I remember how teams were run and how they operated in the 70’s and early 80’s in all sports and how they felt obligated and accountable to their fans to let them know as much as possible without getting into he said and she saids. There is nothing wrong with honesty but then again, I am not asking them for tape recordings of everything that was discussed. I’m just asking for some respect and some consideration before you slip the knife into my back. And that’s what United did today. A massive meat cleaver in the back.
I know exactly where you are coming from but all I am saying is I go farther back than you and remember a more innocent time. I’m not naive, just nostalgic.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:33
@Rahul: Adler is great too but if I honestly had my choice of German keepers, I’d pick Manuel Neuer. More well rounded skill set and better on highballs. Akinfeev of Russia and Sebastian Frey of Fiorentina and France are damned good keepers also.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:34
@Red Ranter: the Ronaldo discussions always seem to tempt you into posting, would I be right in saying, like me, you are sick and tired of all the tripe and hot air that Ronaldo seems to inspire, Im glad that it will soon be over and have found the whole thing nauseating for some time now.
He has totally stripped me of any emotional attachment to himself or any of his goings on.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:35
@NicoQB: Oh Ronaldo can just blow me but at least I hope he wears his pink shirt and flower in his hair. He can sod off.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:36
@Grognard: Boruc is a mess. Good shot stopper, but a nutter who has disciplinary problems and makes too many mistakes. He enjoys a bevvy too.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:41
@Mr.Muhozi: Oh I don’t think people, or at least reasonable and informed football folowers, will expect Hernanes to be Ronaldo’s replacement. Prior to this sensational piece of news, many people here were talkling about how we really need a true world class Defensive Midfielder – in the mould of Essien, Keane, etc.
I was just asking you whether you thought the boy Hernanes could end up as good as them… From yopur descrioption he would be great in Spain or Italy, but much more a gamble in the PL…
June 11th, 2009 at 22:41
@MoYa: Yes but you must toast him on the rack and demand maximum payment and players from Madrid, not a 5 payments over 5 years. That lets Madrid and Ronaldo off the hook and gives no leverage to make moves to remedy the current situation. It’s bad business unless you have a contingency plan in place for this day. And somehow I doubt it because I think Fergie has been asleep at the wheel for a while now.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:43
@Red Ranter: That’s a good point.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:44
@Grognard: Yea Neuer would is a good one too.. dunno anything about the Fiorentina GK though.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:45
@Dan: Five years is what is being reported. I so hope it’s just media BS.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:45
@Grognard: I am also a long time cricket fan — and the nickname of that sport (like football is the beautiful game) was the ‘gentleman’s game’. So I am aware of a simple romantic sporting world not too long ago. Even that game is getting corrupted and going through, what you can say, a very late puberty stage. So I may be brought up in a corrupt, cynical world, but don’t mistake me for not being aware of simple times in sport, in general.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:48
@Fred The Red: You go your way mate, I’ll go mine. I respectfully disagree with you until United prove to me that the money they gain from this sale goes to player development and player development only. Not a dime to the debt. If that happens then I am all for the deal because I too was sick and tired of Ronaldo’s antics. Read my letter to Ronaldo yesterday before you label me in a corner like you did. I was way ahead of you in my feelings on getting rid of him. I just don’t like the workings of the deal is all.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:50
@Grognard: Also you have got to be kidding me if you think you never thought this could ever happen. Knife at the back would be when you don’t expect it.
I’m surprised, genuinely.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:51
@Fred The Red: Fred, are you trying to pick a fight with me mate? Seriously, you are pissing me off. I don’t monger mate and everything I say that is not my based on my views is based on something I have watched or read. So please keep your cheap accusations to yourself. Few have my integrity or my knowledge on this game and I’ll have you remember that in the future with all due respect to your knowledge and integrity as well.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:51
@Fred The Red:
The teams obituary , hell Bro all the ABU’s are already ordering the funeral wreaths 
. 
.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:52
I think, as someone said it b4, Fergie will not be too arsed to look for Ronaldo’s replacement. He’ll pick someone else from the team (or buy someone) as his key and build a new system altogether. Fergie the alchemist loves his 5 yearly overhaul sessions.
I think the holder of the No7 shirt will be the key man.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:53
@Craig Mc: That’s great Bro. If that is true, I am overwhelmed with relief. 80 million over 3 or 5 years would have hampered us greatly when trying to replace a player of that kind of ability. Now hopefully the Glazer’s don’t hamper us in this and keep their grubby little hands of this money.
June 11th, 2009 at 22:54
@Craig Mc: Lots of happy scousers out there today! Got lots of taunts today about without Ronaldo it’s gonna be theirs and not our year. Little do those twats know!
June 11th, 2009 at 22:59
@Fred The Red: I have been through Ronaldo a long time ago if you may recall my outburst last summer. All heart break, emotion etc was done then. My cynicism and everything else came about then. All this now is just drama played out, and whilst I did give support him as a United player during this season, I never totally forgave him — if it really matters in the first place. Many people actually got around to supporting him like nothing happened, but I just couldn’t get around to that all season.
