May 28
Farewell Gerard, Selfish Rooney, EVDS to Play Till 40?
Welcome back. We’re officially done with the 07/08 season and we’ll tread no man’s land for the next couple of months.
Thankfully, the Euros will provide for some distraction from the ennui that will surely descend on the summer. People will die — not from the heat, but from frantically refreshing news websites looking for the latest breaking news on transfers.
One of the primary culprits responsible for causing such excitement and expectation is the Mirror, who proudly claim that Manchester United want to spend £50m in 14 days. I think the nice gentlemen at the Mirror even know which player they plan to buy and for how much because they already seem to know so much about United’s transfer strategy, perhaps even before United knew anything of it. [Predictive journalism?]
Anyway, let this piece of news not distract us from something that actually happened: Gerard Pique moves to Barcelona. For £5m which, I think, is good business. I was impressed by the lad despite his being suspect on aerial balls. He was up against the best defensive partnership in Europe. So it’s not his fault really. Anyway, good luck to him at his home club.
Update: Pique’s even written an open letter to the fans. Nice touch, I thought.
In related news, Jonny Evans could be courted by Roy Keane to have him over for another season on loan. I think it’s a good idea to farm him out to Sunderland for a further six months. It would not be smart of the boss to sell even Evans now that we’ve sold Pique. We do have Silly and Brown who can deputise at centre back. But six months is not a bad idea, just to be safe.
The Sun quotes EVDS as saying he’ll play beyond 40, although he doesn’t say it himself in the quote. True to type from the solar tabloid, one would think.
Fabio Capello plans to play Rooney in a more familiar role of shadow striker. He advises Rooney to be more selfish — I can’t disagree.
Yes, United have threatened to report Real to FIFA. But I think it’s going to take a lot more than threats to tame a thick skinned beast like the Los Merengues. And rumours still refuse to die away. Sample this from the Mirror — whose praises have already been sung above — who reckon Fergie will fly over to Geneva (where the Portuguese players are currently training) to have face-to-face talks with Ronaldo in a bid to keep him at the club. They have even made the report sound perfectly credible with a wonderfully thought out title: Rondezvous. God bless the editor.
And we shall end this today with another one of Carrick’s words of wisdom: “Munich Inspired our Win.”
Indeed, hold on to that thought for today.
‘Tis all for the day. I’m off for now. Be good.
Related items from Red Rants:- Brazilian’s United Debut and Other Stories
- United vs Reading: Preview
- The World Loves Rooney + West Brom Preview
- Loan Watch: Performances and Future Prospects
- So Long Heinze, And Thanks For The 8 Million!
Tags: Daily Roundup
May 28th, 2008 at 10:16
Booooring Summers… I hate ‘em
May 28th, 2008 at 10:39
Real president Calderon has said - ” We are not trying to have contact with a player under contract to another club. THE DISPUTE IS BETWEEN THE PLAYER AND HIS CLUB!!!. ” Yet again doubts are thrown on Ronaldo’s position in this whole debacle. The club can BLAME Real all they want, but Ronaldo could have put this to bed long before now, but No, all we get is the double tongued talk from him. Fernando Torres IMMEDIATELY put to bed Chelsea’s attempts to court him, when he said I am not leaving L’Pool end of. Therein lies the difference between Ronnie the Man Utd heartless hypocrite, and players whose heart and soul are with the clubs they play for. I am sick and disgusted with Ronaldo’s messing about!.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:41
I’m a bit sad to see Pique go, because I think he’s a major talent. However, he wouldn’t be a regular here the next 4 years, so why should he stay, and why should we want to keep him against his will (it’s an entirely different story with Ronaldo).
Since there’s nothing much going on, allow me to start a “why and why not-should we sell Ronaldo”. Contribute if you like.
Here are my contributions:
Why: Cant’ think of any
Why not:
- He’s the best player in the world, still young and getting better.
- A lot of our success is due to his game
- We don’t need the money
- He’s contracted for another 4 years
May 28th, 2008 at 10:48
Craig Mc, on the ronaldo thing, do u not think it is real madrid who are stoking up the fire wit comments like - THE DISPUTE IS BETWEEN THE PLAYER AND HIS CLUB!!!. I know the guy could def do more to squash the rumores but as far as im concerned its real who started the whole thing of and its them who keep it goin!
May 28th, 2008 at 11:09
Ronnie is not exactly quashing any of the rumours linking him to Real. “It will all be sorting within the next two weeks” and “I don’t promise anything, even to my mother”.
These comments don’t sound like a player 100% committed to to the club to me.
He is in my book obviously courting Real, or an improved contract.
God knows which but deep down I believe Real.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:17
Stephen - and everyone else, because I think there is a common misunderstanding going around. At least imo.
