Jul 24
Irresponsible Media Stir Up Another Storm
Various media outlets, including the Guardian, have run up headlines like ‘Tevez: Let Ronaldo go to Real’ or ‘Ronaldo should be allowed to go to Real - Tevez’.
Here is what the actual quotes look like, in English (considering these have been translated from Spanish, surely):
“It is clear he is a very important player for us but this is a personal decision, which is up to him only. I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to pay at Real Madrid. I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United but, if what he seeks is something else, that should be respected. I have not talked to him but, when these things happen, neither side feels good.”
Pray, tell me how this is anything but a diplomatic reply to a question that’s been asked ad infinitum throughout the summer? Yes, one must respect a player’s wishes. And United have not slagged Ronaldo for expressing his interests. [They have just respectfully told him that he's going nowhere, at least for now -- but that's besides the point.] I just don’t see where Tevez says United must let Ronaldo go.
Tevez’s quotes are not even remotely earth shattering. They are the usual, ‘this is a personal decision, it’s upto him, club X is a good club but so is my club blah blah … the only way to settle this is by a deathmatch in a cage‘ you get the drift.
If anything, it is surprising to see a diplomatic reply from a player who runs like a terrier on the field (one who also turned up at a Boca Juniors press conference in a Manchester United shirt).
Whilst this sort of word twisting is not particularly new, it is extremely annoying to see a player like Tevez, who has been going about his business quietly, get dragged into a controversy of not his creating.
Mr. Mark Ogden (the man who ran the story on the Guardian), shame on you — and your editor.
Related items from Red Rants:- Tevez for £32m? Tevez Quotes Denied + Kaizer Chiefs Friendly
- United 4-0 Wigan: The Goals Are Coming!
- Twists Galore as Tevez Saga Continues
- An Open Letter to England Fans
- Lull After the Storm
Tags: Opinions/Columns
July 24th, 2008 at 8:31
spot on - every word
they really need to grow up, these idiots
July 24th, 2008 at 9:12
not only that, but the article was in AS, which the Guardian failed to mention.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:31
frackin british media, instead of them trying to support and praise the English and European champions, they are busy aiding Platini and Blatter’s plans to bring down English football starting with ManUtd. Not one positive story has been printed about United since we won the double, heck, we were not even allowed to parade our trophies. It’s sad, it’s like the English don’t enjoy success, maybe that’s why we suck at sports!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 9:43
Totally irresponsible. It’s more than likely going to irritate the fans as SAF will know it’s BS. Anything to sell tabloids these days.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:57
Sorry to be a pedant but Carlitos wore the United shirt at a Corinthians press conference
July 24th, 2008 at 10:02
i have just seen that berbatov can go to ac milan or barca for 25mil but united have to pay 30mil if that is true we should go after huntelaar
July 24th, 2008 at 10:07
You guys need 2 see this..!
That boy really has lost his mind..!
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/2008/07/football_fashio_14.html
July 24th, 2008 at 10:31
Tevez only said what Red Ranter has been saying, ie let him go…
July 24th, 2008 at 10:33
I’m going to disagree with you here, RR. I don’t think Tevez was totally neutral in his reply. “A personal decision which is up to him only” and “if what he seeks is something else, that should be respected” says nothing about Ronaldo’s contractual obligation to the club. I can understand how those words could be construed as somewhat sympathetic to CR, though I agree that the media has made too much of it.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:36
Truthfully I would have liked him to back the club like Michael Carrick, who said why would anyone want to leave United rather than, “Every footballer wants to pay at Real Madrid” a little naive I would say considering what has been happening for the past two months.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:44
But what about the websites including this one run by RR who has openly posted “let him go”. Isn’t that irresponsible too? We’ve already seen the rise of the numpties at a recent reserve game…
July 24th, 2008 at 10:46
This is just symptomatic of the media reacting to what has been a really slow and boring close season by anyone’s standards. Makes me really pleased that I’m almost as big a cricket fan, so I have something interesting
to get me through to August 16.
This, by the way, is really bad news. With Ronaldo already injured and Hargreaves doubtful, Park was one of the few players in the squad who could genuinely provide us with width. Fingers crossed that Fergie’s optimism is not misplaced with either.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:39
You know, I don’t really blame anyone on this one. Firstly, I kind of support Carlos’ view, and also view him as the kind of honest character who would have no problem expressing his opinion. I mean, there’s no reason to keep Ronaldo if he wants to leave, what annoys me isn’t that he wants to go, but the way he’s behaved.
And the media act in their own best interest - to sell papers. So of course its worth reporting, because it’s both relevant and people care.
The real blame lies at the feet of two parties: Mr I can’t commit to anything but please ask me because I like the limelight Ronaldo and all of those buying the papers.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:18
On another tangent, I found this story at the times on wage bills. It shows just how much Chelski are taking the piss.
£40m more! Jesus Christ, that’s depressing. And totally outrageous - sometimes you need cold hard numbers to emphasise just how silly things have become.
It’s a worrying state of affairs when the second biggest wage-payer can see merit in a salary cap. And it makes me feel sorry for Arsenal, albeit in a slightly condescending way.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:19
football.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk
I think a few emails to the above address might be in order to point out the inaccuracies in their journalism….
July 24th, 2008 at 12:42
Well this could all be a ploy from Carlito, saying every player wants to sign for Real, posibly trying to scare United to sign him on a permanent deal.
July 24th, 2008 at 13:41
can anyone please tell me where the fuck Manucho is??
He was meant to be with the pre season squad?
July 24th, 2008 at 14:04
Fuck those media assholes. I pray that august 31st 11.59 pm reaches soon. As for ronaldo i am really sick of this story and it never goes away does it. I hope we shall boo him every single match or if he shows up at OT.
As for transfers, i think ferguson is really going to push up our youth players rather than sign new players. I think its the reason why we arent signing.
July 24th, 2008 at 14:13
@James Ryddel: The media have involved themselves in twisting of words given by a player. There is nothing irresponsible about stating an opinion about a player, which was what I did. And if you’ve read my stance on Ronaldo clearly, I am not advocating selling Ronaldo. And even if I did, it would be my opinion which leads me to ask how is having an opinion, different from yours, considered irresponsible?
July 24th, 2008 at 14:14
Why would Tevez even say this shite
July 24th, 2008 at 14:51
Possebon on his way to join the squad fo the final to games in Africa !!!(along with Cathcart and some other player)…. great news, can’t wait to see him in the senior squad!!
Also.. a little off topic.. but i would like to know how you guys feel about Roy Keane since he became sunderland manager… i loved the guy so much when he was playing for us but lately i feel he’s been a bit of a hypocrite… last year he mentioned the managers he respected in the EPL, and none of them were SAF, and worst of all, he left the club after criticizing some of our players saying they didnt have the heart he expected. Fair enough but why would he then go signing the same knid of players he hates??? Richardson, Yorke, and now we hear he wants to sign Chimbonda (the worst kind of player that exists) to a 55K a week contract as well as Kaboul…
July 24th, 2008 at 14:56
He has turned into a bit of a rent a quote I must say, and I am certainly not convinced of him as a premiership manager, I don’t think he ever had a problem with Yorkie though.
I loved him as a player and was in Turin on that great night and he was superb, will never forget that performance I will always love him.
July 24th, 2008 at 15:28
@B: link, i cant get on the united website for some reason…
July 24th, 2008 at 15:33
Any United fan who boos Ronaldo is every bit as bad as Ronaldo has been over the last few weeks. Booing one of your own would be a clueless and classless act and any so called Red should be ashamed of himself for doing so.
July 24th, 2008 at 15:38
The Tevez quotes annoy me too. I’d have much rather he said something like “Manchester United are the best club in the world and I do not understand why anyone would want to play anywhere else”
But I reckon Tevez is unsure of his position at the club and sees Real as a possible destination himself so is avoiding stirring things up
July 24th, 2008 at 15:45
Regarding being irresponsible. RR don’t you see the blatant hypocrisy of your posting? You have given your opinion that Ronaldo should be sold, which as you say you are entitled to do. However, when someone else, ie the Guardian reports that Tevez has done likewise then you go off on one, when you’ve already advocated selling Ronaldo, in doing so pissing petrol of the anti Ronaldo fire storm….And let’s be clear, forget the Guardian headline, or as you put this ‘twisting words’ Tevez is saying the player should be allowed to join Madrid.
Some fans will take more notice of a fan site than a newspaper site and so we all have a duty to be responsible.
How embarrassing will it actually be when our own so called fans start booing Ronaldo? We will be a laughing stock.
July 24th, 2008 at 15:54
@James Ryddel:
You have given your opinion that Ronaldo should be sold, which as you say you are entitled to do
Which is where you are wrong. I haven’t advocated Ronaldo to be sold. I have been disappointed with his attitude toward the fans. But I have not advocated selling Ronaldo. All I have said is that United hold the upper hand whatever happens to Ronaldo.
And I don’t condone those who went with the slave Ronaldo banners. But at the same time there is no rule book that says you can’t boo a player even though I personally won’t do it.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:14
Only a complete muppet would boo their own players.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:16
@James Ryddel: I doubt that many OT fans will be booing CR - it is simply not something that Utd fans do (generally speaking). For evidence of this check out the post over at the Republik of Mancunia. However, no longer singing Viva Ronaldo is definitely in order.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:18
well, that bastard is stirring up news to trouble united’s morale. well, he cant turn united apart.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:19
And again, where is the hypocrisy in it?
– I never advocated selling Ronaldo although I don’t have the respect I used to have for him.
– I really saw the headline as an attempt to twist what Tevez said. The fact is, this was reportage, not a column. Tevez suggests that Ronaldo’s opinion be respected if he so desires to do what he wants to do. It was not an assertion where he says “United, sell Ronaldo”.
– What has my opinion on Ronaldo have to do with looking at an article and analyzing what I think to be right? If I am wrong it will be suggested in the comments, as you yourself have done so.
I have no ulterior motives here. I don’t respect Ronaldo the person. But I know Ronaldo the player is still a key component of our team. If anything I have suggested that Fergie start planning and grooming a replacement as to prepare for the eventual departure of Ronaldo (perhaps next season?) I really don’t know where you got the “RR is in the sell Ronaldo bandwagon” from.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:21
@James Ryddel: Honestly I don’t think United fans will boo Ronaldo. But as Eric said there will be fewer songs sung early on.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:24
@James Ryddel: Only a complete muppet would win the champions league and the toughest league in europe and then think moving to Real Madrid is a good idea!
July 24th, 2008 at 16:45
RR - regarding your own position. You seem to be somewhat sitting on the fence then, by that I mean you’ll happily accept whatever happens? And yes, we know that you’re not happy with Ronaldo, but who is?
You also appear to be happy to allow anti Ronaldo feelings to spread via your site, because as you say fans can if they so wish boo our own stars. Further to which fans arguing with each other isn’t a good thing and I can see some bad things happening once the season starts…especially if our fans boo Ronaldo.
My own view is that United need to retain Ronaldo at all costs - which is the same view as Fergie’s, we should all respect his wishes on this one, after all he knows better than the rest of us.
It is getting tiresome though and the sooner this matter is resolved the better.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:51
@James Ryddel: To be accurate, I am not happy with the way things have gone over the summer. I am really hurt and disappointed with the way he’s handled the situation. I trust the decision of the management and Ferguson over the handling of Ronaldo is how I’d want to put it. Ferguson has dumped many players, so if he really wants to hold on to Ronaldo then he must surely have a bloody good reason for it.
But regarding fomenting anti-Ronaldo feelings via my site, what happens in the comments section i.e., the opinions of the other commenters is not my responsibility as long as they don’t violate my comments policy. Anyone can talk anything about United even if I completely disagree with what he says as long as there are no personal attacks on other fellow commenters.
Once a community grows on a site, I can’t go about on a rampage as a moral police trying to kick any dissenter out of my site. That’s not why this was setup and that is against my belief in free speech.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:51
Ngog completes move to Anfield
Check this out: one of the brightest young talents in French football” and “lightening quick”, although Ngog, the cousin of the former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong,
And the kicker:
managed just one goal in 18 matches for PSG last season
July 24th, 2008 at 16:52
@James Ryddel, this site is called RED RANTS mate and everyone is entitled to their opinion.
July 24th, 2008 at 16:55
@James Ryddel:
I think you’ll find that the freedom to express your opinion, no matter how controversial, is one of the things that draws most people to this site and retains them as regular posters.
Jesus, what sort of cotton wool-padded world do you live in? Should we all just listen to what Fergie says and chant it to each other like it was gospel?
