Jul 18
Conflicting Reports Cast Cloud Over Fergie-Ronaldo “Meeting”
Everyone has been going on about Fergie holding talks with Ronaldo over the past few hours. The Guardian, for example, report that Fergie held talks with Ronaldo on Monday as he flew to Lisbon.
Here, let me quote:
Sir Alex Ferguson has met Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in six weeks in an attempt to persuade the winger to forgo his “dream” move to Real Madrid and remain at Manchester United.It is understood the United manager flew to Lisbon for talks with the 23-year-old on Monday, the first face-to-face encounter between the pair since a party at Old Trafford in the days after the club’s Champions League final triumph over Chelsea in May.
Now on the surface, if you are speed reading this on your way to your morning coffee, you would have your spirits up. But consider this report on the very same Monday that Fergie was said to have his meeting with Ronaldo, reported by Times Online:
Sir Alex Ferguson once famously rode pillion on a motorcycle journey across Paris to persuade Eric Cantona not to retire, but it seems that there will be no mercy dash to try to talk some sense into Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferguson had planned to fly to Lisbon today in an attempt to clear the air with the Portugal forward, but instead the Manchester United manager will stay at home to focus on his attempt to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur, raising further doubts about Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford.
Ok, now both sources acknowledge that there was a plan to hold a meeting with Ronaldo on Monday. But again, both articles seem dubious with very little by way of quotes to give us anything. Consider the first story on the Guardian: if Fergie was to go to Lisbon to meet Ronaldo and Ronaldo was in Los Angeles for the past couple of days (for the ESPYs), and if Fergie was to leave on Thursday to South Africa, it makes Monday a rather narrow window for Fergie to hold talks. There is certainly time for him to hold talks but it still sounds a little far fetched that the Gaffer would have gone all the way to Lisbon and back and gone unnoticed till today. Also it’s written by Daniel Taylor — not one of my favourite journalists.
Similarly Oliver Kay ran the Times Online story. Again, I’ve found his reportage a little dodgy over the last few months. But I could understand that Fergie may have cancelled the meeting, if there was any scheduled, because he may have wanted to concentrate fully on pre-season as well as getting ready for South Africa. It also could be because Ferguson is 100% certain that Ronaldo is not going anywhere and that he alone holds the cards.
I find both stories conflicting and I don’t really buy the Guardian’s version at all.
Update: Fergie did in fact meet Ronaldo. He says it was done last week — I suppose that makes more sense than Monday.
* * *
Meanwhile The Sun reports that Ferguson has stated his interest in Berbatov and that it will be sorted out in time. I am slightly concerned now that, amid the climate of Real publicly pursuing Ronaldo, Fergie has started actually naming his transfer target.
“We have made Tottenham an offer on Berbatov and we have good expectations that this deal will go through. Berbatov has been impressive during a long time and would be a great addition to our attack. I think time will work for us more than against us. We will not stress this situation. We are hoping to have a constructive conversation with Tottenham in the near future.”
Whatever happened to carrying out business discreetly?
* * *
United have left for South Africa for pre-season and will play the Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday. Here’s the full squad for the Africa tour:
Tomasz Kuszczak, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Wesley Brown, Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Mikael Silvestre, Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher, Ben Foster, Daniel Simpson, Lee Martin, Fraizer Campbell, Darron Gibson, Jonathan Evans, Ben Amos, Christopher Eagles, Michael Clegg, Andrew Caveney, Gary Walker.
Oh, and don’t rub your eyes in disbelief if you don’t see Owen Hargreaves in there. He’s out doing an impersonation of Louis Saha (desperately knocks on wood) — his problem, a recurrence of tendinitis. Well, I just have one thing to say to Owen about that: Mate, get as injured as you want during the summer, but get your arse as fit as you can for the first game because you are our right winger against Newcastle.
Related items from Red Rants:- Bolton vs Man Utd: Preview
- Saha’s Injury: Who do we believe?
- The Ultimate Manchester United Stats Page
- Three Questions for Manchester United
- United Take First ‘Trophy’ of Season
Tags: Opinions/Columns
July 18th, 2008 at 10:05
I hope Hargo is fit for the start, I think he will be really important for us next year.
Fergie is keeping tight lipped regarding Ronaldo, either he has said his peace in the fact that he is staying, or it is out of his hands and the Glaziers as reported are negging a deal for his departure, and Fergie like any good employee (like CQ!!) is toeing the company line.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:29
i think fergie has the deal in the bag.both sides are happy just a matter of time
July 18th, 2008 at 10:33
i thought that Mr Cristiano was in America picking up an award from espn or something…. he’s doing a lot of flying about even with that gammy leg.
Berba is in the bag… all but.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:41
RR, Fergie confirmed that they had made a bid on a player, but he refused to name who it was.
The Sun has just assumed that it’s Berbatov Fergie was talking about and added his name and the name of Tottenham in the quotes.
I’ve also checked on many of the other articles that has the same quotes, and every single one of them are quoting the sun.
I think it’s safe to say that we can take these quotes with more than a pinch of salt.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:44
We will sign him I am sure, and think he will be great for us, big game player a real class act, scores goals, creates goals, great touch the new king!!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:50
RR I think most journo’ are second guessing in this saga now, I mean if you ever check up on Marca(spa) or A Bola(por) they are truely obsessive with this story and everyone whats to get that scoop and the ‘I will leave’ exclusive. I remember Fergie’ Frost interview where he said his tolerance for reports concerning him and ManUtd has cooled suggesting the media are under huge pressure from editors and the publics demand for exclusive material. I for one agree though continued lazy journalism hacks me off, I do however believe Oliver Kay to be quite accurate(as he can be) but he too has joined this bandwagon.