Put me down as a cynic because what has happened so far has done nothing to surprise me. There’s only so much preening a club could put up with, however good you are as a player.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:01
@Red Ranter: Truthfully, I honestly fell for Fergie’s statements fromlast year. I honestly felt that Madrid would try and try and Ronaldo would cry and cry but in the end, Fergie was going to make an example of him like he threatened to last season. So although it is not a shocking surprise, it’s a feeling of betrayal from a man and an organization that should have held itself up higher than the rest of the Tom, Dick’s and Harry;s of the soccer world who knuckle under to the demands of the big Spanish Anti-Christ. Very disappointed and very ashamed. But knowing that they got the lump sum of 80 million as opposed to payments makes me feel better as long as they put it towards replacing Ronaldo and improving the team. In that case, I am more than fine with the sale because as my letter to Ronaldo stated yesterday, I was sick and tired of him myself. But I so wanted Fergie to send a message to the world of football that what goes around, doesn’t come around to Manchester United. Yes, I am a naive romantic.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:02
@Craig Mc: Imagine
how Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are feeling? That’s enough to make me sick to my stomach.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:03
@Rahul: Fergie is 68 mate. He doesn’t have five years to rebuild and restructure this team. He said he would retire by 70.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:05
To sum up my feelings — although I will come up with a post about this tomorrow — I am happy about the sum of money with the sale. But I am not happy about the publicity regarding the amount of money we have received, lump sum or not. This is yet another reason why I think being up front and honest over transfer deals can be bad for us. Now every effin’ club in the world think we have free money lying around and will gleefully add another 20m on top of any player’s value.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:07
Douglas Costa for me seems the ideal replacement-a flair player, young, 21 million buy-out clause and world class potential. Can play through the middle or on the wing so still room for someone like Valencia or Nani.
Then we’d have cash left over for Benzema or ideally a central midfielder to replace an injured Hargreaves-i just cannot think of any names, there is a dearth of good central midfielders-they are all at Barca, Pool, and Chelsea.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:08
@Grognard: ya but he still is the alchemist. He’ll surely pass on his strategic instructions to his successor (Mourinho anyone?)
June 11th, 2009 at 23:09
Alexis Sanchez. Anyone with any dope on this guy??
June 11th, 2009 at 23:11
@tevez: Who doesn’t enjoy a bevvy Bro, nobody I know
.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:13
@Grognard: Real Madrid were never the problem mate, Ronaldo could have silenced them with one careful and completley decisive statement.
SAF probably thought that he could woo Ronaldo back once he got him to stay for another season, it didnt happen and they were forced to grant the players wishes.
United indulged this guys ego more than anybody that I can remember, enough is enough, they done the right thing today mate and its time to batten down the hatches and start being supporters and back the club.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:14
@Red Ranter: Apparently Bro in England the clubs have to make the transfer fees public, TAXMAN and all that mate
.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:16
Not to mention RR, that Real Madrid can’t keep anything secret. They are so loose lipped, that the whole world is kept informed, with minute by minute accounts
.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:16
@colver: I second that, Costa will do nicely
June 11th, 2009 at 23:17
@Craig Mc: I don’t think that’s true. They have to make it public if it is a Plc, when they will be answerable to the shareholders. They don’t have to reveal it to the general public. I know a lot of deals Arsenal have done on an ‘undisclosed fee’. You would have seen that phrase trotted around a lot. The fee will be ‘undisclosed’ and the media will be left to speculate.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:18
@Fred The Red: I can’t believe how cool, calm and collected I feel about this. Probably because I have know and believed from last summer, that Ronnie was only here under duress for another season.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:19
@Craig Mc: That’s there. But I would have thought United wouldn’t have bleated it out already, oh well, with such a big deal as this one — being the world record and all — I guess we can make an exception.
But it still hurts us when we dip into the market. 
June 11th, 2009 at 23:19
@Craig Mc: Same here.
It felt like a marriage of convenience; you knew it was never gonna last.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:21
@Red Ranter: True, yeah that’s true
. Perhaps United did this to convince the fans that they had done everything to keep Ronnie, but in the end his desire to go was just too much, so the fans need to know Madrid payed thru the nose for him.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:23
@Red Ranter: Yeah for Man United, it was like having an adulterous wife in bed with you, and knowing in your heart she was flirting with and intending to skulk off with some other dude
.
June 11th, 2009 at 23:26
@Craig Mc: Ronnie was like the beautiful girlfreind that deep down you knew would one day break your heart.
This time last year I would have been gutted, but Ronaldos behaviour these past 12 months have galvanised me to the extent that I genuinely dont give a stuff about him or Real Madrid mate, so keep cool, things are not as bad as some would have you believe.