Edit: or you’re just a troll, and I’ve just given you exactly the response you’re looking for.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:01
@Stephen: To be honest, I think, James’ point was about me needing to be more responsible about what I post in the main blog content. Whilst I do attempt to be responsible and I thank him for giving constructive criticism (even though I disagreed with what he perceived as my hypocrisy) everyone is free to do as they please on the comments as long as there no personal attacks, as you said.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:05
@Penguin: Penguin, I am pretty sure James is not a troll. He himself runs a very very good Manchester United blog (Link) and I don’t think his intentions are malicious.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:09
@ Red Ranter, I was just protecting your honour Sir!
July 24th, 2008 at 17:15
I’m sorry RR but I am going to be awfully predictable here and disagree with your take as well. The bottom line is what he said was WRONG. And those comments are attributed to him with quotation marks. As bad and as sleazy as the media is, they are very careful when it comes to direct quotes. The one thing they hate is is being sued over misquoting somebody. Theories, rumors and conjecture are fine and they are free to blacken somebody’s name with that garbage because there are no quotes involved. But when you place quotation marks on something somebody said, you are immediately liable.
Tevez is not showing a great deal of disrespect to Manchester United but he is showing an ignorance of the rules, of contractual agreements and above all, he is aligning himself with a player who is not looking out for the best interests of Manchester United. You cannot go out and say things like “if what he seeks is something else, that should be respected.” and “Every footballer wants to pay at Real Madrid. I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United.” Those are loony toon quotes. Why should Ronaldo be respected for wanting to break a five year contract? Why should he be respected for placing the team in unneeded turmoil and stress after a victory that should have been savored instead of quickly forgotten? And how is it possible that every player wants to play for Real Madrid and Manchester United. Obviously that is a ridiculous generalization and also incredibly false. I am sure there are many players who would rather die than to play for either of those two teams. Not every Spanish or Portuguese speaking player in the World thinks of Real. Many grow up loving Barcelona, Atletico or even some Italian clubs. Certainly not every English player loves United. Many brought up in Liverpool or London for example would think twice if United came a calling. And then there are thousands of players throughout the world who may support or love other teams. Contrary to what many might think, the world does not revolve around Real Madrid and Manchester United. That’s so simplistic and also very insulting to many players who have grown up hating these teams both on the pitch as well as off.
Tevez may actually be very loyal to United but there is a desire in him I believe for other parts of the football world but at present, nobody is knocking on his door. Could this statement actually be an invitation to Real Madrid to possibly come and knock on his door? By not insulting them and putting them down for their sleazy efforts to get Ronaldo, he has shown them that he is an avid admirer of their style on and off the pitch and while not officially stepping on United’s toes, he is indicating his future interest as well. After all, he has no contract with United and is really not that hard to get I believe. The fact that he wears United jersey’s to press conferences in Argentina means nothing to me. I’m sure he loves playing for us but I’m sure he is a mercenary like most of the Latino brigade around the planet. For them Real or Barcelona are the top of the mountain and mercenary thought will always exist up to the time they are lucky enough to sign with either team. I’m truly a little disappointed with his stance. What we need is more of our foreign contingent putting down Real and pleading to Ronaldo to wake up and smell the coffee. Ask him why would anyone want to leave the best club in the world? And certainly not tell him that it is everyone’s dream to play for Real Fucking Putrid Madrid. It’s bad enough that Calderon has been able to get many Real players to say the same things, but for United players to say to Ronaldo it’s fine to want out of a contract and to want to go to Real like it’s some form of Utopian Heaven on Earth, well that’s just sick and twisted. BOLLOCKS!
July 24th, 2008 at 17:18
@Red Ranter: Fair enough, I just didn’t see where his argument was going.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:18
@Stephen: No problem mate. I was just giving you some context for the discussion I was having with James.
And I agreed with you regarding speaking your mind in the comments section .
July 24th, 2008 at 17:21
I don’t mind being called a Troll, I’ve been called a lot worse, far worse in fact.
I’ve also probably been following United for a lot longer than anyone on this site, first game late 60s. During this period the number of times I’ve heard our fans booing our own players can be counted on one hand, it’s never clever and almost always ends in tears of sorts.
It seriously piss*s me off to learn than some supporters are so upset with Ronaldo that they could turn against him - this after all he’s done for United.
We have to accept that he is not from Gorton, Salford or Oldham - so as sure as we can expect rain in Manchester any time soon Ronaldo was always going to want to play in Spain for Madrid or Barcelona at some point in the future and yes I completely agree that the way Ronaldo has handled this is all very wrong. But as fans we should be more mature about Ronaldo and his background, we need to be collectively a bit more understanding and we be big enough to forgive him for his shortcomings this summer.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:24
James Ryddel; Only a complete Muppet would tell others how they should react and how they should cheer? You have no quota on loyalty and you have no right to think for us. If I want to boo his fucking socks off, I will and I won’t have the likes of you telling me I’m not a Manchester United fan. How dare you. What nerve! Get over yourself mate.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:32
@Red Ranter: Why is it important that you be more responsible by what you post on as a main blog comment? Why, is there a supreme code of ethics an independent blogger needs to follow just because he is on the Internet? I think you have the right to post whatever you want RR, except when it becomes illegal. In the overall scheme of things you and thousands of bloggers like you are little fish in a very big pond. It’s not your moral obligation to tow any kind of politically correct line or have a stance that falls in line with that kind of movement. Be yourself and post whatever you feel like posting mate. Your loyal members will always be there and your blog will continue to grow because it’s the best United blog out there. See what I mean about the thought police? There’s a fucking Right wing Republican on every bloody corner of every bloody street trying to tell us all how to think and what we can and cannot do. Ridiculous!
Just be yourself, but I’m sure I don’t even have to say that to you.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:33
@ James Ryddel, I am a season ticket holder and won’t boo him, but he needs to know he has treating the fans badly this summer, we need to stand up to this ponce.
His attitude of I will score a couple of goals and all will be well in my view is not acceptable.
He will never be a legend @ OT and we as fans should not let him off the hook quite so easily. I will as I say not boo him, but I will never cheer him, hopefully my silence will be deafening, but knowing him with his thick skin he will be too obsessed about himself and not the fans.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:42
@James Ryddel:
Apologies for calling you a troll - my mistake. But having followed RR’s link to your blog, I have a couple of points to make to you:
1. Reading your post of 14 July, this not booing Ronaldo is clearly a pet point of yours. Fair enough, as I said everyone’s entitled to their view. But I don’t know how popular you’re going to make yourself by making this a crusade against all United supporters who post on blogs, and I don’t know what you’ll achieve other than riling people.
2. In that post, you say “Here’s a question for any numpties out there. Who knows best, Ferguson and the United players like Rio or the boo boys and **** stirring websites? Answers on a postcard…”
But the headlines on other posts around that one are:
“Is Berbatov really the right striker for United?”
“Is Berbatov really worth £10m more than Samuel Eto’o?”
Does that not qualify as questioning Fergie? And why shouldn’t we question Fergie, he doesn’t get it right all the time - nobody does.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:49
@James Ryddel: Years following the team does not make you any better a fan than somebody who just became a fan yesterday. All it does is give you more knowledge on the team’s history and how it has evolved. I for one am not a big fan of old boy’s networks who feel that they have a privilege or right greater than others to enjoy a given thing. Sorry, but that does not make you more of a fan. And if you get pissed off over how some of us feel about Ronaldo, I just have one word of advice for you mate, get over it. That’s life. We don’t all eat the same cereal in the morning and read the same paper. Perhaps many of us put more value on loyalty and honoring a contract than you do. “After all he’s done for us”? Yes, he single handedly destroyed two months out of every Manchester United fan’s life by ruining our celebration over the Double. Double’s don’t happen every year and especially ones that include the Champions League. To not allow us to enjoy and savor that moment was callous and low on his part. But what was even lower was his unforgivable behavior and disrespect to all fans and especially to his teammates and Fergie most of all. If you and some others cannot see that, that’s fine. You have the right and freedom to think as you please. Why? Because you are not under contract to me or anybody else who may then tell you what you can and cannot say in public. I’m not form Gorton, Salford or Oldham neither but that has not kept me from being loyal for 25 years. Loyalty is not entirely territorial. We live in highly advanced electronic communication age and so allegiance isn’t tied down to territories anymore.. And I don’t have a multi-million dollar contract that pays me to stay loyal. Stop protecting spoilt, immature and irresponsible players who have the world as their oyster and cannot respect the institutions or the laws that gave them all this power, as well as the freedom to turn their backs on all those who made them. Give me a break.
July 24th, 2008 at 17:59
I agree with James’s point, well at least part of it. The part that we should retain Ronaldo at all costs. I guess what I also agree is that RR is the person in charge of this blog and I believe many people will listen to you and when you say that you don’t have problem with other people booing our own players, that doesn’t sit well with me. I mean we all agree that booing our own is a shameless act, so if anyone does it they should be critisized. Ronaldo gave us 2 great years and I hope he will give us 2 more, but this will not happen if our own goes against him. He already recieves enough hate from the opposition.
July 24th, 2008 at 18:00
On to something different. Remember all my bitching for weeks and weeks about Fergie taking his sweet old time to buy a player. Well it appears his procrastination just may end up biting him in the ass. Tottenham are so pissed off with Fergie they are going to sell him to Milan or Barca instead. And this will happen because they are selling him for less and because when it comes to the end of the day, Berbatov just wants out of Tottenham. He will gladly OK any deal to go to such prestigious clubs. I said two weeks ago that he should just knuckle under and pay the 30 million they wanted. Instead he low balled them and then allowed the media to fuck Levy’s head around enough that now their is tremendous animosity between the two clubs. I can honestly say that now, I do not believe we will end up with Berbatov. We aren’t competing with him against Man City or Liverpool, we are up against Milan and Barca. Financially and historically strong opponents. On top of that, we are playing in an unfair game where their price is lower than our price and that Levy doesn’t even want to sell to us also makes it very unlikely that it will happen.
For me this may have a silver lining attached to it. It may mean that Fergie will have to settle for my fist choice Klass Jan Huntelaar after all. But knowledge that Berbatov is gone will force Ajax to play hard ball with us and his price will go up and Fergie will not want to pay it. I have a very bad feeling about this.
July 24th, 2008 at 18:07
@Orez: Simply put, RR is just stating that we all have a mind of our own and he is respecting all our rights to choose for ourselves and not to be dictated to by others who feel it their mission in life to tell us how to act and think. Mind your own business and stop telling others what they should or should not do mate. I for one will boo loudly but don’t worry. I doubt you, James or Ronaldo will be able to hear me all the way from Canada. And no, WE all don’t agree that booing our own is a shameless act. What is a shameless act is players wanting to break contracts and players who show fans no respect while snubbing their noses at us.
He made his bed, now he can lye in it. Apparently some of you would like to cuddle up next to the Judas. Whatever floats your boat I guess. 
July 24th, 2008 at 18:33
@Grognard:
grog, whats so sacrosanct about a contract with a private organisation like utd? its not a contract with God is it?
In todays world thousands of people are fired very unceremoniously so often. my own boss got fired after 2 years of working his ass off (and being one of the best performers in the organisation) just like that!!! Its a world where everyones looking for their own interests. Surely Ronaldo has a contract but it can definitely be broken. Ronaldo (or whosoever) just need to pay the right price!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 18:47
@Grognard: I have only recently begun posting here but have read this site almost since its beginnings and I have noticed that this ‘real fan’ business almost always gets your hackles up. I’m just wondering whether the term is as pernicious as you feel it is. I’ve noticed that usually the term doesn’t mark a difference in how much one loves the club but it marks a difference in one’s attitude as a fan and it typically denotes a cultural difference between those born and bred in and around Manchester and those who are not. Those from Manchester have been raised in a culture where booing one’s own is simply not on. We North Americans for whatever reason (likely a socio-political one relating to the fact that the entirty of our culture has been dominated by capitalism) feel that purchasing something comes with certain rights, so that purchasing a ticket or a shirt gives us the right to treat players as we see fit. As a Yankee fan you are certainly aware of this. I am certainly not trying to dissuade you of your opinion or trying to tell you how to think or whether or not you should boo Ronaldo. That is entirely your perogative. I am just wondering if this whole ‘real fan’ thing is such a big deal. Feel free to rant and bash me at your leisure.
Cheers, mate!
July 24th, 2008 at 19:12
@Grognard: You are missing the point about responsibility. It is to not stoop down to the Tribal Football BS that typically infests Newsnow. That was basically what James was on about (I think). And that point was directed at me. I clarified my stand with him.