Ronaldo says that he can’t promise anything - not even to his mother. The latter part refers to him having promised his mon that one day he would play in Spain. So by saying, he doesn’t promise his mom anything, he actually says that he can’t promise, he’ll play in Spain.
So there’s certainly some ambiguity in his statements, but he’s not saying, he wants to go to Real. Overinterpreting the latter part would mean that he would never go to Spain (that’s how rumours work the other way).
May 28th, 2008 at 11:26
I agree.
Ronaldo needs to step up and show some commitment to the club. We’re not asking him to swear undying loyalty and promise to be with the club forever. All we want to hear is that in the near future (i.e. next season) he’s going to be shivering his socks off at Old Trafford.
I fully expect him to move to Spain sometime in his career - but this blatant courting of Real is unacceptable. I’ve read/watched all his interviews since the champions league final and in none of them does he convincingly state he’ll be at United next season.
Maybe Ronnie thinks he’s done it all with United (I hope not!) and he wants new challenges in a different environment….hell I don’t know want he’s thinking….but if he’s not sure he wants to stay then fergie should make certain he doesn’t.
This might be a bit harsh for a player who has been amazing for us in the last two seasons….but hey…i’m ranting!
May 28th, 2008 at 11:26
An open letter to Ronaldo.
Dear Ronaldo,
At the outset, let me extend my deep gratitude on your outstanding service thus far to MUFC. The moments of sheer brilliance over the last few seasons are countless. You have, thus far, succeeded when everyone doubted you. You are a resilient fighter. You have wuthered numerous storms recently. You are an unbelievable talent and you deserve all the credit in the world. So, I would like to reiterate MUFC’s debt to you.
Speaking of debt, Ronaldo, and I know very well you might agree with what I’m about to say, I think you also should be indebted whole heartdly to many a factor during your development as a professional football player at Old Trafford.
Firstly to MUFC. Yes, to the club that bought you when you were a young boy and nurtured you to what you are today. The club gave you your status today. Lets be honest, Ronaldo, if you were still at Sporting Lisbon, I really cannot invasige your stature today as it is now. Now, you still might have been able to be the outstanding player you are at another big club, but honestly I cannot see another setting capable enough to make you the best player in the world in the span of four years.
Secondly, to Sir Alex Ferguson. The man who single handedly protected you and defended you when you were public enemy number one as a result of Wayne Rooney’s sending off at the last World Cup. He picked you up when you most needed it. Sir Alex was so aware of the amount of heat he was going to recieve as a result of that, but instead he faced up to this challenge and embraced you. Now that, Ronaldo, is one hell of a debt.
Thirdly, to the supporters of this great club. You probably realise by now that you are fast becoming a legend with the fans at the mere age of 23. An incredible feat that only a hand full of stars have succeeded in attaining. And believe you me, Ronaldo, this is not something easy to attain.
Fourthly, to your fellow players. Never forget, nor deny, the tremendous amount of support every single player gave you. You would have never become the player you are today without your collegues on and off the pitch.
The list goes on and on Ronaldo. One thing is certain though and that is no one knows what the future holds, as you rightly said in many ocassions when asked about your possible transfer to Real Madrid. So, if you ever decide to go, Ronaldo, I hope from the bottom of my heart that you keep these few humble thoughts in your mind and heart too.
Ronaldo, I thought very hard on how to sum up this letter to you. I have squeezed every brain cell in that process. It took me at least two MINUTES. So instead of wishing you well at a new club if you ever decide to move on, I am going to end with this:
Beckham, RVN, Heinze, are not missed at all.
Goodluck.
Sincerely,
One hell of a devoted Manchester United Football Club fan.
Nawaf, london
May 28th, 2008 at 11:37
Good point Tomas, maybe he can’t promise his mother that one day he will play in Spain. It would be great if the Real Madrid issue could be cleared up before the Euro’s, as if he has a cracking competion the rumour mill will be on full pace afterwards.
Also quite sorry to loose Pigue, especially as Fergie said under a week ago that he would not be selling anyone!! but thats football.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:37
Good one Nawaf. Hope Ron reads it by some stroke of luck
I agree with Tomas on the nature of some of the comments. When he says “I dream to play in Spain some day, but all dreams don’t come true” it suggests that he may never go to Madrid too. I don’t know what the hell’s going on in his mind, but I think he would be a fool to leave now.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:39
wow, spurs at it again, if they sign him, they have lost all credibility with me.
link.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:47
Fergie’s a massive hypocrite on this one, but then that’s never stopped him before. Love the man as we do, we’d be blind not to see similarties between this situation and some we’ve had in the past. Hargo is the obvious one, but there have been others (his Benzema comments were interesting…). Whatever, it’s part of the game. United are playing hardball to try to make Real look like a circus, not because they’re right. If they can convince Ronnie that Real are more about personalities than football, and point out the number of truly successful young players to develop there then hopefully they can get him to stay in Manchester for footballing reasons. That’s their goal.