I won’t get into what UK paper I find most accurate or trustworthy but I will say the Sun is below par, I think everyone had Berba as odds-on and they ran it as a Fergie interview using loose quotations. Having said that if I’m wrong(likely) why has Fergie talked to this half-ass paper? This simply contradicts ‘Utd reporting Real to the governing bodies’ what a joke! I doubt Utds spokesman/website will inform us of anything new, so I’ll wait on Gus Poyet to talk!
The one thing is that no fee has been agreed that would have been leaked, I just hope that ‘the bid’ is under £23m.
-In 2006 Utd splashed £18m on Micheal Carrick he has been Fergies first choice centre midfielder for the past two seasons. In this time Utd have won back to back titles and a champions league missing out on the FA cup. If anyone has proven that paying the odds for a player its Carrick -HE is no Veron- Please people get over his price tag already! Its like he has to captain San Marino to a world cup final before he can be Man Utd material.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:00
@AGP I was not saying that he was not United material, or that he is not a good player, and I love him for the penalty in Moscow , I was saying he, like some other players we have bought like, for example Rio, who was in my view POY last season, was expensive thats all considering Spurs paid £2.5m 2 years before hand.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:11
Ps actually I have always liked Veron, he just could not settle in our league!!
July 18th, 2008 at 11:49
Sky Sports News is now reporting that after “some detective work”, they can confirm that SAF met with Cristiano on Monday afternoon or evening in Portugal. You have to give Fergie credit for making an incognito dash over to Lisbon. I wonder if he was in disguise.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:04
@Stephen: Okay sorry I thought it was more point the finger at Carrick(sorry mate). The thing with his price is I should of brought up the current market and what Utd ‘will have to pay’ for any footballer these days. RR ran the article on Alexis Sanchez- whose club would have sold him for £7m 3 months back but his agent talked up Utd and his price doubled. It’s the sad state of football these days. p.s Rio was my player of the year as well, Rio for Captain!! nuff said.
@Jak: Yeah Sky sports have said there is a 2PM-3PM news conference as well, they suggest Fergie may talk about Berba and the Ronaldo meeting lets hope so aye!
July 18th, 2008 at 12:37
i don’t think those quotes about berbatov are real, I think they were off some norwegian united site who took the interview down after a while, The Sun must have just picked them up from there and everyone else is just quoting them. Lazy journalism all round.
Anyway, why would SAF talk exclusively to The Sun
July 18th, 2008 at 12:59
@riz:
Did the Norwegian site have those exact quotes though. Its one thing after all for the Sun to pull the usual ‘insiders say’ as thats a get out clause to print anythung but to attribute it to Fergie himeself, especially if the quotes unique to them is taking a risk
July 18th, 2008 at 13:24
I don’t know about delaying things working to our advantage. Reasons???
1. Obviously, Berbatov will find it easier gelling with the team performance wise, and in his case, attitude wise if the deal is done early!
2. The more we hear from Real Madrid now, the less likely the move seems. Holding on for more time definitely does not improve our position 1 bit because Real don’t really need Ronaldo that badly, do they? It’s us who will be stuck with a grumbler who can’t walk for 3 months. While they just buy some of the other best talents in the world. And Ronaldo next season, as well…
3. Barca have joined the fray to get Berbatov and they certainly might be the favourites to get Berbatov if the bids are equal. Afterall, United are the Spurs’ direct opponents in the league. Plus, Berbatov might on 2nd thought realise that he will in all likelihood be the 1st striker of Barca, feeding off talents such as Henry, Messi and Xavi. At OT, he is not exactly a definite starter with Tevez very much in the fray.
4. And lastly, the more we delay the, more other clubs can take advantage of our desperation. Afterall, we can’t go into the next season with a hobbling, disillusioned Ronaldo, injured Hargreaves and no new signing to show. What with the Blues trying to buy their title as usual!!!!!
So, I really really do hope that Fergie decides to plunge into the transfer market at the earliest. And give us fans something to cheer about. It’s been all dark, hazy and depressing since that glorious Wednesday night
July 18th, 2008 at 14:12
@AGP: The price tag has nothing to do with carrick not being united material, it’s his playing ability. He’s not really good enough. Also, veron as a player was lightyears ahead of carrick. He was so much better in terms of sheer ability. It’s a shame he could not adapt to the premiership because he had the potential to be a tremendous signing.
@Anish: Signing berbatov a week or so earlier will not have a noticeable difference on his performances at the start of the season. Someone else argued this point giving tevez last year as an example, but i attribute tevez’s uninspiring early performances to the fact rooney got injured and he was playing lone striker, a role which is not his game.
I doubt barcelona are in for berbatov. He wouldn’t be first choice striker there as henry has already been assured he is the main striker this season.
July 18th, 2008 at 14:14
@ Anish, United are playing the waiting game mate, Jol has already come out and stated that Berba has always wanted to sign for us, and we have probably already agreed personel terms with his agent, so we would have commitment there.
So I think good on us for not being held to ransom, Spurs know they have to sell as they have no or little chance of keeping the player. Ramos would have looked at replacements already, because ever since he has been manager he knew that the player wants to go.