Everyone:
I appreciate your support but I think I can handle remarks directed at me. Thanks nonetheless.
July 24th, 2008 at 19:54
I got a reply from the sports editor of the guardian…
——-
I expect “if what he seeks is something else, that should be respected” is the extract that prompted the headline you disapprove of. It seems fine to me and I have a real bugbear about misleading headlines, wherever they appear.
——-
that quote equals let ronaldo go?
July 24th, 2008 at 20:20
Even Tevez gets diplomatic to avoid all these media-generated problems, but then media has their own way of presenting things. Like you once wrote a heading which had ‘Scholes interview’ but the post didn’t, these are the little tricks that media perform to attract visitors.
July 24th, 2008 at 20:30
@Aravind: That was not a trick, it was a mistake which I admitted and changed the title to Scholes Article. (you can have a look at those comments again)
In this case it’s not. It’s a trick that’s all.
July 24th, 2008 at 20:37
@Orez: When I say that I don’t have a problem with others booing Ronaldo I mean that while it may not be acceptable to me personally (as in, I won’t boo a United player) I won’t impose it on others or expect other people to act in a way I deem acceptable. It’s my opinion and I will share my opinion with others but won’t impose it on them so as to force them to believe my way of thinking. The internet is full of people from different walks of life that I may not even understand their cultural leanings. So I would disagree with them and leave it at that.
July 24th, 2008 at 20:41
Yo RedRanter- You heard anything about our boy Manucho??
Where the hell is he?! Am i the only person that cares?!
July 24th, 2008 at 20:59
@jos: It’s legal and it’s binding in a court of law. Enough said. We are dealing in millions of dollars of money here. If you can’t understand that, I can’t help you.
July 24th, 2008 at 21:05
@jos: Did your boss work with a contract in place? If so, he was let go but paid for up to the end of the contract. If he did something to get himself fired, that’s a different story. And your Boss is small fry in this world when you compare him to the million dollar salaries of professional athletes. We can’t have athletes running around and playing musical chairs with teams during every post season. How are teams supposed to set themselves up and operate under that kind of crap? Pro sports has to run itself under some very strict socialist guidelines in order to survive and to be fair. Players have to agree to this going in or they can find another line of work that will permit them the freedom they want. It’s the small price a player pays for incredible wealth and stardom. My heart really bleeds for them. Honestly!
July 24th, 2008 at 21:24
@Eric the Red: Eric a fan is a fan no matter where they come from or how close they are to their team’s home stadium. I have watched many games from OT where our so called loyal and proximate following of fans have indeed booed players unmercifully. Names of players that come to mind are Saha (he deserves it), Andy Cole, Barthez, Bosnic, Taibi, Silvestre, Alan Smith, and even Rio received a fair booing when he was stalling on a contract. Heck, I’ve even Giggs and Scholes heard the boo birds last year during periods where they weren’t playing well. It’s a fan’s right to boo. They pay their money whether it be tickets, cable tv, or licensed merchandise. They have the right and no group of fans can say to them no you can’t. I do agree that being brought up ion different cultures makes a big difference. In North America if a pitcher gives up 8 runs in an inning and is taken out of the game, he will definitely receive boos before he reaches the dugout. In US football, a quarterback has a miserable day passing and throws 4 or 5 interceptions, he can expect a rude response. That’s just the nature of the business. You get paid the big bucks to perform and entertain the fans. If you suck or if you show signs of disrespect, or lack of loyalty, you will hear it. Americans and Cnadians have a thing about loyalty. We demand it. While you are under contract for the team you play, you are expected to give 100% and never ever complain about your situation or act the way Ronaldo has. And for the most part, players do exactly that. There are exceptions but it usually is a player who is not being used and who believes the best years of his career arew being wasted on the bench. Then in that case, I’m even more sympathetic. What power do fans have. Fans support and reaction dates back to the Roman Empire and the Gladiatorial games that were played in the Coliseum or venues like that all over the empire. Back then they were not known as supporters or fans. They were known as the MOB. They were very loyal but also very unforgiving and sadistic. Thumbs up you live, thumbs down you died. I think we have evolved considerably since then so I don’t think voicing our displeasure by booing a rich spoilt bastard like Ronaldo is out of line. He needs a good dose of humility. He needs to know his role and he needs to know that in the overall scheme of things, he doesn’t answer to Fergie, he answers to all of us. We pay his salary through the profits that the Glazers make through our participation. I’m just a poor Pleb. If I pay my hard earned 50 pounds to go see a game and my team decides to take the day off and stink the joint out, I have a right to voice my displeasure as I would if I went to a restaurant and ordered a steak rare and it came to me well done. Supporters make this sport, not the players or the managers. Without us, they play in schoolyards with no money involved.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with what you say and so no bashing is necessary. You argument is valid I just don’t see things the same way. So no problem from me mate. Cheers.
July 24th, 2008 at 21:32
@Grognard: Dont pretend like they owe you their lives though, because without them, you’d be left with nothing to play with. And watching an empty stadium. Stop sounding so deserving.
July 24th, 2008 at 21:38
Grognard, completely agree with with you mate on the subject of the ronaldo situation. I feel he has made a mockery of our great club and has definitely taken the shine off our great achievements. He has belittled our club making us look second rate compared to Real, even though anybody with half a brain can see that they are second rate compared to us. Whilst he has not said anything, don’t you think his silence speaks volumes. The crap that comes out of his mouth, always saying we will see what the future holds. I do not know if i want him back again. He has everything but seems to want more. If he wants to join the shitty has been club in spain then tell him to f off. He will not achieve anything there and the manager at Barca (a team i have a great respect for) will be back winning titles making madrid look second class. If he wants that then fine.
On other news i just wanted to say that it seems that Grognard is a very clever person and seems to know alot about the football teams and players across the world. I believe you said that you watched alot of foreign footie especially in germany (correct me if im wrong). I just wanted to know if there are any wingers out there that you recommend as i think we need a new right winger regardless of the ronalod saga. We have nani suspended and plays on the left wing anyway, park injured, ronaldo out (or sold) meaning we would have to rely on fletcher to play for the first few months of the season assuming we keep ronaldo that is. I would be worried facing the likes of liverpool and the chavs playing with fletcher there. I view signing a right winger as more important than singing a striker. What are your views?
July 24th, 2008 at 21:56
@Red Ranter: Ohh.. I didn’t notice the corrected article.
Just wanted to tell one more thing man.. RR taking time to load for 2 days now, the comments section especially. No problem with the internet speed in general. RR and ‘101 gr8 goals’ taking time to load.
July 24th, 2008 at 22:18
@Aravind: Don’t know what the problem may be — it seems to be ok for me. Will see what can be done about it.
July 24th, 2008 at 22:29
@Comma: Owing their lives? Aren’t we being a little melodramatic here. These are bloody millionaires that feed themselves with silver spoons and sunbathe in front of their pools. Damn rights they owe us something. They owe us a 100% effort every time they play and they owe us commitment through the contract they sign. After that contract if they choose to leave, I have no problem or any hard feelings whatsoever. As long as they are Manchester United property by law, they better adhere to those rules and regulations and respect the club and supporters of the that team.
July 24th, 2008 at 22:36
@Grognard: Well you can discount AC Milan from that list. They are a club in financial trouble and Berbatov is not going to go to a club which plays in the UEFA cup next season. Spurs do as well. As for as Barcelona are concerned Guardiola has guaranteed Henry that he would start up front so I don’t think Berbatov would like to end up in the bench there. He wants to come to Utd and I believe Spurs cannot force the issue on Berbatov….. So don’t lose hope yet……
July 24th, 2008 at 22:43
@Matthew: We should be worried about the future with Fergie standing pat and players falling like flies to injuries. There are several wingers out there that are good stop gap measures to help us through our injuries but I would rather we bought a few young ones instead and bleed them a little. My favorite ones right now are Marko Marin of Borussia Moenchngladbach and Sotiris Ninis of Panathinaikos in Greece. Alex Sanchez of River Plate is probably the best one out there. Three players who are supremely skilled and ahead of schedule in their development. They are all very young as well and have many great years ahead. Other wingers I like are not available although I would still consider Quaresma. I haven’t heard if he signed with anybody yet. If so disregard that last comment. I know Fergie looks for speed and dribbling skill. They would be the best bet.
And thanks for the kind praise. Considering how much mud is slung in my direction, it’s always great to find someone who agrees with me sometimes and above all, just gets it.
July 24th, 2008 at 22:45
@Krishnan: Very valid points. I tis true that the final say lyes with Berbatov and going to a team that not only has a place for him in the starting 11, but also plays in the CL is vital. Still, don’t discount the allure that a club like Milan can have for a player. But good points nevertheless so yes, it does make me feel better. Thanks.
July 24th, 2008 at 23:00
Grog
Personally, I strongly disagree with your stance on booing players. I can’t see how booing a pitcher as he is walking to the dugout helps at all. He’ll know he’s had a stinker, so why do the fans need to tell him that? I think that if the fans only cheer players when they are playing well, and boo them when they are not, they aren’t showing the players any loyalty, and are being rather fickle, so why should the players show loyalty if the fans turn on them just like that *clicks fingers*?
If you want to boo, then that’s your choice, and I know that there are several others who have made the same choice, however I’d be disappointed to see our own fans lower ourselves to booing players. I think what would hit Ronaldo hardest is complete silence. You, several times on this blog, have said that he “is dead” to you, correct? So why show him the recognition? Ronaldo thrives on attention, don’t give him attention, and he’ll be brought down a peg or two. That is my view on the situation, but hey, it’s your right to boo if you want, just don’t expect me to join in with you.
July 24th, 2008 at 23:34
Grognard, have you seen anything of henri saivet, he is meant to be good. Or another player closer to home who i keep hearing about is a lad called john fleck at rangers. Just wanted to know if you have seen them play and if they are any good.
July 24th, 2008 at 23:58
I’m glad someone wrote about this. I saw the headline and thought “Oh great” then you read what he said and are left wondering what the big deal was all about.
July 25th, 2008 at 0:12
@Grognard: I kinda agree with this, does everyone actually see Levy still selling Berbatov to us after all the hot air he’s blown? Also there was a thread on redcafe with the transcript of Fergie’s full interview with Ian Ladyman in South Africa, in the article, when asked about his so-called “mystery signing”, Fergie says we’ve given up. I don’t know if he really means that or not, but i have to say that our chances of getting Berbatov are really slim.
July 25th, 2008 at 0:41
@Rd: I think it all depends on how serious Liverpool are in getting Keane. If they abandon, and they’ve just signed a striker and have no money, it’s not a massive blow for Spurs to keep Keane and get £25 million for Berba.
Don’t get me wrong, loosing Berbatov is a blow. But only loosing one of their top men and the money they’d get for him will help their rebuilding greatly.
I’ve admired Robbie Keane since his Wolves days, and if he doesn’t get his move he will stay and give his all every match. He’ll score goals, do a forward roll and all will likely be forgotten. The same thing will happen with Ronaldo with us, sans the acrobatics.
Berbatov doesn’t strike me as that sort of player however. He is a big grumpy grump. He’ll just stink the place out in training, on the bench, on the pitch and anywhere else he can grump to.
July 25th, 2008 at 0:52
@AlexOfMancunia: Who cares if the player gets the raspberries from the crowd. if he stunk up the joint he deserves what he gets. It’s only booing for crying out loud. I’m not saying tie him and waterboard or torture him. Fans have a right to show their displeasure at both players and coaches if the team is playing poorly and or somebody is showing a lack of team loyalty. Just because you boo and show some displeasure, doesn’t mean you hate or want the player dead. Grab some perspective for crying out loud. It’s only booing. Have of all professional wrestlers deal with it all the time. And they get it far worse than other athletes. What’s next, we can’t boo the opposition because it may hurt their feelings and because we are not being gracious hosts? And how is complete silence any better than good hardy booing. Silence and whistling is what Russians in the former Soviet Union used to do when their Red Army teams would stink at home. It was eerie and rather cold. Booing is passionate and makes a true statement of intent and displeasure. It’s only noise and so I think you and others are making much more out of it than there really is. Fans cheer and fans boo, that’s normal. And i see no written rule that says I cannot show my displeasure at my team or at a player if he deserves it. Booing Ryan Giggs after he has given us over 15 years of loyal service and never ever desired a move. Booing a disloyal, childish and two faced greedy Ronaldo somehow doesn’t really bother me that much. I’m urging all United fans to give him a good hardy welcome by booing the socks right off of him. Let him have it. He deserves it. And then afterwards, if his attitude improves and he pledges his next four years to United, i am all for cheering him and giving him flowers and standing ovations. I reward accordingly. And yes he is dead to me but my boos will be loud enough to wake the dead. I am not a Ingmar Bergman fan. I’m not a big fan of silence. I believe in noise and chaos. No war was ever one with silence. And don’t say the Cold War because that wasn’t really a war. Let the bastard have it and let him learn that he can’t assume to get away with murder and still have the majority of fans love him and respect him. For me he will have to earn that respect back. I will never love him again the way a fan loves a player because I now know more than ever what a total shit bag he is. But at least he can gain some respect and appreciation for his efforts if he repents and changes his attitude. I wouldn’t keep my fingers crossed on that one. Ronaldo doesn’t give a rats ass about you, me or any other fans in Manchester or Madrid for that matter. All he cares about is Ronaldo. He can SOD OFF!