I’m looking forward to tonight’s England friendly, just to see how Rooney operates in his formerly familiar/widely accepted as best support striker role. If he plays superbly wiht Dean Ashton, what are the odds of a cheeky bid I wonder…
Am enjoying the media circus that is Chelsea at the moment, but they’ll be back, probably with a superb coach next season. Should be interesting.
Re: Frazier Cambpell - he apparently had a wonderful year at Hull, and is very young, therefore I’d like to see him at least get a chance.
Re: Danny Wellbeck - again, had a great year with the reserves, but the jump up to United first XI is a big one, and he doesn’t appear quite ready. That said I hope we keep him or loan him out, as he does look quite good and it would be bl**dy wonderful to have a homegrown player in our squad for a change!
So here’s a fundamental question for you: If we have £50m to spend, should we spend it all? Or should we try to pay back some of the loan? For example, say we sell off a few players, and raise maybe £15m (Thinking Pique, Silvestre, Saha and a few youth/reserves) should we turn this straight around into the debt? So that one day we’ll be debt free? Or should we continue to play with the big boys in the transfer market? If we do, then what is the point of ‘buying young’?
Personally I’m of the belief that we need a strong striker, someone to lead the line and provide an aerial threat. If you consider that we have Brown for matches requiring tight D at RB, and Hargo for other matches, perhaps we don’t need a pricey RB at all, and should give Gary and Simmo a chance. CMF we should be fine, wings we should be fine barring multiple injuries and up front is covered.
My point is, we could flash out £20m on a striker such as Huntelaar, and use the rest to pay off some of the debts, moving us towards actual financial stability. Thoughts?
May 28th, 2008 at 11:54
Probably the most sensible option Beachryan, but unlikely. I think winning the CL we are now very high profile and an attractive proposition to players (not saying we weren’t anyway).
Maybe we should invest again but like you do believe Huntelaar would be a great signing.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:56
beach ryan, how did we tap up hargreaves? you see, when a team says a player is on the market, and someone makes a bid, thats the legal, should be done way, when a team have constantly said that a player will not be sold, and another team, say their gonna sign him, everyday, and unsettle the player, thats tapping. you see the difference.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:01
DRed, No mate, I don’t believe it is just Real M that are stoking up these things alone. Ronaldo every other interview is banging on about it’s my dream to play in Spain. Did you ever hear him once say “I am at my dream club Manchester United?.” He has had every opportunity to make it PLAIN, that he loves Man Utd, and he has no intention of leaving. We have developed in Ronaldo, club officials and fans alike, AN EGO THE SIZE OF ANTARCTICA AND AS COLD TOO, as far as his attitude to our beloved club goes. I am losing all respect for Fergie, because what other player has ever been allowed to hold United over a barrell, and out to dry as Ronaldo is doing, and not being disciplined for it AND PUT IN HIS PLACE. This has never happened before. Is Fergie going soft?. Ronnie should be told TO PUT UP AND SHUT UP. He really is making an idiot of Manchester UNited in almost all his double edged interviews, in front of the whole world. He deserves every lousy rant he gets on this blog, because he has been loved to the extreme by the United faithful, and he shits all over our club with his comments. Feck off Ronaldo!!!. I’m feckin sick of you!.
Nawaf, love your open letter mate!. Please do print it off, put it in an envelope, and send it to Ronaldo - care of Old Trafford football club. I have sent letters to Giggsy and Fergie, and they always get them, and I got kind replies.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:06
Stephen has the hit the nail on the head. The thing is, Beachryan, we are high on everyones list for having won the Champions League. People like Micah Richards, who openly admired Arsenal, might be tempted to join us. Now is the right time to finish off all the team preparations for many years to come. Im off the opinion that this might be the last busy summer we might see for some time. Of Course that also depends on Ronaldo…
May 28th, 2008 at 12:08
Crain MC. I think its partly to do with the fact that Ronnie never brings his attitude problems to the pitch. He gives his 100%. I also disagree. We have bought a Portugese with full knowledge that he’d want to go to Spain one day. We all knew this was coming. ronaldo will never say United is my dream club. But just enjoy while he is here and win as many as we can. We can rebuild once he is gone.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:10
Dan; We did tap up Hargreaves slightly. The difference here is that Hargreaves was 100% committed to leaving, Ronaldo is just craving the attention. We said we wanted to buy Hargreaves in public, Bayern said that he isn’t for sale. Then Hargreaves comes out and says “I want to leave Bayern” and that is where most of the tapping up allegations come from. We don’t know what went on behind the scenes, if anything. About Spurs, they actually did want Ramsey before us.