July 18th, 2008 at 14:17
@ Tevez, Carlito was also playing in the Coppa America, which went on until mid July.
July 18th, 2008 at 15:11
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6614082
I love fergie!! “he put his points accross I put mines accross and at the end of it:he’s staying”
I think you can’t get a blunter manager than fergie!
July 18th, 2008 at 15:14
Manutd.com:
Boss: Ronaldo’s staying putSir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he met with Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss the player’s future and insists the winger will not be sold to Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old has been openly coveted by Real Madrid over the last few months with the player himself reported to be keen on a switch to the Bernabeu.
However, at a press conference in South Africa to mark the start of United’s pre-season trip, the Reds’ boss confirmed Ronaldo is going nowhere.
“The meeting went well - I think we both put across our points of view - where we stand and where the player stands,” explained Sir Alex.
“I can say he’ll be a Manchester United player next season. That’s our stance - he won’t be sold.”
More to follow…
July 18th, 2008 at 15:15
@Viresh: You beat me to it.
July 18th, 2008 at 15:16
well its breaking news on skysports that ronldo wont be sold and he is staying, spainnish media and real madrid will still not stop this summer, we need more info on what ronaldo said.
July 18th, 2008 at 15:22
Yea, I dont really know what that means for next year, but in all honesty, I would love for him to stay on for a couple more years. I dont really respect him as a person anymore, but there is no denying he makes our team better. Add that to the possible signing of Berbatov, and you cant help but think of all the silverware we could win in the next couple of years. I wonder if continuing to win here coupled with RM continuing to be a circus, if Ronaldo wont have a change of heart in a year or two? Maybe I’m dreaming, but this news that he will play for us this season makes me excited. Now I just have to prepare for the shitstorm that will be next season. Hopefully by then we have bought or will by someone by the name of Kun.
July 18th, 2008 at 15:26
Listen this is the point as much as we probably hate the debt that has been put on our club if ronaldo is sold over fergie’s head then we’re gonna see a backlash however if he’s stays and fergie can brainwash him again then we’re good! i’m licking my lips as we speak berba, tevez, rooney, ronaldo and one of saha manucho and campbell!! what an group of strikers!!this is gonna be a good season if everything goes our way again!
July 18th, 2008 at 15:34
I have mixed feelings, I am glad it is resolved but personally I think he has dragged the clubs name through the mud over the past couple of months. He wants to go and is only staying because he has to, which to me ( and I know I am being negative!) is not good enough.
He has taken the gloss off the double and its all as usual all about him on and off the pitch. If Real paid us lets say £70-£80m for a player who has showed the club, management, players and fans no respect then that to me is good business.
He is a great player no doubt, but to me the club is bigger, and probably he should have been sold. I know he may come back in October and be his wonderful footballing self, but we should be beyond that.
July 18th, 2008 at 15:42
Yeah, I have mixed feelings too.
But look at it this way - now there is an awesome oppurtunity for the boys to show us that even if Ronaldo had gone, he would not have been missed. He’ll be back only in Oct and Aug-Sep has some very tough matches. What better way to prove a point than to get off the blocks in brilliant fashion, win our matches with style and show him that we could have done without him too. That’ll put him right back in his place and he’ll probably come back a humbler person. I’d really like him to fight for his starting place…
Ofcourse, it could be bad too…we could be struggling by Oct and he’d be like “Oh..see! I have to come back and rescue you guys!”. But I seriously hope its the former rather than the latter.
July 18th, 2008 at 15:43
@ antsBoy, spot on mate totally agree.
July 18th, 2008 at 16:01
Im not sure. I think the Media has done too much out of this case. They have done more damage than Ronaldo has done himself. Maybe he just has said one thing while the others say 100 that are supposed to be from him. I think he will be an important player for us nedxt season and an important player in the future. Hopefully United will be flying when he comes back, but the sooner the better.
July 18th, 2008 at 16:02
if you look at last seasons stats, we managed a few cracking results without CR7, everything indicates that having rooney in the team is the catalyst for our successes. And i wouldnt worry about another poor start to the season, if anything we only go onto succeed in europe and in the league after such ‘terrible’ openings, it was rooneys absence at the beginning of 07/08 that was our big problem. Sure ronny smashed in 42 goals but how many of these were penalties hargo might have taken or even a 3rd or 4th goal in a game we already wrapped up?. With berba in the side we could realistically play a 4-3-3 with rooney, tevez and berba in the front 3 and hargo, scholes and park making up a highly flexible and interchangeable midfield
July 18th, 2008 at 16:03
So if Ronaldo stays, do u think we are still in the market for players other than Brebatov? And what about Ronaldo’s future in ManUtd ? Has Fergie just put off the inevitable or has he changed Ron’s mind? Opinions please
July 18th, 2008 at 16:03
@antsBoy: Great point mate, well said. If he does stay(which is looking more than likely)i think and hope he will want to prove a point to the fans. Its the least we deserve after having to put up wit a summuer full of bullshit!
July 18th, 2008 at 16:09
@ Elsammio99 What Park instead of Carrick or Anderson are you sure?!
July 18th, 2008 at 16:10
@RedRanter - Just to let you and everyone else know who might be unaware that the official premier league fantasy football tournament for the 08/09 season is open, hopefully we’ll get another league set up for all the loyal redrants readers soon, just a shame as always that until august we wont get a look at one anothers teams, but im feeling confident about mine, just hope the rules on too many players from a certain team wont screw me over if and when my star striker Berbatov decides to throw on the red of united
July 18th, 2008 at 16:16
@Stephen - Well besides being a big fan of oll parky i did just throw him in ther as a possibility in a big flexible midfield that could easily include nani or anderson
Fantasy football signup at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
July 18th, 2008 at 16:27
@Elsammio99: Easy mate. We are working on a fantasy league and details will be out in some days.