And you are more than welcome to cheer him all you want. I respect but disagree with your view on this as you do with mine. And that’s OK.
I promise not to boo you as long as you don’t give me the silent treatment.
July 25th, 2008 at 0:56
@Matthew: I’ve heard of Saivet and heard that he is an up and coming Henry style player. Other than that I know nothing as the one league I avoid like the plague ids the French League. Their football just bores me to tears. John Fleck on the other hand I am aware of but he is still very raw and unproven. Aiden McGeady is a player that would interest me from Scotland. Great speed and dribbling skills.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:47
@Grognard: You seem to have completely forgotten Padolski!!! He is modeling himself rather much like Ronaldo these days and playing on the left usually in a 3 man attack (as seen in Euro 2008) and was really very effective!
About the contract thing, yes they all had valid contracts. The company just decided to terminate them in a flash! Dont come from tomorrow! Paid him 2 weeks salary! That is it. Yes he is not that big a fish but there have been even much much bigger fishes than even the likes of Ronaldo that have been fired! What about Mourinho at Chelsea? Or if we look outside the football world, what about the likes of Lee Iacoca? President of Ford Motor Company and the person who single handedly revived it, was so unceremoniously fired by his boss! CEOs of big companies get routinely fired (my own company’s CEO was fired sometime back) and they get huge huge compensations… even in 100s of millions of dollars. It all happens all around us. Probably you have worked in a different environment (I believe you worked for government of Canada) and it is a different world altogether (job security, different ethics etc). But private organisations are really not so loyal. They’ll pay you till they like and if they dont like you, then you are out next moment, contract or no contract!
July 25th, 2008 at 3:54
@jos: Jos, Mourinho got paid in full and his contract stipulated that he could not take another job in England for at least one year. Therefore he turned down several offers because of that. If your boss had a contract and was fired, trust me, he is owed a lot more than 2 weeks unless he was fired for poor performance. Why din’t he fight for the rest of his money that was owed to him contractually? I worked for the minister of Labor in the province of Alberta for 2 years and I am very aware and familiar with contractual agreement s amongst employers and employees. While I was working we dealt with a nurses strike and many more union related problems but what we also pushed through was legislation to change and amend employment contracts so that employees were compensated in full upon unexpected dismissal. Labor laws are are very strict and there is just no way an employer can let an employee go who has a contract and not compensate him fully for his contractual term. Sorry but I don’t get what happened to your boss. It’s sounds like a major injustice. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a private organization Jos. They have to play by the labor laws of the land. Yes I was in Government and i was under contract but my contract was no different than most contracts handed out by private organizations. Trult an enigma and what seems to me to be a great injustice.
As for Podolski, I haven’t forgotten him, it’s just that hes not going anywhere. Both he and Schweinsteiger have made up with Bsyern’s hierarchy and Klinsmann has convinced them both that they have significant and important roles to play in Bayern’s future. As for Podolski, I think he is giving Klinsy a year to prove to him that he will indeed play him a lot and make him a major part of the team’s offense. If not, Poldy will go next summer for sure. I like him a lot but I don’t think Fergie has ever fancied him enough to make a bid. Also, Klinsmann has promised to not play him out on the left and see him as being more effective as a striker or second striker.
If you are still in touch with your old boss I’d tell him to read over the local labor laws and if I’m correct, he has the grounds for a very strong lawsuit against his former employer. Cheers!
July 25th, 2008 at 4:33
well look at sportinglife who some numb skull saying rooney should never have moved to united.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/manu/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/07/24/SOCCER_Column.html&TEAMHD=manu&DIV=prem&TEAM=MANCHESTER–UNITED&RH=Manchester–United&PREV_SEASON=
July 25th, 2008 at 6:14
@Grognard:
grog my argument was not about legal validity of the contract. that is for lawyers to debate. In any case, all contracts should (and generally they do) have get-out clauses otherwise it is bondage! My arguments were about supposed sacro-sanctity of the contracts! Once you sign, how much is it binding. Mourinho was fired, he got compensation but that doesnt mean a valid contract was not broken!!! It was broken, Mourinho wasnt happy about it, Chelsea players and supporters were not happy about it. No amount of compensation can recompensate their displeasure. Similarly Ronaldo can also think on the lines that while he has a 4 year legal contract with Man Utd, it is still not an absolute guarantee! Sir Alex or Glazers may very well fire him tomorrow and pay him his 4 year worth of contract (that would be absolute lunacy though and normally should not happen) and theres nothing he could do about it. It happened to Roy Keane, the most charismatic captain of all time! If it can happen to him, it can happen to anybody. Point is, with private organisations you never know. We shouldnt be talking about loyalty because in this world it is all about dog eats dog. You are there till you are needed and next second you are out. Of course, there is no surity Real will not fire him, but at least he would have realised a dream of his.
And talking about being compensated for breaking contracts (like Mourinho) shouldnt it work both ways? Employer should compensate employee when he breaks a contract and so should employee if he is the one breaking it. I dont think courts should settle it (as then only lawyers make money)
BTW, I am not implying Ronaldo should be sold. He might not have signed contract with God (dont know why he keeps referring to God as the one who kows his future) but he signed one with the Devils and he’ll bloody do well to honor it
July 25th, 2008 at 6:40
@jos: Contract s can be broken by mutual consent of both parties. Mourinho may have been upset at Chelsea but he also knew when he wasn’t welcome and both he and Abramovich agreed to part ways. Yes contracts have out clauses but football contracts are a little different. Because of the money involved in not only paying a player for playing, their is image rights and licensing rights that come in to play. And Fergie and the Glazer’s will not fire him that is for sure. He is an incredible asset and so he will either stay or he will be sold. Once sold, he is no longer their responsibility. I really believe the number one reason they do not want to sell him is because of the millions and millions he brings in licensing and image properties. Jersey’s with his name on it photos, action figures stickers, cards etc etc. United are making a mint on him the way Madrid made a mint on Beckham merchandise. The loss of that revenue puts Ronaldo’s value to well over 100 million if that is factored in. Unfortunately if you are a player of that kind of standing, the money that you generate off of the pitch is probably more valuable to the team than the goals he scores.
Lets see if his popularity takes enough of a hit that United notice a significant drop off of Ronaldo merchandise sale. Then and onlt then will they reconsider their position. In the end it’s all about the almighty buck and the fans are the ones who will suffer.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:44
A nice little bit in the Daily Mail that gives us some solid encouragement regarding the pursuit of Berbatov. Apparently, the only team for him is United. Great stuff.
“Dimitar Berbatov, Tottenham to AC Milan or Barcelona - Insider says: 1/5″
“The Bulgarian has set his heart on a move to Manchester United and spent most of last season saying so to his friends. Spurs might be trying to play hardball with United by suggesting they would take £5m less from Milan or Barcelona if it meant they didn’t have to sell Berbatov to their Premier League rivals, but it is unlikely to work. Milan have blown most of their budget on signing Ronaldinho and would not be able to afford Berbatov — or offer him Champions League football. Barca are a more realistic option, but not if the player doesn’t want to go there. United want Berbatov, he wants United, and Spurs want £30m. Sir Alex Ferguson has offered £20m — expect a deal to be done somewhere in between before the start of the season”
July 25th, 2008 at 9:35
Grog, good to see we are playing hard ball for a change and not just paying over the odds!!
July 25th, 2008 at 13:32
I’m dreading a scenario where we continue pursuing Berbatov and end the transfer window empty handed. I think it would be prudent for us to buy a few young talents. After all we missed out on Ramsey and Dos Santos. As Ronaldo is not going to stay forever and Giggs is about to retire soon we seem short of a winger or two.
July 25th, 2008 at 13:37
Grog - with all the fans hating Ronaldo, who’s going to buy the shirts?
July 25th, 2008 at 13:38
@Colver, I agree mate, Fergie is doing his putting all his eggs in one basket thing, like with Hargreaves when we missed out on Senna, who is very good I might add.
Dos Santos for £4.6m seems a steal to me.
July 25th, 2008 at 13:57
With regards to earlier points about booing your own players I think thats completely out of order. Look at Gareth Barry for Villa at the Walsall game earlier in the week with the knuckle dragging troglodyte’s in the stand booing him. Absolutely disgraceful!
I would like to think that as Man Utd supporters we would have a bit more respect for Ronaldo than that and would conduct ourselves with a bit more dignity. Fair enough he has been a complete tit over the summer with the way he has conducted his business but like Barry for Villa he has been a great servant for us, has played some absolutely fantastic football and has been instrumental in bringing in silverware over the past couple of seasons.
In saying that if he is still with Utd this season coming I wont boo him but I also certainly wont be cheering him on the same as what I did and certainly won’t be singing any songs idlolising him from the stands anymore. There’s plenty of ways to let Ronaldo know how the fans feel about his actions without resorting to the ignorance of boo’s from the stands. Never heard the like of it before with Man Utd and I certainly hope I wont either.
@Grognard:
“If I want to boo his fucking socks off, I will”
Your statement is well out of order!
@ James Ryddel
“Any United fan who boos Ronaldo is every bit as bad as Ronaldo has been over the last few weeks. Booing one of your own would be a clueless and classless act and any so called Red should be ashamed of himself for doing so.”
Proper order.
July 25th, 2008 at 13:58
@ Ahmed Bilal, Real Madrid fans hopefully!!
July 25th, 2008 at 14:02
@Grognard:
Once again he hasn’t broken or tried to break his contract. You seem to keep getting stuck on this when its something that hasn’t happened. Stating its a dream to play for a club and that you would be interested should it ever be on the table is not a contract breach. As long as player returns to the club should the club not sell them and upon returning they don’t pull any silly antics such as going on strike, threatening to score own goals ect ect then then they are fulfilling their contract.
@Grognard:
There may not be be an official code of conduct for bloggers but that really doesnt mean that they have a free reign. Like it or not a Blogger is a journalist and they have a DUTY to withold the guidelines that journalists are supposed to live by and should also receive the same legal protection. The problem is most bloggers are complete retards with no journalistic integrity whatssever. This lack of journalistic integrity coupled with the Rupert Murdoch approach of “write anything thats eye catching, bury the facts and then pay the fines later” has helped blur the lines of even the most serious media outlets. Bloggers like RR all have a duty to ensure they have journalistic integrity and adhere to the guidelines to ensure what they post is fair, accurate and verifiable
@Grognard:
Maybe your attitude is a North American thing but really anyone who boos a player really isn’t in my eyes a true supporter of that club/team no matter what sport its in. Theres an important part to the word Supporter and thats the support part. You don’t turn on the club and its players on the smallest perceived slight, especially when its a perception based on rumour and interpretation rather than fact. You can keep holding a grudge but as a supporter it shouldnt spill out in hostile acts towards the player when hes on the pitch.
Oh and your justification for not encouraging players with the “professional wrestlers” aspect later on is hilarious. Professional wrestling is not a sport, its a piece of theatre, there are obviously some sporting elements to it but the whole things is staged and crafted.
@Grognard:
I would assume he didn’t fight it as he had nothing to actually fight. In football Managers and Players are treated not as employees but as commodities but in the real world you are treated more as a employee. You don’t generally have what are archaic and long term fixed contracts as you see in sport. Almost everyone will have a ‘notice’ period in their contract of employment and unless there’s an additional clause this is the length of time you are entitled to get paid for. And I think this is the point blatter was trying to make as such contracts wouldnt be acceptable in normal business, if even fully legally (He is clearly trying to remove opposition to the 6+5 rule by highlighting other employment laws that are being broken in the hope the clubs will drop opposition and that the EU will grant sport special permission to bring in laws that break EU employment regulation)
July 25th, 2008 at 14:05
michael…the guy does have a point…rooney isnt the same like he was back 4 years ago.