Regarding the whole Ronaldo issue, for now since Ronaldo has done very little wrong imo, all that matters to me is what he does on the pitch.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:32
Utsav, thanks for your comments mate, but I don’t agree with your philosophy on things!. If the case is, that Portuguese players will only come here to Old Trafford, to be developed into some of the best players in the world, and with a view to moving onto Spain when they become so, THEN DON’T BUY ANY MORE PORTUGUESE PLAYERS!. You have stated the same philosophy as Schuster at Madrid, that Man Utd trained Ronaldo into the best in the world doing a great job FOR MADRID!. For feck’s sake, have we become a feckin feeder club all of a sudden?. If Ronaldo plays for us next season, I won’t be drooling at the mouth, shouting my bleeding head off for him and his every move. I find it hard to enjoy watching people who like Ronaldo are just using us as a make piece for his greater ambitions. No way will my Salford mates and I be enjoying watching him next season. And I hope our other lads, who are Man Utd thru and thru, will have FAR, FAR BETTER SEASON than big head Ronaldo. Sorry Utsav mate, I am not shouting and swearing at you, but livid with Ronaldo and his “I ONLY LOVE RONNIE” outlook.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:38
i just read that keano has been linked with the chelsea job!!! hahaha
May 28th, 2008 at 12:49
no conor, we made a bid inthe summer which was rejected, we made a bid for him in January that was rejected, only because bayern didnt want to lose a player half way through the season, we made a bid in the summer that was accepted. real, for the past 2 or 3 years have repeatedly said we want ronaldo and this summer have been saying this pretty much everyday, we have already said we will not sell, ronaldo has already said he’s staying, hargreves wanted to go, ad bayern had no objections. theres a big difference to what we did, and what real are doing.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:51
I think its up to Charlie Q and Fergie to sit down with the lad and sort the situation out.
If he has his heart set on a move the he should go. His stock is very high and he could and will command a very high fee. Being realistic he won’t score the goals he did this season again, so maybe to cash in on him would be for the best, especially if he does not want to be at the club which to be honest made him.
Fergie stuck by him when he had problems not just during the world cup but also with Ruud, who was sold ironically to Real!!
May 28th, 2008 at 12:52
Please, I beg you , read my comment No.73 on the previous article.
You may see these two youtube clips instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QoRV7JuQOc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgtZQUctwh4 (3:50)
On the second one ,time 3:50 , you will fucking laugh.
It’s Anderson dribbling Fabregas.He makes his intentions well known to Cesc while he is still playing for Porto.And he made him look like a stooooopid monkey.Fcking great moment!
May 28th, 2008 at 12:53
Craig, i have no problems with your contradicting views. Neither do i have a problem with your screams and cursing. I can totally understand us fans concern. I have my friends who are frusttrated with his dilly dallying. The reason why i had a bit of non chalance in my write up was because im confident of 1 thing. United has made him. Without United, he is nothing. He will be no more than a robinho or a Sniejder in Spain who are good but not the great that United has made Ronaldo. Our play revolves around 2-3 players including Ronaldo. In a years time even that problem will be solved once his replacement is set. So let him go, if he wants to. Atleast he helped us fulfill our UCL ambitions.
Also, WE ARE NOT A FEEDER and thats for sure. but we do have some retirement homes for our players benefits. Sunderland, Real Madrid.. All retirement homes.
May 28th, 2008 at 13:00
Utsav - thanks mate!. Hahaha - love your players retirement comments.
May 28th, 2008 at 13:02
Why sell Ronaldo? Here goes:
-> He is at incredible heights and the transfer fees that he is linked to are outrageous. You never know if next season he will be as good and will command as much money. We would be pulling a Wenger if that will be the case.
-> Hopefully he will not deflate like Ronaldinho did after his double. But if he does than United are heading in one direction: second place.
-> Real make a bloody good offer and by that I mean two of Robinho, Casillas and Ramos plus money. If they actually make that offer and Ferguson refuses I would be pissed at him, not Real Madird.
That is all I have…
May 28th, 2008 at 13:12
Andrei.. touche…
May 28th, 2008 at 13:15
Andrie; I agree with your third point. Casillas and Ramos for Ronaldo would be a deal I’d be perfectly happy with, or one of them and £30m. While it is fair to say he may not have as good a season next season, he is a lot younger than Ronaldinho so I still think he has 2 more years before he peaks, which is really frightening. I have one more reason:
-> If Real get him, the chances are they will win the league. When they win the league, we win the league. It’s a win-win situation.
Dan; You seem annoyed at me?
We did tap him up, that is the truth. Real Madrid have taken it to a whole other level and have every chance of getting away with it, but we tapped up Hargreaves a bit. Real Madrid talk about Ronaldo as if they have already bought him.