July 18th, 2008 at 16:51
Well well, looks like CR7 is gracing us with his presence for one more year. And what an interesting year it will be. Fergie has stuck to his guns, and credit to him, though I guess we really shouldn’t have expected anything less. So what does it mean?
For the team?
a. Sends the message that Fergie is serious about getting this squad to stay and grow together, and that he cares enough to fight for someone. That is good.
b. Might have built some resentment towards the great winking one, but if Rooney and he could get over the summer before last, hopefully a few jokes in practice will smooth it over. I’m not convinced though.
For Ronaldo
Well it’s now a big test for him. He should be reigning player of the year, will not get a preseason to speak of and will be expected to be at his very best. And will have to prove to United fans that he is still playing with his all, because they will rightly be skeptical. If he can come back in November and still be performing at similar levels to last year, then he will go a long way to getting him towards great status. But if he comes back, has lost a step and scores half as many goals, people will view him as dissapointing.
For Fergie
Smart, smart man. This way he forces CR7 to spend the next 9 months in Manchester, with his teammates, hopefully watching the best team in Europe. That’s 9 months to get over his ‘dream’, 9 months to get over his woman, 9 months to forge better relationships with the players around him. About 7 months of playing in a front 4 with 3 of Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Nani, Giggs and Saha. Not bad.
For Real Madrid/Calderon/Marca,
Absolute failure. F*ck you, you lying tw*ts.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:00
@Stephen: Yeah tevez aint had a break for a good few years. That’s why this is his season.
@Elsammio99: 4-3-3 with rooney, tevez and berba doesn’t work because of either a lack of width for giving rooney and tevez freedom to drift around and do their thing, or because forcing them to stay wide will take them out the game and they would be ineffective. Also, the midfield would be a tight midfield three, so no park or nani in there as they are wide men. The formation does not suit the players at all in my opinion.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:01
Yeah on a positive note it does show that we will not be bullied by other so called big clubs, we have maintained our dignity thoughout this process unlike Real.
Fergie made me laugh when he said,
Asked why he had not commented on the matter until now, Ferguson replied: “It’s not a difficult position. I was on my holiday and I was not going to interrupt my holiday, believe me.
You got love the man he is a genius!!!
July 18th, 2008 at 17:05
Tevez, spot on mate he will be fit and rareing to go this season, as he has said he is desperate to sign permanent deal with us, and will work his bollox off to prove he is worth it.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:13
er, whos Michael Clegg and Andrew Caveney
…
July 18th, 2008 at 17:14
@dan(u-ol): Next time give us some context with your comments. Don’t ask questions out of the blue.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:15
I do recall that Michael Clegg is an ex-United player. But why you ask?
July 18th, 2008 at 17:16
Cleggy have retired think he is a fitness coach at Sunderland but don’t quote me!!
July 18th, 2008 at 17:20
Nice random quote dan…
July 18th, 2008 at 17:24
I do have mixed feelings too. I am very angry that after such a great season, we couldn’t properly enjoy it, because of this saga, but I am one of those that believes that Ronaldo is more important to us then Rooney. Don’t get me wrong commitment wise and loyalty Rooney is our man and I believ a real red, but team wise I think there shouldn’t be any arguement. As proof I can point the fact that while Ronney’s game improved a lot in the past winning seasons, the improvment that made the change was Ronaldo’s. He bailed us so many times last year, that I lost the account.
Will I sing his songs?No, but I will not blame anyone who does, however I will hate any ManUtd supporter who boos him for the summer shit. Let’s make one thing clear. Most of the players this days are mercenary scum and players like Giggs are dying breed. Also Ronaldo only screw up is that he never said that he stays and only talked about dream and staff, but he never insulted the club and the Blatter comment was logical. The old fool supported players and most of the players would have said they agree with him. Ok, I know that I am deffending him and I know that he is a cunt, but I would hate to see the best player in world, who playes in my team 1st time in my life, be bood by our own supporters.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:43
Well Fergie’s long silence is over as he finally has shed light on the situation between himself and Ronaldo and their infamous meeting last week. Man what I wouldn’t give to have George Bush’s KGB style surveillance apparatus in play here so I could listen to every juicy word coming out of each other’s mouths. So Fergie is adamant that Ronaldo goes no place. Well for some of you that may be good news but for me it is very sad news if indeed Fergie plans to carry out his promise. For me it’s more of a threat. To force the thousands, if not millions of supporters like myself to have to stomach Cristiano Ronaldo after what he has done, is just more than I can take. When did the feelings of the supporters ever come in to play here? Most of us don’t want the cunt here. It’s funny how the majority of fans seem to have the best interest and care for the club in mind and not the manager or ownership of the team. Why should we be the only ones left in charge of watching over the team’s integrity, culture and team history, when the people hired to do the job snub their red noses as at us and tell us that our feelings are not welcome and our opinions are not respected? Still, we all collectively pay their salaries with our loyalty.