July 25th, 2008 at 14:15
Ronny deserves to be boo’d, atleast for the first match, when they say his name at Old Trafford. I would boo him, the selfless traitor needs to be reprimanded for his actions!!! My favourite player. I idolised him. I argued for him relentlessly when he never won player of the year, and he turns his back on us and my friends (chelsea and arsenal fans) can laugh all the till thier stomachs hurt. BOO HIM!!! atleast for the first match
July 25th, 2008 at 14:18
@Stephen:
The problem is who else do you go after, in case the berba deal doesn’t happen. There isnt many proven premiership strikers of the right quality and fitness and even if we went after someone like Huntelaar we would still need to sign a proven prem striker as it may take someone from abroad 6 months, a year or never to adjust to the English game as we have seen with many players. We probally wont get away with relying on Rooney and Tevez alone so one of the big foreign based strikers being talked about will need backed up with an English based one to be safe
July 25th, 2008 at 14:29
@Ahmed Bilal: The problem is that not all the fans hate Ronaldo and shirts will still be bought. But I fully expect their sales of #7’s to go down. People can only take so much.
July 25th, 2008 at 14:29
i dont think we should boo ronaldo, but we shouldnt cheer for him either, thats the right thing to do. the only time we should ever boo a player, is when a player says they want to play for the scouse, then and only then.
July 25th, 2008 at 14:37
@ Wakey I am a big Huntelaar fan think he would fit seamlessly in our side, you cannot guarantee even Berbatov will settle, football is a gamble, but going after one player alone is an even bigger gamble.
July 25th, 2008 at 14:45
I won’t boo him, but does that mean we accept his behaviour this summer, surely we all find it unacceptable and distastefull, considering all the support we have shown.
I will never (try) and cheer a goal he scores, he has let me down and I will never forgive him for it.
July 25th, 2008 at 14:46
@scoop: Piss off with your out of order crap. Who the Hell are you to tell me what I can and cannot do? How is not cheering him any fucking different than booing him? It’s a statement of intent to show your displeasure. Instead you are asking fans to take his insolence and disrespect towards us with a smile and then ask for some more thanks. I say no thanks. I’ll tell you what is out of order. It’s people like you who think you have some God given right to tell me how I should behave over my favorite football team. I’m no hooligan and I don’t belong to some firm, so kindly get the fuck off my back and be more concerned with your own behavior instead of someone who lives in Canada and who will never be heard shouting his boos anyway. We have a few fragile wallflowers on this blog who act and sound like a bunch of grannies and who have their panties in a twist. Mine is an act of defiance against a player who I feel has wronged us terribly. To say I will boo the socks off him is really a metaphor designed to show my extreme displeasure with what he has done and the fact that I no longer want him around. Only 70,000 of us millions of United fans actually have the pleasure of cheering or booing and being heard. The rest of us just sit at home and watch the game and do so without trying to disturb the neighbors by booing too loudly. And how dare you make a judgment against me calling me just as bad as Ronaldo. Thats out of order. Talk about overreaction.
July 25th, 2008 at 14:57
@Stephen: This is one instance where Utd. shouldn’t be playing hardball. Play hardball with Real over Ronaldo, but fork over the 30m for Berba (over the odds or not) and march on to another Treble!
July 25th, 2008 at 15:01
@ Eric the Red, I agree it is a position which I believe we are desperate to fill and Berbatov is a shoe in for it.
We will drag the transfer out for another two weeks and will end up paying £32m knowing us!!
July 25th, 2008 at 15:10
Ps how can I get my @s to be in red?
July 25th, 2008 at 15:17
@Stephen: Hehe! You never knew how to do that till now?!
Anyway you just have to click on the curly arrow beside a commenter’s name (ie the comment you want to respond to) and you automatically get a code pasted on to your comment box, Then simply type your comment as you would. I had explained this earlier in a post. Perhaps you may have missed it.
July 25th, 2008 at 15:21
@Red Ranter: Cheers!! I am not very good with computers!!
July 25th, 2008 at 15:31
@wakey: Really! Pro wrestling is not real and staged? I suggest you talk down to your kids like that (if you have any), and not me. I’m no fucking idiot and I don’t need to be lectured to by some moral minority that think they have a greater right to be a fan than me because they prefer to act like a restrained muppet and trained seal. Who are incapable of showing their displeasure over something openly because it’s part of their personality or lack of. You have made far too many generalizations and accusations that are nothing more than insults against me personally and which I feel are nothing more than rude and right wing in nature. Why don’t you go to your next right wing rally and silently praise your leader and leave me to my own devices.
How dare you insinuate that I am not a supporter. I support the team as much and probably even more passionately than you because unlike you, I am willing to defend the team against the actions and terrible behavior of one of it’s players. To say it’s a North American thing just shows how ignorant and closed minded you really are. And you are not in any position to talk to me about employment contracts and the power within them as you have not got the experience and background working with them as I do. You are out of your element so kindly shut the fuck up and move on to something you know about because the business and employment standards of sports or any other enterprise is clearly not your bag. To accuse me of thinking like life is a part of Football Manager just shows me how you bias towards me and obvious dislike is tainting and distorting your way of thinking. I find it funny that I am not the only one that has this view about Ronaldo on this site but I am the only one you attack. I wonder why that is? Possibly because I get under you politically correct Dudley Doright skin.
One cannot realistically compare the employment of normal and ordinary people with that of sports athletes and celebrities who make multiple millions often in just a short period of time. Yes they have rights too but they also have to honor their commitment which comes in the form of an agreement between them and their employer and signed by both parties as a legal and binding document. Ronaldo knew what he was signing, United has honored in full their part of the agreement up to now. Now he must do the same up to the point his contract expires. If he is unhappy with that, he should have discussed it more carefully with his agent and not signed such a lucrative and long term offer. What about Manchester United’s rights in all this? Do they not have a right to demand that the player who signed the contract must do as they are doing, which is living up to the bargain that was struck? Why is the turmoil and complete rebuilding of a team not an issue if they were to allow Ronaldo to leave? Why must they be put through Hell trying to find a replacement or replacements for a player who out of the blue decided he wants out, well before his contract has expired? I would think that puts United in a very uneasy and stressful dilemma as they have not had enough time to formulate a strategy for the team and enough time to properly go after the right player or players as replacements. Also, what does that do to their financial investment in marketing and merchandising? They have created so many items and services designed around promoting United through the image, name and number of one Cristiano Ronaldo. How do they recoup the millions that are lost in their investment in that arena as well as the millions they will lose in sales?
I don’t much care for this panzy ass attitude some have that players are human beings and they should have freedom to do whatever they want and go wherever they want because they are not slaves and we wouldn’t like it if that was happening to us. Good grief, wake the fuck up already. They are all spoilt millionaires. Some better and more humble and appreciative then others. They have incredible wealth that 99% of the world’s population will never see in their entire lifetimes and they have such enormous power and privilege to lead the kind of lives we only fantasize about. And it is us poor plebs that make that happen for them. So forgive me and understand if I take exception to the rude, selfish and completely disloyal actions of one athlete before you start telling me that I am not a good supporter or that you know better what is right. You sir are a little to full of yourself and you need to control your pleasure and displeasure better and focus those emotions towards football and Manchester United, and not fellow members on RedRants. You are making things awfully personal and I for one will not tolerate your insults and insinuations. You know absolutely nothing about me other than what I choose to divulge on this blog. To make radical and improper accusations or inferences is wrong and incredibly arrogant. If you want to converse with me it is important to treat me fairly and disagree as much as you like, but with respect. And in turn I will do the same to you. Instead of this personality bashing that we are getting in to and that you started. I’m nobody’s bitch.
July 25th, 2008 at 15:40
@wakey: God that is so closed minded! Why on Earth does a player have to have proven Premier League experience? Do I need to list the hundreds of world class player who have come to england since 1993 without that experience and who ended up having great careers here? Of all the arguments I have heard for not signing players, that has to be the most ridiculous and narrow minded one of all time. I agree that it is better if the player has experience in a top European or South American league but how the Hell is he supposed to get Prem League experience if every bloody manager in the English game thought like that? Totally ridiculous and without a doubt the most absurd statement to be made in a long while. Experience is so overrated. Talent above al is the most required element. If you have the talent and you can cope with pressure, you will do well wherever you go. Experience is a great addition but it is not a required asset. Did Berbatov, Ronaldo, Torres, Adebayor, Fabregas, Santa Cruz, and dozens of other recent additions to the league have EPL experience when they showed up to their present teams? Unbelievable!!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 15:45
@dan(u-ol): Honestly Dan, I don’t hate Liverpool nearly as much as I have hated Real Madrid and Chelsea over the past five years. Liverpool seem like such a small fry these days I can only look at them and laugh. It’s hard to hate some one you can only laugh at.
July 25th, 2008 at 15:51
@Grognard: I will always hate Liverpool more than than words can say. In the imortal words of our great leader, his greatest challenge was to “knock Liverpool off their fucking perch” and thankfully they have been sent flying.
July 25th, 2008 at 15:53
If you go to a game as a supporter of united, then you should not boo ronaldo. OK, siting at home do what ever tickles your fancy but anyone at a match should not even remotely focus their energy on showing your displeasure at ronaldo. You should focus on getting behind the team. Anyone who intends to boo ronaldo at a match because he doesn’t care about united, well then you are showing you don’t care much for the team either. Do you really think hearing the crowd booing a teammate is going to help the other ten players on the park. No. Grognard, scoop was voicing his opinion. He doesn’t think supporters should boo a player, you make a big fuss over people being allowed to voice their opinion so clearly he and others should be allowed to state that they think it is wrong to boo a player. Also, you talk about booing ronaldo to send him a message that supporters are displeased with him, then you say that you will only be booing from your home. Your wish to send a message to ronaldo indicates that it wouyld be your intention to boo him at a match, or that you would be in favour of seeing the crowd boo ronaldo. Saying that you will simply be booing from your own home is very different. Which do you support? Booing your tv screen or actually booing the player himself during a game. I see nothing wrong with sitting at home shouting as much abuse at ronnie as you can manage. That’s fine. The only good that can come from it is personal satisfaction but that’s fine because it is not detrimental to the team in any way. However, during a match, this could only have a negative effect on the team’s performance. All the players would be affected, not just ronaldo. Fans who boo their own team’s players at a match show no consideration for their team or players. They are selfish, thinking not of the team but only of personal satisfaction. To a certain extent, they are just as bad as ronaldo.
July 25th, 2008 at 15:53
Im not going to cheer for HIM but if he scores im going to cheer for the TEAM. Because for me he is not part of United he’s a hired gun. I will still admire him as a player but I will not respect him or love him.
Grognard booing is a nice idea but surely you know by now how much the kid loves attention. Ignoring him would be a far worse punishment.
July 25th, 2008 at 16:05
@tevez: I agree and will not boo him myself, but the player must know that his behaviour this summer has been disgraceful. I completly understand that it may distract other players it also may ward off other players from doing the same thing.
It is a difficult situation, as fans we have a right to express our opinions and emotions at games, I as said I will not boo him ever, bit he had better be good when he gets back, if not I can see the crowd really turn on him.
July 25th, 2008 at 16:28
@Grognard:
Quit with the metaphor bollocks if you were at OT you’d be booing from the stands which is just wrong directed at any player turning out in the red of Man Utd.
Anytime Ive heard boos from other matches with other teams such as Barry for Villa it just sounds bad and I’d like to think we would have a bit more respect than that which obviously you don’t.
I hate defending Ronaldo because his actions over the summer have been terrible but he has been great for us culminating in a fantastic 07/08 season and for me thats enough not to boo the chap.
Seems like you have completely forgotten all that he has done for us. Not singing Ronaldo songs from the stands muted cheers when his name is mentioned or scores and he’ll get the message loud and clear.
Im not telling people what to do as there will be people who will boo him which I really disagree with but thats their decision fair enough.
By the way stop getting your knickers in a twist for peats sake and piss off yourself Im not questioning you loyalty as a Man Utd fan.
July 25th, 2008 at 16:42
@colver:
Spot on mate one thing Ronaldo would hate is being ignored and not being the centre of attention. It would kill him as opposed to a wave of negative boos which would affect the whole team and atmosphere in OT.