May 28th, 2008 at 13:33
Ronaldo will play with United until Fergie retires…
May 28th, 2008 at 14:13
no conor, not at all :wink:, i just think we got hargo the right and fair way.
May 28th, 2008 at 14:19
now i know its only tribal, but still.
link.
coincidence, i think not.
CQ and the pana couch are good friends, he is their hottest prospect, this rumour was bound to come eventually and for that reason, im backing this as true.
May 28th, 2008 at 14:23
Dan; I could write a better football article than this:
“Manchester United and Arsenal are following Panathinaikos whizkid Sotiris Ninis.
The 18 year-old has already been capped by Greece and is being watched by both Premiership clubs in international friendly action. “
Tribalfootball is absolute bollocks and I don’t no why you read it.
May 28th, 2008 at 14:32
Craig Mc - Fair comments mate. I know wat ur trying to say and im no means blind to the fact that ronaldo has shown desrespect to our fine clud wit the comments he has made regarding his future. But the main point i was trying to make is that while ronaldo has refused to commit his future to man utd, real on their part have not helped matters wit their outragous behavour and constsntly making remarks to the press on how hed fit in perfectly with their system.
May 28th, 2008 at 14:36
this rumour was bound to come up conor, eventually.
its true that tribal talks a lot of bull shit, but every now and again, they come up with the odd, true rumour, they where the first to report anderson to us, i dismissed it, and look what happend, sometimes they do speak the truth.
May 28th, 2008 at 14:38
I have told you about this ninis rumour before tribal did.
Peceiro , Panathinaikos’s coach has been fired and he gave Ninis no time to play.
Anyway,maybe the scouters just follow his steps.It’s not a good idea he is a very determined lad he can use both feet,technically gifted and plays like he’s older
May 28th, 2008 at 14:43
Regarding Ninis.
A few greek sides were linking him to Milan today.
I hope we get to him first.
May 28th, 2008 at 14:44
sorry i meant it’s not a bad idea and there are no greek sites linking him with milan
May 28th, 2008 at 14:51
Nikos
http://www.sport.gr/default.asp?pid=4&aid=12875 (Greek site)
I hope i linked correctly.
May 28th, 2008 at 15:04
Hey guys, looks like even a defender review has turned into a Ronaldo discussion
. Seriously though, I am getting fed up with his constant attention seeking. If he is indeed doing this for the pay hike, why is he playing it out in the media.
.
I remember Fergie saying something like: if Ronaldo gets 30 goals in the league, I will have to give him a hike. He said this wen Ronaldo reached 30 goals in all competitions. So, I guess Fergie needs to keep his word, but then ronaldo playing this out in the media is not wats expected out of a united player and I would be surprised if fergie’s hair dryer will not be dispatched to the portugal euro training camp soon with written instructions to scolari on how to use it
Coming to the striker situation, what do you guys think abt robbie keane. he is strong, a good leader and professional, pacy, and can be both a fox in the box type poacher and a creative player. he not that old too at 27. fergie was rumoured to be looking for a experienced striker, and apparently had keane on his radar a few times earlier.
May 28th, 2008 at 15:12
I just don’t think we need someone like Robbie Keane. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is fantastic, but he just doesn’t fit the bill: he is short, has a shorter fuse than Rooney and plays a second striker in his best position. I would go for someone like Klose.
Seriously guys, is anybody else sick of talking about Ronaldo? I suggest we stop talking abot him: …now.
May 28th, 2008 at 15:21
DRed - I hear you mate - thanks! I know where your coming from re Madrid!.
May 28th, 2008 at 15:30
Dan; That is because they take the article of every newspaper in Europe and talk as if it is true. They are bound to be right sometimes. Still, why do you read it? It seems quite boring if you know 95% of it isn’t true, why not wait until it comes out on some decent website?
Andrei; Definitely bored of the Ronaldo talk.
May 28th, 2008 at 15:37
Sorry one last comment about Ronaldo! Well I don’t want to sound too pessimistic or anything, but has anyone noticed how much of a co-incidence it is that SAF has said he will retire in three years time, which (correct me if I’m wrong) is around about the same time Ronaldo’s current deal expires. Am I the only one who can smell a rat somewhere here??
May 28th, 2008 at 15:51
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_3621779,00.html
wtf?
May 28th, 2008 at 16:00
@zzxxrrss If you read the story it says that the information comes from Tuttomercatoweb.No greek journalist has said anything about this.Even if it is true then they have the same scouting view on ninis like Manchester and Arsenal. If all this information says something then it should be on contra.gr and sportdog.gr
It doesn’t mean theat a big European team will buy him.If somebody does hope it’s MU
May 28th, 2008 at 16:11
1. This is a business, and you can’t blame ronaldo for wanting to be among the highest paid players in the world. He has worked his ass off and he deserves to be rewarded.