I am not a lone voice in the wilderness here. Go around, check the media, go to all the other United or generic footy blogs. The majority of our fans who voice their feelings don’t want him back. Why is our requests……..,Hell our demands not being heard? We’re not demanding that a certain player be bought, we’re not asking for a certain formation or lineup be played we are not barking down a path where we have no right or no place to be. We are simply demanding the transfer of a player who has crapped all over us and has insulted the social fabric, conscience and loyalty of an entire city and footballing community (Obviously City fans don’t matter). Above all he has insulted the manager and players we support. Why? Why is the team not taking this blatant slap in it’s collective face in a more predictable way? I knew Fergie was stubborn but this is beyond ridiculous. When does stubbornness morph itself in to arrogance and stupidity? There I said it! How on Earth can he and his cronies honestly feel that keeping the player is not going to damage the team and it’s prospects in the future? The boy does not want to be here. I don’t know how some of you react at such a scenario but most people leave a place they don’t want to be at, especially if their is a place where they dream to go and have the means and the invitation to do so. Ronaldo wants to be in Madrid. Right or wrong, he has made his mind up and trying to force him to stay even if legally the law is on your side may actually be wrong. You know slavery is not an issue here so lets not even think about it. I don’t care how upset he is if he is sitting in the stands or at home collecting his millions and sulking, that is not slavery. But keeping him against his will and especially the will of the majority of fans that support this club is wrong and it is a slap in our collective faces. I’m sorry but I cannot and will not see it any other way. On top of that, Ronaldo will be out 3 fucking months and this team is doing nothing to find a quality player to fill the gap and possibly take over if things become untenable. What if Ronaldo re injures the ankle upon his return, or if he decides he doesn’t want to play, or if he plays like a shite on purpose? What’s our backup plan? Ryan Giggs, Nani, JS Park? Please, we already have them and we barely won the Double by the skin of our noses with them and Ronaldo playing all the time anyway. Berbatov is not the answer. He fills the void we had anyway even with Ronaldo. But he is not Ronaldo’s replacement.
I feel this team is banking on unrealistic expectations and playing by a code and chivalry that is ancient and does not connect with today’s mercenary mindset. Fergie is showing his age and stubbornness by honestly feeling he can turn a switch and this will all be forgotten and that Ronaldo will make his triumphant return in a blaze of glory and his attitude, desire and heart will be devoted to United 100%. Wake up and smell that spiked coffee you are drinking Fergie. Don’t be so fucking naive Boss. The boy called you slave driver, he has treated you, his teammates, the team and supporters with no respect and he’s obviously set his mind on a move. So as I see it he has backed you in to a corner and you only have two choices, and playing him is not one of them. You can sell him, or you can make him rot in the stands and only play him a few minutes in ten games to keep FIFA off your back. At least if you sell him and before the transfer deadline, you can take that big wad of cash and go buy a player or two who will adequately replace him. That’s of course if that wad of cash is ever going to be intended for player purchases to begin with.
Christ am I pissed off. I heard of standing pat and not panicking but this is ridiculous. Fergie reminds me of the general who in the middle of the battle is standing and giving orders and not even flinching as bullets fly past him and explosions are happening all around him while everybody else is ducking in foxholes. Too many of his troops he looks brave and heroic, the model of leadership under fire. But to others he looks like and arrogant, conceded gas bag who cares as little for his open safety as he does for his troops. To those observers, he looks like a fool and a man that has no qualms about getting the whole platoon killed. So is Fergie a hero or a fool? I love the man believe me. But I can not and will not tolerate his latest decision. It’s just bloody well wrong and could lead to disaster. I feelings are meaningless as they will never be heard by those who matter, but still, one must rant to their heart’s content. Especially when things are looking bleak.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:48
@Stephen: Ronaldo has proven there is no such thing as commitment. Contracts and promises mean shite in todays game.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:51
@Stephen: Beautifully said mate. And right too.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:52
@ Orez, well put mate and I won’t boo him, and I think our supporters and more intelligent than that, anyone who wears the shirt should be supported, but he will never be a legend in my eyes with the likes of Best, Law, Charlton, Giggs, Scholes, G Nev, with his selfish behaviour this summer, which is a shame.
July 18th, 2008 at 17:57
@RedDevil: Mate, don’t go excusing him and getting him off the hook just because he didn’t say anything much. Sometimes one’s silence is more deafening than a big mouth like mine. His inability or unwillingness to follow up on promises to speak and tell everyone his stand and to explain himself was agitating and incredibly frustrating. It also spoke volumes to me. He was being manipulated by others and it showed just how crass and stupid he is. There is no excuse for his actions or lack of. The media was absolutely terrible and totally unethical and irresponsible in all of this but then again, we have come to expect that from them. What we never expected was the silence and and disrespect Ronaldo showed all of us and especially Fergie. And then when he did open up his mouth all he did was confuse us more and then leave us with his coup de grace, agreeing with Septic Bladder over the slavery comment. That was not the media, that was Ronaldo. And that is unforgivable.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:02
The club will be more successful next season, win silverware that too in style. Ronaldo is just a little cog in our success, no more no less, if somebody wants to be fixated on him then um.. good luck. To me good news, things are looking up, cant wait for next season.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:09
I agree with Grog, he has behaved like a girl that you love but she does not love you the same way back but doesn’t want to tell you.
If he said he wanted to leave because he has achieved everthing he could @ United then fair enough it would have been hard but Ok we could deal with that, or sat down with the manager after the ECF and asked if he would be allowed to move on, that is how a man should deal with such things. But silly little comments were not right and messed with the fans emotions which certainly not on. He has come across as an attention seeking little girl throughout this drama, but if the cap fits!!