July 25th, 2008 at 16:45
hi all… i havent blogged on this site in a while, but i have been reading everyone’s comments when i can….
i havent blogged for two reasons… i’m in college right now and its really hectic!! the other has been coz all the conversation seems to revolve around ronaldo…..
those who’ve been here long enough would remember my stand of wanting to sell ronaldo when everyone (including grognard) wanted to keep him… i got some stick for that, but time has proven me wise (for once!!!) and ronaldo’s antics threaten to ruin the great atmosphere that surrounded the club last season (in the dressing room and the stands)…..
i would like to reiterate my desire to see ronaldo sold to protect the team spirit in the squad and build a team around someone who is commited to staying at the club for some length of time, someone like rooney for instance
that said, i wouldn’t like to see united fans booing ronaldo, simply because we should take the high road on this one and not stoop to his, and even worse, real fans’ level (they boo the team and call for managers’ sacking at the first sign of bad form)
i’m not challenging anyone’s loyalty, far from it, i respect those who have shown such hostility to a player (they loved) who has disrespected the club we all adore so much…….
July 25th, 2008 at 16:52
Groggy: Dude why do you have to waste your time replying to guys like Mr.Wakey(who clearly hasn’t
woke up yet) Well I think we all are supporters of Manchester united and whoever treats the club
the way Jack ass Cr7 has done deserves to rot in hell However who the fuck are these guys to question
us if we want to BOO that piece of shit anyways…I hope we start having better discussions on yhis blog
coz end of the day we all are atrting to turn on each other coz of one prick…
July 25th, 2008 at 17:04
@scoop: Scoop, sorry mate but you just don’t get it. You cannot and you have no right to tell other people what they should or should not do. Whether I am wrong or not, it is my decision to boo this player and I have weighed the consequences and examined the situation very carefully. Yes Ronaldo has done a lot for us but I am not easily seduced by that and I am not one who tolerates betrayal. I have had a few major betrayals in my personal life and so perhaps I am a bit sensitive when I see people show a lack of loyalty or betrayal towards those who have nurtured and help them grow like Fergie and United, and for those who showed loyalty and adoration by cheering and singing their praises to the player who now turns his back to us all. And who doesn’t even have the courage and manners to come up front and make a formal request for a transfer, but continues to tell family friends and whomever else that’s close to him how he wants to play for Madrid and how United has kept him in bondage slavery. How he keeps avoiding and skirting the question of his future by hiding behind God and nonsense because he is a coward who knows he’s wrong but who doesn’t care because he wants his way.
If you can cheer a player like that, it’s your prerogative and if you notice, I am not condemning you for it. That’s the big difference and that’s why I am pissed off. I may personally not agree with your stance but unlike you, I respect it and I don’t demand you follow my route to satisfaction. I choose to share my feelings on this site not so that people like you can ridicule and degrade me because I don’t share the same beliefs. Respect another fan for his beliefs too. I am not promoting violence or for threats towards the player, I’m just saying that I would boo him if I was one of those at OT. The fact I am not makes my booing a metaphor whether you like it or not because booing across the Atlantic is kind of silly don’t you think? Mine is an inner rage whether you want to accept that or not. When I say he should be booed I mean it, but I am not advocating nor assembling a mob to do so. Therefore, I think you are being very unfair towards me which the motivator that led me to my rude reply.
I don’t like being rude and I want to get on with every member on this site. But nothing gets under my skin more than when others try to tell me how I should act and behave and how I should think, like they have a quota on etiquette and political correctness. You are not my school master and I am not your student so don’t tell me how to behave. I value my freedom of speech and expression so perhaps you can now understand better why I took such offense. And I apologize for telling you to piss off. Regardless of whether I was justified or not, it was wrong on my part and I let my emotions get the better of me. I don’t hold it against you for returning the sentiment as I started it. I hope my feelings on this subject are clearer and we can move past this.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:09
@Stephen: Liverpool have been of their perch fro twenty years now. I think Fergie made his point. Now I see them as rather sad and pathetic and so I can’t hate them like I hate a true threat to our dominance like Chelsea, Arsenal and a specific Champions League opponent who play by sleazy rules and lack of ethics that I don’t agree with. Liverpool is so yesterday, don’t you think? Perhaps if they actually beat us in a meaningful game then I could reignite my total hatred for them. How can you hate someone who is so beneath you that you risk stepping on them all day long?
July 25th, 2008 at 17:10
Guys, the idea of this website is for people to express one anothers views, know one is right or wrong, we all support the greatest club in the world and that is all we are entitled to agree on!
July 25th, 2008 at 17:12
@Grognard: I know it is instilled in ” I HATE LIVERPOOL” it is my DNA nothing I can do about it, always have always will.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:14
@tevez: You miss the point also. I have no problem with you, Scoop or anybody else who voice their opinion and claim they do not like to boo a player for any reason. FINE! But don’t tell me I can’t. It’s that simple. If you consider it wrong fine, but don’t transfer your moral code on to me because I don’t share it. You are welcome to cheer him to your heart’s content, and I’m not putting you down for it because I don’t share the same feelings. So why can’t others respect my feelings on that and leave me alone. I have no issue with anybody who doesn’t agree with my stance. Just don’t order me to not think that way. What part of that message can’t you and some others get? Jeez this is frustrating. It’s like I am communicating to a bunch of Frenchmen in English.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:21
I remember reading somewhere off a united fans website of a plan they were encouraging fans to do in the event that ronaldo did stay at the club. Apparently they were telling fans to buy shirts off their website with “best 7″ on the back. Whenever ronaldo scored a goal for united they would turn their backs on him and display the best number 7 to him, to show their displeasure at him whilst showing their love for a true number 7. I personally feel this is a bit stupid as they are turning their back on the entire team, but still. I would personally boo him though.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:23
@samg: BRAVO mate. Well said. You made your statement and did not become personal in doing so. And I appreciate the fact that you reminded people that at the beginning, I was against selling Ronaldo because like many of you out there, I loved and was loyal to the player and I thought that it was all Real Madrid’s and Marca’s witchcraft that was causing this. Over the period of the EUROS we all learned a lot more of the situation and the character, or should I say lack of character shown by one Cristiano Ronaldo. At that point and especially after he agreed with Septic Bladder on the slavery issue, I took major offense and made a personal stand against a player I loved and adored. He has hurt more than the team’s spirit, he has probably damaged their confidence as well as their faith in him to perform to his best when he returns. Can you imagine how teammates will react now when he is selfish with th ball and his plans don’t work out? They may have sloughed off that kind of on field behavior before, but now, it will piss them off royally.
Well said and correctly said. Others should take note on how to make a statement without offending others with opposite views.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:24
@scoop: “you’d be booing from the stands which is just wrong directed at any player turning out in the red of Man Utd”
He is only turning out in a United shirt because has to, not that he wants to.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:29
@manuforlife: Too true mate. Why I let them get under my skin is my cross to bare. Notice though that others like you who share the same sentiment are never attacked or accused like I am. I guess I’m feeling a little persecuted because I think some really feel threatened by me as a person without them really knowing who I am. You are so right about me wasting my time with these people as well, we need to start talking about other topics that don’t involve CR7 because I think he brings out the worst in some of us. It just amazes me how some people turn a blind eye to his antics. That kind of tolerance and patience is not something I posses nor do I want to possess. I just don’t understand it. Ronaldo is wrong on so many levels and he is a traitor. Enough said.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:33
@Stephen: I can understand you totally. I don’t like them either but I guess I don’t live or feel the history as much as others who are from that region of England and who have dealt with the hatred and fierceness of that bitter rivalry. I understand and it though as I am originally from Edmonton Alberta and that city has a very hated and bitter rivalry with it’s ugly sister to the south Calgary. And as heated as it has become sometimes when our Canadian football and hockey teams meet, I’m sure it pales in comparison to Manchester vs Liverpool
July 25th, 2008 at 17:34
Grognard you whine for every thing pointed you way. They are just expressing their opinion about your opinion. Whilst i want Ronaldo to get boo’d. I think that all scoop is trying to say is that he doesn’t agree with you and you should’nt do it. HIS NOT FORCING YOU, his merely telling you, you shouldnt boo ronaldo. He never questioned your loyalty or your allegiance. But you off arguing like one baby.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:37
@Matthew: Players are not all stupid. No United player would think that fans were turning their backs on them as a team. They weren’t born yesterday and they can also read. They know exactly who that statement is directed to. And I for one would welcome it and encourage it id I could with the addition of Cantona7 as well. Can’t forget the King.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:41
@Stephen: I am with you mate. I loathe Liverpool. No other team comes close to the satisfaction I feel when they win fuck all. I get it from when I started following football in the 80’s and the red shite were walking away with everything. Love it that they are so useless these days.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:41
@Ishaq(South Africa): Now I’m being called a whining baby. “his merely telling you, you shouldn’t boo ronaldo.”.
Nobody tells me how to act or think. They can express how they act or think, like I do to them. If you can’t get that without making snide little remarks back to me then I can’t be bothered with you.
July 25th, 2008 at 17:43
@Ishaq(South Africa): Where about in SA are you from? Did you go to any of the games?
July 25th, 2008 at 17:46
@Grognard: I was brought up in the 80’s when Liverpool dominated the old first division, and it was sole destroying. They played boring football of passing the ball back to the goalkeeper when they were winning, also the press in the UK worship the club, as some sort of simbel of English football which I hate.
We do not get the credit in the UK that we deserve, winning but winning in style. Fergie never said a truer word when he said.
“I can understand why clubs come away from Anfield choking on their own vomit and biting their tongues knowing they have been done by the referee”
They was a saying back then.
Q: What was the Liverpool score?
A: one nil to Liverpool
Q: Who scored the penalty!
Sorry you probably know this but feels great getting off my chest!
July 25th, 2008 at 18:17
@Stephen: Listen, for what it’s worth know what you mean. I listen to an American footy podcast that some out there may know called World Football Daily. The main host is a devoted Chelsea fan from London and he absolutely hates all things Liverpool. He especially hates their supporters. That has not stopped the legions of Scouse loving morons to call that show. That show gets more Liverpool fans phoning in than all the other teams combined. They are everywhere like a bloody plague. No taste and no class and they are so sad to listen to because of their blind optimism and their constant reference to the distant past. Get over it already.
Even when they were European Champions in the 70’s and 80’s they played shite football and I am still trying to figure out how they won most of those finals. The score 3-1 against Borussia Moenchengladbach in 1977 was so misleading. They get three chances and scored three goals, and credit to them for that but BMG so outclassed them that night but had no luck. They beat FC Bruges 1-0 when any English team could have beaten that Belgian outfit by more. One chance against Real Madrid and it’s a 1-0 victory. They have never one a trophy with style or with domination offensively. They played a negative and very boring style of football and in fact, the reason Kevin Keegan left them to go to Hamburg was because he hated their style of play. He was quoted to have said this to Kicker Magazine (Yes I can speak and read a little German). He went to Germany in 1977 at a time when the Bundesliga was the top league in the world and where the offensive game was emphasized much more. He went on to win two Euro Player of the year awards and really opened up his game. While in England, European dominance continued with boring sides like Nottingham Forest and even Aston Villa winning Euro glory by playing awful and unattractive football. It helped that all these sides had great keepers, because they needed them. All this negative English success abroad was spawned by the success of Liverpool. Thank God Fergie came to the English game and showed an entire nation how the game should be and can be played with success. And the Scousers have been crying and bitching ever since. My heart bleeds for them…..NOT
July 25th, 2008 at 18:28
Speaking of Socusers, an old one by the name of Alan Hanson has come out in direct support of United and indirect support the Grognard with his take on the Ronaldo situation. Stephen, there may be some hope for some of them yet.
“Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has questioned the character of Cristiano Ronaldo in an exclusive interview with Setanta Sports News, and heaped praise on Manchester United for standing up to the bronzing wantaway. Hansen made 620 league appearances in an illustrious Anfield career that yielded eight league titles and three European Cups. The former Scotland international cannot begin to understand why Ronaldo would want to leave United in the summer after they won the league and European Cup double. And he believes Sir Alex Ferguson will have done football a service if he holds off Real Madrid’s advances this summer. “I only go on what I see in the papers but in the modern age if a player wants to go and someone wants to go they tend to sell them,” Hansen told Setanta Sports News. “But I think Manchester United have done really well with Ronaldo, making a stand and someone had to make a stand. “When I played the contracts were all in favour of the clubs. Now they’re all in favour of the players. It’s too easy for a guy to say he wants to go after signing a contract.
“Whether Ronaldo stays or not we’ll have to wait and see. Man United have made a stand and it’s good a stand has come from the top. “It’s a bad system where you can sign a four-year deal, win the Champions League and win The Premier League and be the best player in the country - and possibly the best player in the world – and still turn around and say you’re unhappy. “Why are you unhappy? You’ve just won the Champions League. You’ve just won The Premier League at a great club. But ‘I’m unhappy, I want to go somewhere else’. “I think there’s something fundamentally wrong with that, there’s a flaw in that system somewhere that people can be allowed to do that and its great Manchester United have taken a stand.”