2. How long did ronaldo tell the press that he was happy at united? All fucking year! It was even reported on this site that ronaldo was getting sick and tired of answering the same dumb questions. Dont get mad at him now because he is angling for a new contract.
3 at this point in time real Madrid are a step down from united. Madrid are nowhere close to competing for the champions league, and this united team is poised to be a force in Europe for atleast the next 3 years. The same can’t be said for Madrid.
4. We dont need the money, so please shut up about the debt. How many of you owe the bank money for your house? I bet most of you own a house that is worth 6-7 times your salary. But does that make you financially unstable? Then why do people think united are in trouble, when the glazers could buy out the debt tommorow? In the end it would be bad business to buy a billion dollar club in cash.
Rant over
glory glory Manchester united
May 28th, 2008 at 16:25
[ali]
Whoa! Queiroz actually said that??
“But I am convinced that despite pressure from the Spanish sporting press he will not accept to change his nationality.”
I know Ronaldo isn’t one of the loyalty and integrity types, but surely the Spaniards are insane if they think that Ronaldo will play in their Spanish shirt one day!
May 28th, 2008 at 16:33
Mihir; It would be literally impossible for him to play for Spain’s national team. I’m sure that isn’t what he meant.
May 28th, 2008 at 17:04
[Conor] Yeah, weird comments from CQ though.
By the way, the Evra deal hasnt been finalised yet. AC Milan, Juventus and Inter all seem to be very interested in him. He is a very important piece of the jigsaw and he should be kept off limits by us! The only transfer related news coming out of the official site seems to be the Ronaldo crap and Pique leaving. A very BARREN summer indeed
May 28th, 2008 at 17:32
I’m getting sick of this crap from Real. Seriously they really have made themselves fools by being this way and it’s annoying. They think that they are a great club? United is the best club and Real is just sore losers. I mean they couldn’t even overcome Roma LOL.
Anyway, about the striker solution, I’m quite surprised no one mentioned El’ Kun. I know he is built in the Rooney and Tevez mold but I think he is just the same as Benzema. I wouldn’t mind having Huntelaar though, I’m totally going to watch Netherlands in Euro just to asess him.
Btw RR, hope you wouldn’t mind me changing my nick from Park no.1 fan to this =D
Cheers.
May 28th, 2008 at 18:09
Jez: Mate you contradict yourself in the same sentence “I know he is built in the Rooney and Tevez mold but I think he is just the same as Benzema.” Impossible, unless you meant Kun and Benzema were the same price-wise, in which case you are absolutely right as both would probably require £40m+ bids for their respective clubs to even think about parting company with them.
I really really hope we can secure the signature of Huntelaar at least before Euro 2008, and would be over the moon if we could sign Micah Richards too. I don’t want Luis Fabiano or Dani Alves however.
May 28th, 2008 at 18:18
Also, what do people think of Dani Guiza (27 y/o) of Real Mallorca as a possible striking target? He’s in the Spain squad for Euro 2008 and finished top scorer in La Liga this season. He’s also been linked with Arsenal. Although he seems like a flash-in-the-pan one-hit wonder at first, on the couple of times I have seen him play I couldn’t help but note the strong physical presence and good heading ability he possesses, which I think we could most certainly use next year. He could turn out to be a late bloomer like Luca Toni….
May 28th, 2008 at 18:42
Dont know if anybody has posted this, but according to Ronaldos girlfriend, Nereida Gallardo, Ronaldo has proposed to her. I dont think that is a good sign. According to The Sun, Ronaldo had promised her to marry her if Unied won the Champions League. Her ex-boyfriend has said that she is a sex-maniac that can knowhow to satisfy every man in every possible way and he is surprised that their relationship has gone so far, since he thought Ronaldo would get tired of her. She only wants money and to be in the headlines, and I dont think it is good for Ronaldo to have a girlfriend like that at this time. He said he didnt want to get married until he was 30, so his personal life wouldnt make problems for him, but now…
May 28th, 2008 at 18:46
Here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1214459.ece
May 28th, 2008 at 18:58
@RedDevil
Lets not behave crazy fans… Leave the personal lives out!! Even though it may be relevent its none of our business… Else there is no difference between us and E News worshippers!!
PS: Just a personal opinion…
May 28th, 2008 at 18:58
craigmc, could not agree with you more mate, its starting to get to me the way Ronaldo is treating the club with so much contempt. I dont blame Real Madrid coz thats the way that they operate, its disgusting and disrespectful but lets be honest here, Real dont give a toss about United or any club that have a player that they want and the whole world knows that. But the attitude of Ronaldo is even more disgusting coz at the very least he should be displaying some genuine emotional ties to the manager, players and fans that have supported him so much through thick and thin. He owes United so much for his development yet everytime he opens his mouth he talks about dreaming of spain, does he not realise that to play for United is an honour and a privelige that most of the supporters would do for nothing, We are the biggest club in the world with a history that rivals any other team on the planet and before you people start to mention Reals 9 European cups, go and study the history of Real and you will see a club that was embroilled in political corruption and a club that was used for propaganda purposes by the Spanish dictator Franco.