July 18th, 2008 at 18:17
@Orez: Booing him sends a message not only to him but to the manager that the fans were disrespected and pissed on not only by Ronaldo but by the team in this saga. He is not a United player just because he wears the jersey. Why? Because he clearly chooses to not be one and only his contract obligates him to do so. People should not get caught up in symbolic ballyhoo and support him just because he wears our colors. Both he and Fergie have stuck their middle fingers up at us and flipped us all off. Does this make me hate United or Fergie? Of course not but I am disappointed as Hell in him and the stance he has taken. As for Ronaldo, the shit bag deserves to hear it from us at least once. We need to feel some satisfaction too. We need to voice our contempt and disgust with him and there is no logical reason to tell loyal fans that they should not show their displeasure for this player’s blatant disrespect and disregard for the millions of supporters who loved him and chanted his name. Boo him until his ear drums can’t take it. Let him have it. Greater people and far more loyal player have been booed off the pitch over the decades simply for not playing well. So tell me then, it’s OK to boo a loyal player who simply may not have had a good day or is just not good enough a player, but not a traitor who has shown disrespect and disloyalty to an entire team, it’s manager and it’s millions of supporters? I’m sorry but I don’t get it. It reminds me of the half of America that blindly turns an eye to the crimes and treason committed by the Bush administration on a daily basis and defends their stance on the basis of being Republican party members. Just horrific.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:17
Actually Grognard, I tend to think that CR7 conducted himself quite respectfully during this whole situation, and because of which I, for one, can accept him back into the squad. Honestly though, he could have been far more of a bitch during this summer, demanding moves and crying about us not letting him go. But he didnt, he didnt say anything which is all you can ask for when he obviously wanted to go. And I cant blame him for that, its his dream. And by the way Fergie is talking about it, it seems like Ronaldo has accepted that he wont get a move this summer, and he’s not striking, or refusing to play.
Just because a player doesnt come out and tell you exactly what he wants and is feeling doesnt mean hes a twat. You knowing exactly what he wants does nothing except give you justification to hate him, and why would he want that?
And I dont really know what all this “We are simply demanding the transfer of a player who has crapped all over us and has insulted the social fabric, conscience and loyalty of an entire city and footballing community (Obviously City fans don’t matter). Above all he has insulted the manager and players we support” comes from, but I think it couldn’t be farther from the truth. He’s actually been respectful for not coming out and being a media whore like those fags in Madrid.
I’m not saying the guys a saint, but he certainly deserves more respect than what he’s getting.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:19
@R…: “Ronaldo is just a little cog in our success, no more no less,”. At this point I am tempted to say something rude and distasteful but out of respect for you and in order to avoid Red Ranters wrath I will only say one word. WHAT?
July 18th, 2008 at 18:21
@ Comma I couldn’t disagree with you more, he has handled the entire saga terribly like a coward, not having the guts to say what he really wants as he is probably scared or he is violating his contract and will either be find or will not get a ahem loyalty bonus when he leaves.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:28
@Stephen: I understand your point actually, and its hard not to think that way, but what if Quiroz was in his ear telling him to shut his mouth? Or Fergie? I think it was no secret as to what he wanted (a move to Madrid), but he didnt go the Gareth Barry route and cry and bitch. I think he wanted too, and thats why he made those ‘in 2 or 3 days’ claims, but someone got in his ear or maybe even he thought better of it. Going public does nothing for the transfer itself, just for your own peace of mind. You wouldnt respect him more if he was talking every day like Calderon, mostly because you dont respect calderon for doing it now.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:34
@Stephen: BINGO! You hit the nail on the head mate. He should have acted like a man and had the courage to confront Fergie right after the CL final and demand his move. I would have disliked his decision but I would have respected his manner of going about things. Truthfully, in the age of the mercenary he has achieved all he could want to with our club and so his desire to move on is not an unrealistic one. Again, this is the age of the mercenary and these players are not to be and should not be expected to act like Neville, Scholes and Giggs. Some bloody respect and and consideration for all the team, Fergie and the supporters have done for him would have been greatly appreciated. Instead, Fergie is referred to as a slave driver, and we are all symbolically given the middle finger from this asshole who is only concerned about one thing and thats Cristiano Ronaldo. He just makes me want to puke. He can fuck off to Hell.
But what can I do being a powerless supporter living in Canada? Well, I will never buy anything with his number or image on it again, nor will I ever cheer for any of his exploits. And my own little form of childish rebellion is that he will never be part of any team roster I play with ever again on FIFA 08 or Football Manager. Yes indeed, he has been sold in those fictional environments and good riddance to bad rubbish. And welcome to Kun Aguero. What you all laugh? Am I clown? Do I amuse you? Well I had to get my revenge somehow. Grant me that one little moment of childish rebellion.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:57
@Wakey: I’m pretty these are the exact quotes off the internet. The site was “united.no”, it said on the site that they were taken down after the english media started contacting them.