July 25th, 2008 at 18:38
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=6614664
So Sir Alex says that Tevez in fact didnt say anything!
Now since every media outlet had ot say one thing or the other on that, either boss is lying or all of English media is! I tend to give benefit of doubt to SAF (out of loyalty) and believe him rather than the unscrupulous English/European media. It is really a crazy world out there… They are publishing anything and everything!!! Once Fabiano and that Brazilian RB dude were done deals but where are they now? Poor Grog lost at least a couple of litres of his blood sulking about Fabiano joining us! Then it has been every major player in the world being lined up for RM (including, of all people, Eto’o!!!) while they havent signed or even bid for anyone!!! And the media has very successfully alignated the best player at Utd from his fans!!! I dont even understand given so many lies floating all around why do people resort to hating whom we love (just because some idiot at guardian or Mail or Marca or whatever is imagining whatever and writing it as there are no major news in the footy world really these days). But my question is who is the loser in then end? It is Manchester United, the club! The media clearly doesnt like us (it is much more fun bringing down someone who is at the top rather than laud him - a very british thing!!!) so they are doing their bit. The fans have been unsettled clearly to the level that they will boo their own player.
This post is not really about taking sides with anybody but I am really disappointed taht people rather choose to believe any rumors rather than wait for facts. So far the only facts are Ronaldo is on a long term contract with utd, he hasnt asked for a transfer and the club doesnot need and does not want to sell him. unless a new fact emerges till 31st, he is still going to be a utd player. it would make no sense at all if in the end it emerged it was the case of much ado about nothing! In fact I am yet to see a video of Ronaldo expressing any admiration for Real Madrid!!! I searched a lot. Maybe if somebody has one, please share with me.
July 25th, 2008 at 18:41
Ronaldo should be boo’d, its not gonna help matters and its Manchester Unitd thats important not Ronaldo. We want to win and we need him to be at the top of his game whether we like him or not, we have more class than him so lets not stoop to his level.
The only thing that should be done, which he wil notice, is never sing another Ronaldo song again. He will get the messege.
July 25th, 2008 at 18:42
Ronaldo should not be boo’d, its not gonna help matters and its Manchester Unitd thats important not Ronaldo. We want to win and we need him to be at the top of his game whether we like him or not, we have more class than him so lets not stoop to his level.
The only thing that should be done, which he wil notice, is never sing another Ronaldo song again. He will get the messege.
July 25th, 2008 at 18:44
haha the first one was wrong by the way - RONALDO SHOULD NOT BE BOO’D is correct!
July 25th, 2008 at 18:54
@jos: And to add insult to injury, now some of that crappy media out there is reporting United are looking at Thierry Hnery as a fall back plan if they don’t get Berbatov. What a load of rubbish. It’s enough to make one lose his cookies. Just ridiculous. And yes the media has gone a long way in turning fans like myself into rabid wolves wanting Ronaldo’s blood when in fact, 90% of all this crap is probably nonsense. Quite the world we are living in.
July 25th, 2008 at 18:55
@Ryan: I think you meant to say SHOULD NOT be boo’d, correct? OOPS! Just noticed you made the correction in a second post.
July 25th, 2008 at 19:09
I have stopped believing any news about United now, the Media cannot be trusted anymore. I believe in Fergie and the media can kiss my ass from now on. Who cares anymore?
July 25th, 2008 at 19:57
The media is buggin now.
July 25th, 2008 at 20:14
Guys! Can anyone please console me? I dont think we are going to buy anyone this summer! Those shit Spurs are not going to let Berbatov come to us! And if he goes i dont think who will come! It just has been a frustrating summer! With the His Highness (THE SLAVE) and all! Seriously i am getting worried for the next season! Because now teams will know us inside out! And WE DESPERATELY NEED A PLAN B! Because! Umm please refer to the city derby at OT! Seriously if anyone can help me i would be grateful!
July 25th, 2008 at 20:17
@Grognard: I know exactly what you meant mate. Just because someone says fans ’should not’ boo a player doesn’t mean they are actually trying to dictate your actions. They are voicing their opinion. In my opinion fans should not boo a player. That is my opinion and it is one you can disagree with just the same as any other statement. I am not demanding that you not boo him. That is entirely up to you. I am not telling you how to think, i am telling you what i think. I stand by what i said. Supporters at a match should not boo ronaldo (only in my opinion) and it doesn’t matter what folk at home do. That’s how i feel a supporter should act, but i’m not going to demand it from anyone.
Also, you talk about ronaldo showing no loyalty to the team or fergie and about how he should honour a contract he only just signed a year ago. Well, hargreaves is one of your favourite players i believe and yet when we came in for him he decided he wanted to leave bayern, despite the fact he still had something like three years left of his contract, a contract which i believe he had only extended six months before then. We can’t have it both ways. No united fan has any problem with hargreaves, but it seems everyone has a problem with ronaldo.
July 25th, 2008 at 20:21
@Red Diablo: Join the club mate. I feel your pain. But lets keep a little optimism. Fergie may come through for us before it’s all said and done.
July 25th, 2008 at 20:31
So much for the Tevez bashing on this thread.
Have a bit of sense lads.
July 25th, 2008 at 20:31
@tevez: Harbgreaves was with Bayern since the age of 16. Thats over ten years with one club. At no time did he ever ask to be transferred until his boyhood team made a BID to buy him. At that point he said sure, why not. I’d love to finally play in England after ten years in Germany. He did not demand to to be transferred, he kindly asked Bayern if he could go. Bayern understood his request and actually commended him for his many years of loyal service. They were just unwilling to let him go at such short notice as they never felt confident that they could replace him before the 2006/07 season began. A year passed, they had time to prepare and Hargo played his usual professional way with the club until he got his injury. So I am sorry if I do not see things the same way. As you must know by now, I am a big Bayern Munich fan as well and so if I say there was no problem other than the shit storm the media conjured up, believe me. Bayern have no animosity or hard feelings towards United and in fact both Rummenigge and Beckenbauer have come out and criticized both Real Madrid and Ronaldo for this latest scandal.
Also, English is a very precise language of which I consider myself quite proficient in. Therefore I think I know the difference between someone giving his view on a subject and someone telling me I should think in a certain way. Their intention may have been innocent but their language was abrasive and demanding. Anyway, I’m over it now, I suggest you and some others leave it alone and lets start taliking about other things to do with our team, like what’s the deal with getting Berbatov? Are we or aren’t we?
July 25th, 2008 at 21:59
@Grognard: I see almost no difference. Ronaldo has not demanded a transfer either. If he stays, i’m sure he will also continue to play his usual game too. Ronaldo hasn’t clarified his position publicly, hargreaves publicly stated his desire to leave. I’d say that’s closer to demanding a transfer.
July 25th, 2008 at 22:16
@Grognard:
No many of those players didn’t, however a good few of them didn’t hit the ground running. As I say to you every time on this issue but which as always you ignore for every player who settles in immediately to the English league theres 3 others who took 6 months plus to find their feet. Now if Saha could be relied on, or Rooney and Tevez weren’t so similar then taking a risk on a none proven striker in this league is worthwhile but Saha cant be relied on and Rooney and Tevez dont offer us the options we need alone. Huntelaar would be an asset for the future but to be so reliant on him settling into the country, club and league and being the player we need immediately is taking one massive risk. If we are going to take a risk on a foreign based player like Huntelaar we need an English based player coming in also so the need for him to be an instant success isnt that great
July 25th, 2008 at 22:20
@wakey: I see what you are saying, but also any player coming into the club deserves a settling in time. We need to be accommodating of any player who comes in. It’s unfair to expect anyone to come into our side and hit the ground running — even English based players.
And considering our tough early season schedule this year, it’s immaterial who we bring in — we have to get off the blocks.
July 25th, 2008 at 22:43
exactly RR, yet fergie is sitting on his ass watching fucking taggart instead of making a bloody signing.
July 25th, 2008 at 22:45
that said, i wouldnt mind if the star striker everyone wants just happens to come from our ranks, just how tall is welbeck can i ask?
July 25th, 2008 at 23:08
@Red Diablo: With the comments from Fergie saying he’s satisfied and won’t worry about starting the season with the current squad(if the media is to be believed), it seems as if he’s given up and with the way Berbagate is heading, its looking more and more like we’re not gonna sign anyone. Sad, and i hope i’m proveb wrong…
July 25th, 2008 at 23:08
@jos:
Thats what annoys me (And BTW Grog the reason I reply to you and not the others is because most of them make no justification for their stance. You however continually state the reasons for your thinking, 99.9% of which are either flawed in logic, based on rumours or hypocritical. You also take a much more extreme and extremely right winged stance)
Everyone goes on about how badly he has treated the club and its fans but how has he done anything different to what he has done since the day he signed, or what Keane did every year, or Tevez has done ect ect
All we really have to go on is “its his dream”. The rest of the information has later turned out to be false or its of a “friend of a friend” nature. And yes maybe he could have been clearer but why does everyone join the bandwagon rather than realising theres two sides to this lack of clarity. He can after all enjoy being at United but be intrested in fulfilling a dream should the possibility be there, after all while real is his dream move United have a lot going for them so I highly doubt its an easy decision for him. You can hardly expect him to hand a transfer request in unless its something he is 100% in, especially in England where handing a transfer request in has a lot more stigma to it than in Europe where its more acceptable. And he is being hounded about this move, a move that he really cant comment one way or the other because for all Uniteds chest beating no-one knows if its something they will stand by. His “Only God knows my future” are only sinister if you read too much into it because all it really is is an honest statement that its out of his hands and not something he can comment on until an actual approach is made an the clubs intentions are shown.
Until there’s proof he has been malicious shouldnt we be giving him the benefit of the doubt and not going on the shit in the media and our over active imaginations. If he does something conformable to try and force a move then I’m all for slagging him off (although no matter what he does it should stop short of booing him when he plays for us as thats just despicable and ugly) but until then why look for the worst and rather keep an open mind while the so called evidence is shaky
July 25th, 2008 at 23:16
@Just1n: Hey man im from the province of kwa-zulu natal. I supposed to have made it for the pirates game(Durban) but unfortunately i am writin matric assessments.
July 25th, 2008 at 23:19
has for the barry situation who in the hell do villa fans think they are. they are lucky he even stayed longer then he should have. why do the media continue to think that it’s berbertov it could be anyone and if it is why is fergie buying this guy. he is not great in the air that is going to make terry and vidic to piss in their pance, like I said if united want a different striker you look for the the drogba eto’o type forward not a moody forward that’s character is not up to scratch, ronaldo is one headache dont want another.
July 25th, 2008 at 23:47
The mail report that United have agreed to a fee of 32 million pounds to make Tevez permanent…. Hell Grog you thought even 20 million was way too much for him… I don’t know what you have for this….
July 26th, 2008 at 0:10
@Krishnan: The Mail reports a lot of garbage and so I doubt it very much. Even so, if he signs for that kind of money and he can get it, I’m all for it. Why? Because at this stage I’m just happy to see a foreign player that wants to be here and who looks forward to it. But I’d wait and see if that is true.
July 26th, 2008 at 0:30
Now I don’t think Tevez is worth 32 million but I have no problem with it provided the team can afford it. Carlos has been a good player for us and has a lot of heart and desire if not any height and real goal scoring instinct. He still gets his share of goals and he works well with others and isn’t selfish. I’m very happy but please tell me why we are paying 32 million for Tevez when Fergie doesn’t want to go above 20 Million for a player he has coveted and admired for many years in Berbatov? No problem with Carlito, sin him up but why so cheap when it comes to a player you desire even more? I don’t get it. Just pay the muppet Levy the 30 Million he wants and lets be finished with this and start truly concentrating on the season. Dragging out this charade is not my idea of fun and it could potentially backfire on Fergie big time.
July 26th, 2008 at 0:34
Well more than one paper is reporting it as true so it must be. Welcome home Carlito. Now try not to break our hearts and pull off a Ronaldo in a year or true and you will be fondly revered and respected for decades to come. Also, signing Tevez gives us a lifeline into Argentina and Atletico as it will help us in the future if we try to get Aguero or Falcao or Sanchez etc. Those players now know that Carlos is here for a long spell and that might interest them more to have a compatriot fully dedicated to the team. It’s a good thing for sure.
July 26th, 2008 at 5:48
this seems more likley 15m with the rest to come in add ons
July 26th, 2008 at 5:53
link
July 26th, 2008 at 7:43
@Ishaq(South Africa): Sweet. I’m in Cape Town. I went to the Chiefs game. It’s laughable how serious the local lads take these friendly games. No wonder Rooney was losing the plot. Nice to have another SA lad on here. Good luck with the matric dude.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:53
I want to run some numbers by everyone.