DONT beleive me, just google Real Madrid and General Franco, and see what comes up.
SAF has indulged this boys ego more than anybodies that I can remember and its a shame coz the boy appears to love no one but himself and its actually starting to hurt me that this ungrateful meglomaniac is treating our club like something he trod on in the street, who does he think that he is. If he comes out in 2 or 3 weeks and says that he is staying and that he loves the club then fine I will hold my hands up and say maybe I was a bit OTT, but even if he does, part of me will never trust him again the feeling that he is using us as a stepping stone to his dream team in Madrid will still linger.
Thats why the people who go to OT every week still love Wazza more than Ronaldo, coz Wazza is genuinely, one of us.
May 28th, 2008 at 19:37
Craig MC, I agree ewith most of what you say, except that if the club asks Ronaldo to “put up or shut up” as you say, this might lead to a rift between the player and the club, and who will benefit from this?
Real Fucking Madrid!
They would be able to get Ronny on the cheap, which is the last thing I want.
But I also agree with Johnsom comment #46.
May 28th, 2008 at 19:49
Hey I think I’ll just open a new can of worms, seeing as the discussion seems to be going round and round…
Picture this : Ronaldo Leaves!
Who should we buy to replace him?
Personally I’d go for Quaresma.
May 28th, 2008 at 19:51
Nino: Yeah, I kinda have that streak in me to contradict myself LOL.. But what I’m trying to say is that they are not the the tall type of player we are looking for but Aguero is awesome and if Atl. Madrid raised him the way they raised Torres, wouldn’t it be a shame that we didn’t buy him as early as possible?
Fred The Red: Your ending couldn’t have been anymore truer, Rooney is United’s next Gazza, Giggsy or Scholesy.
May 28th, 2008 at 21:46
Nico QB - How do you make that out mate?. Ronaldo has still over 3 years of his contract left, so even if he is asked to put up or shut up, and it causes friction, how does that mean United will sell him on the cheap. We have never done that with any of the players we sold to Real, and I doubt we will start with Ronaldo.
Fred the Red, I see your passion mate LOL. You do have a true red heart, that’s for sure!.
May 28th, 2008 at 21:48
[Dan]
Tribal Football don’t “break” any news. They link any player to anyone, and amidst that randomness something comes out to be true. It’s like the analogy of a million monkeys on typewriters where one monkey comes up with the works of shakespeare.
Tribal Football just copy paste reports from the Sun, the Guadian etc, pick up specific lines and blow them out of proportion to attract traffic. If you want that, then power to you. Other than guilty pleasures, there is really no point quoting Tribal Football. I’m not telling you not to read Tribal Football [personally I wouldn't] but quoting them for transfer rumours is a waste of time. We already have enough bull shit to deal with.
Them getting Anderson right is not to their credit. And is not a reason for you to defend them. It’s like someone defending Hitler for sparing the life of one Jew, because he was in a good mood.
May 28th, 2008 at 22:02
fair enough, that your view.
May 28th, 2008 at 22:04
[Dan]
Yes, it’s indeed my view. Pretty sure of it.
May 28th, 2008 at 22:06
Craig MC: Twice we sold players on the cheap To Real.
Beckham: 25million was it? Word goes that Real recouped the investment after a month with T-Shirt sales.
RVN: The one player who has made a difference in the last 2 years for Real. the Socios calling him Van Gol, etc… What was his price tag? 11 millions?
So, yes I thought Real could have coughed up at least twice the transfer figuers we got for Beckham and RvN, especially when you consider the ridiculous amount they spent on Pepe, Diarra…
Forgive my figures I can’t remember if it was pounds or Euros…
May 28th, 2008 at 22:08
[Nico]
We sold the players on the cheap because we wanted to sell them and they fell out with the boss. If that happens the value of the player plummets.
May 28th, 2008 at 22:09
Actually we even made a marginal profit on Gaby Heinze even though we were desperate to sell him to anyone but Pool
May 28th, 2008 at 22:23
NicoQB, I hear you mate, but I think it was good money at that time for Beckham, because of transfer fees at that time. Fees have only become outrageously magnified, since Red Rom came into power at the Chelsea Kremlin!. Surely in the last 2/3 years transfer fees have doubled, and not to hte good of the game either!. Ruud was like 29 wasn’t he, so he only had a few years left!.