July 18th, 2008 at 19:02
The only thing that ronaldo’s said which was wrong was when he agreed with blatter. What a stupid thing to say. Apart from that, i feel you are really overreacting. He doesn’t owe us, the fans, anything. If he is here next season, be happy that our best player is still with us. He will move on eventually anyway, whether it be this season, the next or further on. He is best friends with nani and anderson. Having him at the club another season can only benefit the team. Him leaving is more likely to unsettle them than anything else. Fans who threaten to boo him are not helping anyone but themselves. Preach about how he doesn’t give a shit about the team or any of it’s players, then on match day coming out and focusing all your energy on booing one of your own players instead of getting behind the team. Sending a message to fergie that the fans are displeased with him managing to hold on the best player. That’s stupid! If he comes back into the team, doesn’t give a shit, looks completely disinterested, doesn’t score and generally plays shite just for the sake of it then you can get on his back. If he is forced to stay he should be given a break by us. A chance. As long as he is still here i believe he will continue to perform, and if he does then fans should be happy with that.
July 18th, 2008 at 19:27
Fucking Hell!!!
Lee Martin, Darron Gibson, Jonathan Evans, Ben Amos, Michael Clegg, Andrew Caveney, Gary Walker.. Chris Eagles!! For god’s sake!!
Where the hell is Rodrigo??!!! The South Africa tour would have been an ideal opportunity to blood him! Would have shown the gooners that we’ve got the real mccoy when it comes to promising young CMs!
Now we’re going to have to wait for what, the worthington/ coca-cola whatsisname cup…
July 18th, 2008 at 19:36
@tevez: Disagreeing with me is fine and I can accept criticism. What I cannot accept is being called STUPID. And as far as me overreacting, that is my right thanks. I’ll react the way I feel like reacting. It’s OK for Ronaldo to only think of himself but a poor hurt and betrayed fan who has no say cannot help himself. Get off your self righteous high horse and don’t preach to me how I should react. I offered my opinion and right or wrong you should respect it even if you don’t agree with it. Who made you King Righteous anyway? What makes you feel your view is the correct one and mine is not. It’s all subjective and people can choose to react any way that makes them deal with this situation best. How dare you criticize me as a devoted and loyal fan of this club who is only upset because he has the balls to call out the boss and challenge his decision making. You can respect a man and love him and still disagree and be disappointed with him. It’s not like you or I have always been in agreement with our parents. Does that make us hate them? NO! Just remember that if Ronaldo stays he is doing so unwillingly. To expect him to act maturely and respectful of the team then when he has shown none of that in the last two months is being awfully optimistic indeed. And to not want to take that chance for fear it could backfire on us is not stupid, it’s cautious. I suggest you watch your mouth when you start calling fellow bloggers stupid not once but twice in one reply. I for one am not greatly offended at your disagreement but at your disrespect and attitude towards me. And it’s certainly not the first time you have gone down this road with me in the past. Smarten your act up and mind your manners if you want to converse with me in the future.
July 18th, 2008 at 19:39
@Grognard: Im not defending him. You know that I am one of those that hate him for this, but since he will be a United player I cannot hate him. Thats just how I am! What I meant was that the press kept asking him these questions with him sayin anything at the star. It was “Ronaldo will you leave?” and “Do you want to play for Real?”. He said yes and sometimes he just went around. He was a stupid shit, but if he has a good season and United win some trophies then I will forgive him. Until this shit starts again next summer! ButWe all know that Calderon actually started this whole thing. Had he not started talking of Ronaldo like he was a Real Madrid player and acting like Real had agreed a fee with United, then this wouldnt have gone so far. I am 110% sure of that! Well, in the end hte most importaant thing is that United win. That will happen with and without Ronaldo! GO UNITED!
July 18th, 2008 at 19:40
@tevez: I can’t agree with the part where you said that agreeing with Blatter was the stupidest thing he said. I could think of stuff like I’ll make my decision in 2 weeks/2 days and generally teasing the fans and media about it. I could think of ambiguous quotes, one where he talked about liking to play in the whites but then backtracking after realising what a stupid thing he said. And generally acting like he was the know all whenever he had interviews with the media.
That said, I doubt Ronaldo will play shit when he comes back. He’s got far too much pride for that. His return will only help our club do well, it’s a pity that he’s going to take months to come back by when we might be struggling having played Pool Chelsea and a host of away games.
But I can’t see myself ever enjoy when he gets the ball. If he scores for us, thanks but no thanks from me. That’s all.
PS: Buying Berbatov will ease the hurt. That’s for sure.
July 18th, 2008 at 19:43
Since we’re talking a bit about Veron, I’d like to add my bit:
That was Fergie’s screw up.. Veron was simply much too similar to Beckham: Look at it, had there been no Beckham he would have taken most free kicks and would have scored a fair few.. THat would have helped him settle down most probably. Also the overarching pinpoint passes were the trademark of Becks. Fans were used to it by then… Also Seba was a range scorer much like the Spice boy. Which means that for all of his supposed strentghs, there awas already a settled player down his stuff week in week out. He didnt stand a chance.
Plus added to that he clearly couldn’t cope with the price tag… On the other hand I’m sure he would have done great had CQ been there to guide him at the time..
July 18th, 2008 at 19:46
Oh and I was a Veron fan from his time at Lazio, way before United showed any sign of interest in him. God at the time he was on the same level as Zidane, he was that good…
July 18th, 2008 at 19:49
Grognard,
I think the cog in the wheel reference of Ronaldo to United is right in the overall scheme of things of United as a club. He was more than a cog last two seasons, but I think R… refers to him being a cog in the success of United as a club (the overall history). Correct me if I’m wrong R…
July 18th, 2008 at 19:50
@Nico QB: I asked about Rodders before, but having thought about it Ole might have asked for him to stay. He will be hugely important for Ole’ setup both as the key player and in intergrating the twins to the god aweful British climate. Clegg and Walker were old school players I think Dan and RR pointed that out!
@Grognard: ‘Man what I wouldn’t give to have George Bush’s KGB style surveillance apparatus in play here so I could listen to every juicy word coming out of each other’s mouths.’ -lol Wouldn’t we all mate, Ronaldo fending him off with his crutches whilst Fergie throws scorching hot tea at the ’silent winker’.
Off topic-sorry ranters- How on fucks name does the FA go about charging Patrice Evra for standing up against rasism, when they waist year after year convicing the fans they have stamped rasism out?!? This after they ignore the ‘BIG CHIEF’ hail Blatter! double standards.
I swear if the FA collect money or god forbid ban Evra whilst letting Luton Town rot(my cousin played there), they will lose all respect.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:00
Deja vu concerning spurs reporting Man utd! I can only forsee Dimi running back to his homeland becoming a mute and fending off Paris Hilton whilst proclaiming himself slave of the century!
July 18th, 2008 at 20:02
this will be our test season without ronaldo..if we succsede to show our team caracter and spirit playing good football without him in the first three months of the campagn….we will send huge message to the cunt, to real madrid and to media…that WE ARE MAN UNITED….and they can fuck off…and that is what I`m expacting from our heroes…Buy Berba and show them who are man utd…and leave the cunt on the beanch till november or december…that would be another story…After that there is gonna be completly different ronaldo….saying around how he loves us and other bullshits with that…
July 18th, 2008 at 20:07
Apperently United has been reported to the FA by Spurs for ‘tapping up’ Berbatov. Fuck spurs! They said it was the same as the Ronaldo situation. Is it really worth all this? And I didnt see the press conference with SAF, but did he actually say anything about Berbatov specifically, or just reference that we made a bid for someone who will imporove our team greatly?
July 18th, 2008 at 20:10
@Grog: Good for you.
Its no good bashing/booing someone who is a part of your team, sentiments are alright but deep rooted hatred is not. I like Christiano but i do not trust him, so anything he does of the field doesnt bother me. As long as he stays true to his service, which is to give his m**f**ng all on the field,and doesnt utters something against united, i have no personal vendetta against him. He is ambitious, We can live with that.
Now show me the goals kid.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:21
@Red Ranter: Right on R.R. Exactly.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:23
Well played AGP, probably shouldnt take a piss break in the middle of posting very important news because then ill look like an ass for posting it second. Awesome!
July 18th, 2008 at 20:29
In my opinion Berbatov can be a little lazy sometimes. Well, at least during some of the Spurs games i’ve seen in the last couple of seasons. There’s no question he can score a lot of goals for the club he plays for but i’m not totally convinced with his working attitude yet. But one thing’s for certain, he can’t afford to lazy if ever he comes to OT.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:34
I really want to place a serious question here: you are working in a company with a decent pay, say there is another company ready to offer you double of what you are getting and it is located in a better place - won’t you be tempted to join. Well, we are all human and we tend to go where we get more money or sophistication as we have our own personal responsibility like family, kids, future etc…. I did a similar thing and I can never point my finger at CR7 for what he has done. He is only (what?) 23 or 24 and he is from a different culture - you cannot expect him to react the way you wanted when times like these. Yes he acted like a girl/coward/whatever.. That must be acceptable. I could be wrong but this is my opinion - Forgive/Forget and accept him, just remember what he has done to us in the past couple of seasons.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:34
How is it tapping up when you’ve tabled an official bid? Do they have proof that contact with the player was made prior to approaching Spurs? I don’t even recall Fergie mentioning Berbatov by name until today’s news. Perhaps I missed it.
Can’t wait to see what Blatter comes out with in response to this news.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:34
@RedDevil: I see where you are coming from and I respect it. But here is analogy that best supports my feelings. I am married to a girl I love to death for five years. She then drops a bomb on me and says she doesn’t feel love for me anymore and that she loves and is having an affair with a handsome and rather pretentious Spaniard. So how do I react? I tell her that she must forget her relationship and stay. She says to me that I don’t love you anymore and that you can’t make me stay as I am not your slave. I tell her that she is legally and ethically married to me and in the eyes of God and the law, I do not have to give her a divorce. In fact, I will do one better. I will lock her up in my home where she will not be allowed to have any further contact with that bloody Spaniard and she must now please me and make me feel like she used to. And that means hard core shagging.
Now correct me if I’m wrong but if you look at things from that point of view, one can see how I doubt very much the girl will show me the love and devotion I expect and as far as shagging goes (game day) she comes up cold and totally lacking passion and emotion. It’s like having sex with a blowup doll (I’m not talking from experience here
). This is a satirical analogy but I see the situation being similar.
I will say this, if and when Ronaldo returns and he can prove to me and the millions of United fans that he has put this Real business behind him and he is totally devoted to United, then I may reconsider my position. Ronaldo has to show me he loves United and is devoted to the team. And there is no better way than seeing him show passion and effort on the field. And I feel I am a good judge if I see a player not giving 100% or just going through the motions (look under Berbatov 2007-08). Frankly I seriously doubt that he will come through for us. He has shown us the two faces of his character and that potential to be a tremendous distraction and cancer on a team when he sulks or when he isn’t getting his way.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:39
@Red Ranter: Sorry RR I don’t interpret what he says in that way. It sounds to me that he is referring to the team’s recent success. Only he can answer that question for us though.
July 18th, 2008 at 20:44
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7514933.stm
what now then?