May 28th, 2008 at 22:29
May 29th, 2008 at 0:12
I think Andrei’s view earlier is spot on. Seriously if we got offered Robinho and Ramos, Ronnie would be out the door faster than you could say ‘winker’. I think that just for the fun of it we should offer him to Atletico for Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez. Now that would be some swap and would piss off Real to the max… Sure we could even get Diego Forlan back
May 29th, 2008 at 0:22
No offense, and a little bit off topic, but that girl(Ronnie’s GF) looks a lil bit of a slut…not being judgemental
May 29th, 2008 at 0:28
…and also a question about the Brazillian twins, are they going to get intergrated into the first team like Anderson or will they start off in the reserves like Possebon.
May 29th, 2008 at 0:35
[Rd]
Why the “no offense”? Who did you think you would offend by calling her a slut on this blog? Ronaldo?
May 29th, 2008 at 0:48
Definitely agree with you Rd, she looks like bad news for Ronaldo and to certain extent for United..
May 29th, 2008 at 2:39
RR and Craig Mc: My point precisely. We all know that Ronaldo’s a dick when it comes to showing gratitude to the club that made him.
Yet, if Real comes to know that if for sure Ronaldo wants to leave, resulting from an ultimatum from the Manchester board or from SAF, then they could again get him “on the cheap”. While they might have broken the bank to get him (and we’re clearly talking world record fee here), they might just consider giving a bit less, knowing that the balance might shift in their favour.
This “bit less” can amount up to easily 15 million £, or 1 or 2 players in the balance as part exchange. Just my thoughts.
About Ruud, Craig.. For a player of 29, the performance he came up with at Real clearly shows he wanrranted a much bigger transfer fee. We’re not talking about a very good striker here, Ruud was just simply world-class.
Oh, and anyone ever notice the fact that Kluivert was born on the very same day, same year as RvN. One’s struggling to find a decent team to play with, and the other is the campione of Spain. :O
May 29th, 2008 at 2:43
[Nico]
Hargreaves was desperate to move to United, that didn’t stop us from paying well over the odds for him.
Fact is despite what Ronny wants United still have the upper hand because he’s signed up on a lengthy contract with us. Fergie would rather keep him for another season than sell him for much less than his market value. The difference between the instances you quoted (Beckham, RvN, Heinze) and Ronaldo is that the manager does not want to sell Ronny.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:31
wow, these guys rate manu quite highly dont they,
link.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:07
Nico, there’s no way, even if Ronaldo explicitly states he will start scoring won goals five times a game for us, that he will go on the cheap. Even if he wanted to leave we would still be in a position where we could just say no to both him and Real. If he leaves this summer, or even next, it’ll be for a world record fee, probably around £70 million but more likely to involve players.
Even if we wanted to sell him, we’d still be able to get a damn good price. Plus, we could always tell Ronney to break his legs in training before the transfer. Or do like the scousers to Gerrard and make Ronaldo an offer he can’t refuse.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:17
Guys come on - that girl looks exactly what’s right for Ronaldo. She’s naughty like a mf, and who wouldn’t want to do her? Good for you, Ronaldo.
Nico QB and everyone else who think we should go for Quaresma - He’s no where near United potential. He’s the most overrated player in a long time, and buying him would be a disaster. Luckily I think, SAF thinks the same, and we’ll never see him here.
May 29th, 2008 at 14:39
Yeah I have nothing against Ronaldo’s taste in women lookswise….she is stunning. Im sure she is mostly interested in his money and the celebrity but if he is content with a trophy girlfriend/wife fair play to the lad. But I am sure she can wrap him round her little finger and if they get engaged or married and she wants to move to Spain he’ll do it.
On the Real issue, I think Real are under the illusion that buying Ronaldo will convert them from a team that can just about win a fairly easy Spanish league (especially since Barcelona have been in free-fall) and consistently crash out early on in the Champions League into world beaters, and driven by this they can be convinced to pay over the odds especially if we are able to get Ronaldo to stay if they do not meet our valuation. If we can get some of their best players such as Ramos and Robinho as part of the deal (or even Diarra who I wanted us to sign a few years back) that is even better. Pulling a figure out of the air how about 70 million.
With 70 million we could get two or three world class players who could improve two or three positions significantly. We’d also have our regular transfer budget to spend to add a couple more players. We’d be less of a one-man team and that is what Id prefer, because form does not last forever and excellent as Ronaldo is sooner or later his form will dip (or he will get injured) and so long as our team is built around him, when that happens we will really really really suffer
May 29th, 2008 at 16:33
Hmm you’re probably right that we’ll still get a huge fee for Ronnie if the transfer went through.
But its just that I don’t remember us selling a great player recently for his true market value. Heck even Jaap Stam was sold on the cheap.
So I guess its more a matter of whether the player in question is in Fergie’s good books.