Summer 2007: Anderson: ~17
Nani: ~14
Hargreaves: ~17
Tevez: FREE
Total = 48
Summer 2008 Tevez: ~32
Berbatov: ~24
Total = 56
I don’t understand why everyone thinks the club coffers are empty. I don’t think most of us really understand the complexities of modern global economics, and can thus not envisage how the owner of a team can staple on such massive debt and still be able to supply ample ammo for the market. I think we should expect at least 45 million for the market over the next couple of years.
I know Dimi isn’t a slam dunk yet, but last time I checked Ladbrokes the odds against were terrible. In regards to the banter in the rags regarding Levy, it is at worst pure fabrication, and at best posturing by a club dying to break the Big 4.
I think it is fair to say that Real Madrid have given up on Ronaldo. Valencia seem to be out of sorts and I think it is fair to say that Villa will go for about half what Ronaldo would have fetched. On CR, I don’t give two hoots about him unless he is wearing our shirt and kicking ass. Outside those 90 minutes, he can whine, tan, or go to the moon. It matters not. He has proven to be magical in our set-up, and as long as that continues, I love having him in the squad. If things turn sour and he can’t or doesn’t want to hack it, then bye-bye. That said, I honestly think he’ll stay until Fergie leaves and get to finish out his career at Madrid.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:57
@IBleedRed: There is a discrepancy there. We paid 10 million initially for Tevez for the 2 year loan. So 07 Tevez wasn’t free. However it remains to be seen how much of the 32 million is for this year.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:58
@Just1n: Lol yea man you should see my friends in school after we drew chiefs. They were like wah, european champions couldnt beat chiefs. Lol im taking alot of stick in recent days about our team and how they(chiefs) eliminated rooney from the game. I just hope, one day, Sir Alex brings his whole first team and we give them a damn good thrashing!!!
July 26th, 2008 at 8:09
@Just1n: Oh and thanks about the good luck wishes. Hoping to study next year. Cant wait for 2010 world cup. Its gonna take place whilst im in university… which is totally cool. Going to go with all the buddies. Not sure which team im going to support though. Especially now that Ronaldo is leaving us. Would my heart still lie with Portugal? Lol I have no hope for our national team.
Anyways do you work in Cape Town
July 26th, 2008 at 9:06
I’m happy to know that United have a permanent move for Carlos Tevez. I feel he should stay at Old Trafford because this is where he belongs.
I can only see more positive out of this and my sincere hope is that both for him and the club, the more great success will follow.
What do you think about this? Do you think United should keep him permanently? I would love to hear your thoughts/comment/opinion on my blog. I’ve just posted an article about this.
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/07/united-to-break-bank-for-tevez.html
July 26th, 2008 at 9:17
I’m not sure about these figures for Tevez.
Imo £32 mil sounds like too much. It’s not that I think, Tevez is not worth it, because I think he’s awesome. But both SAF and Gill have said quite a few times from when the loan spell started that the price for Tevez was in place, and that it was a very good price. To me, £32 mil doesn’t sound like a very good price.
When SAF and Gill say something like this, to me it sounds more like £15-20 mil. And I think, the price will be in that area, because we’ve already paid 10 mil for the loan.
And the journalism isn’t the best. It’s based on Gill’s statement that we can sign him anytime we want to. Gill said that we can sign him in “September, October, November, December”. That doesn’t necessarily mean that that will happen. But these papers make it sound like it’ll surely happen before December, because that’s the last month he mentioned, and that makes a story.
We’ll see when we sign him, and that doesn’t really matter, as long as we have him.
But the price tag isn’t up there around £32 mil.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:20
this is my 1st post but ive been checking out this blog regularly.
very excited im going to the game today
July 26th, 2008 at 9:31
@Grognard: Hey do you mind giving me some points? Or have i been grogonified?
July 26th, 2008 at 9:53
@Red Diablo: In an effort to lessen the weight of Grognard in here (I’m sorry, but I think Grog is a little bit too important to a lot of people in here. He’s being treated as if he holds all the answers, and I’m sure that not even Grognard himself feels this way
), I’ll answer you.
We will sign someone, and it’ll most likely be Berbatov. Even if Spurs sell Keane to the scouse bastards, Berbatov wants out, and he’s wanted that for quite some time now. He’ll be expensive, but we have the money.
About teams knowing us inside out. That may be, but they had the same knowledge last season. Problem for most of our opponents is that they can do very little about it because of the quality of our players.
And don’t forget, it’s not like we have no knowledge about our opponents. For instance, we know exactly what players Chelsea have, and how they play.
Only difference (and why we won the double) is that we have better individual players than most other teams. And we have these players next season as well, and they won’t be worse. We have a fantastic squad even without signings, people tend to forget this.
July 26th, 2008 at 11:32
@Tomas: HEHE! Ok I guess then i have been TOMASified!
Anyway look! What if berba doesnt come? U know that spurs are trying to sell him to ANYONE BUT United! And I think if Berba doesnt come then which striker will? Fergie is only serious about Berba! and due to that! Rooney would again be sacrificed this year! 
So? how can you explain that?
July 26th, 2008 at 12:02
@Red Diablo: I don’t know, if there’s anything to explain per se, but I can give you my view on it. It seems that Berbatov is our main target, and I’m fine with that. But I’m pretty sure, SAF has someone else ligned up, should Berbatov go to Milan or Barcelona.
Problem for Tottenham is that there are not many clubs that can afford Berbatov, and some of those that can are not interested. AC Milan don’t have the money, I think. They made it clear earlier in the summer that they would go for either Ronaldinho OR Adebayor. They got Ronaldinho, so I don’t think we’ll see any more major signings from them, unless they sell Kaka, which is highly unlikely imo. They need Kaka to be succesful.
Barcelona seems the best other option for Barcelona, but I’m pretty sure, they are after Adebayor, which meens Berbatov would be their backup. This meens that it’ll take some time for Barca to get to him, because they want to explore all possibilities with Adebayor first. And as long as Adebayor hasn’t signed an extension in Arsenal, the lure of a big paycheck may convince Adebayor to go to Spain. If he does sign an extension, Barca will have to look at other options. Problem for them is that August is coming fast, and Berbatov will look to seal his move sooner rather than later (one of the reason why he was recently fined by the manager for acting like a 10 yo in training - he wants out). At the same time, we need to close the deal fast to get him ready for those first matches without Ronaldo and Nani, and therefore, we’ll pay what’s necessary. And the bid will come soon. I reckon that as soon as we get back from SA, negotiations will pick up speed, and he’ll be with us in a week or two.
Have faith in the club and the people there. I agree that it’s time Rooney is played, where he plays the best, and SAF knows this. That’s why he’s so sure, he’ll get his man (he said he was quite sure to get the player, we had made a bid for - or something like that).
And even if we don’t get him, Rooney’s role will just be the same as last season, which worked fine and gave us 2 trophies. Don’t be so nervous about our inactivity in the transfer market. I’d be a lot more worried, if we needed to sign 4 or 5 players (or even more like Liverpool), because that would mean our current squad wasn’t good enough.
The season will be great… don’t worry.
July 26th, 2008 at 12:20
@Tomas: Ok Thanx Tomas i DO feel alot better! GO MUFC! OH and i would like to announce one more thing! FOLKS! I have been TOMASified!
July 26th, 2008 at 13:10
new post up
July 26th, 2008 at 14:36
@Red Diablo: I’m glad - you’ve entered a more positive world than the Grognified ones
July 26th, 2008 at 16:30
@Red Diablo: Sorry for the late reply but I assume you are posting from a completely opposite time zone as I just woke up. Problem is that I can’t seem to find the post where you actually ask me a question. I may be blind or still asleep but I am trying to make sense of your post #171. Fortunately Tomas saw fit to answer the questions for me and for that I am grateful. Even if he thinks I may be relied on too much or that some find me far too important, it is appreciated.
First off, no you have not been Grognified (whatever that may actually mean). Secondly, I can’t add much more to what Tomas said regarding Berbatov. I agree with his assessment. I’ll just add that I think Fergie is a sly old fox and he is not one to show his hand openly. I’m sure he knows something we don’t and so I think there is a reason or plan for his stalling tactics. Personally I think he has been waiting for Spurs to sell Keane and then buy his replacement. Levy knows clearly that Berbatov wants out and so there is no way he will be holding on to him. Problem is that Spurs don’t want to let him go until they have acquired a replacement. I think Fergie is biding his time until the final hour when Levy will have no choice and when United might actually be able to buy him for a price closer to their bid and not Spurs asking price. The fact that other teams are interested concerns me but not as much as one might think. Berbatov wants the Champions League. AC Milan are not even in the league this season. In that case staying at Spurs is no different. Secondly Barcelona already have promised Henry the starting striker role unless of course they are able to sign Adebayor. I don’t think they are serious about Berbatov. I think that rumor was started to get Arsenal to get off their duffs and do a deal for Adebayor. There are no other teams that I can think of with high CL hopes that are in for Berbatov and I think as the season gets closer, Berbatov will crack and end his silence. He will demand a move to United and Levy, unlike Fergie will buckle to the deamand and sell him.
As for plan B’s I think there are two viable ones. Forget Falcao in Argentina, he’s not coming. I don’t think Fergie was ever really interested in Fabiano or Santa Cruz either. Those were just rumors designed to piss off the Grognard. I think the next choice will be Huntelaar but I think that Ajax will see the situation for what it is and ay price him out of contention. It’s too late in the game to now go for Huntelaar in my opinion even though Ajax did secure the rights to his replacement a month ago. Still, it is possible he could still end up in Man Red and that for me would be a dream come true as you must know. He has always been my first choice. The second choice is not so outlandish on further thought. Thierry Henry will not be happy if by some remote chance Barca do buy Berbatov or Adebayor. If so, I can see the French legend consider the unthinkable and come to OT. I think he misses the EPL big tie and I think he still has a little bit left in the tank. I personally hate his guts but in comparison to my present feelings for Ronaldo, I would consider marrying the guy. After him I don’t see any options except the obvious ones. Keep Saha (GOD FORBID) and give a few of the reserves a chance like Campbell or Welbeck. With Ronaldo out for two months I think that would be catastrophic. We need a experienced and world class infusion right now, not kids. Get rid of Saha and promote Campbell to #4 striker, but still get us a true #1 striker. I think Fergie still has one big move planned and I do believe he will get it. And that move means Berbatov.
Well there you go. Fortunately I am long winded enough that I was able to offer up more than I thought I would.
July 26th, 2008 at 16:34
@Tomas: Gosh, I only see my importance as mostly being to people who actually hate my guts. Do they really count?
And I am not as negative as I may come across sometimes. This Ronaldo thing has got me down no doubt, but other than that, I can only think of two or three……….thousand things that I am negative about. 
July 26th, 2008 at 19:37
@Grognard: Hey OK! Thank you! Grognard and Tomas for the maximum possible indebt analysis that you could give! Anyway i guess my heart has lightened up a bit! Oh and to Grognard! Yeah i live in pakistan! So if u are in UK then that is a 5 hours difference!
July 26th, 2008 at 23:33
@Red Diablo: I’m in Vancouver Canada. Probably as far as you can get from Pakistan. But we have a rather large Pakistani community within the city so I guess I’m closer than I think.
July 27th, 2008 at 9:47
@Grognard: NICE
July 27th, 2008 at 14:40
can people explain this to me, I am not only getting angered but disturbed at the coverage united have gotten over the summer, instead of the media writing columns on how great united have been winning a great double. all we have heard is how ferguson ronaldo and united have now ruined rooney, rooney has made a big mistake moving to united and still the media even have the nerve having the time to praise wenger has a manager even though he continues to fail, who now seems to be yesterdays manager. We did not hear what the ronaldo situation was it was rammed shoved and forced down our throats.
Remember when arsenal beat an average side 7 0 in November, the amount of columns reports and coverage they got was ridiculous it’s like they won something. if arsenal done what man utd have done over the past couple of years we would not here the end of it. that is a fact because look at the hype arsenal got in their unbeaten season as the media loved to call them the invincible’s, what did they do since they never achieved back to back titles won a european cup and win both the league and european cup in one season.
July 27th, 2008 at 18:56
Apologies everyone for harping back to a previous point of booing from points 90 – 117. Haven’t got internet at home and this has been my first access to the internet since Friday.
@Grognard:
What planet are you on? Youre sorry but I just don’t get it mate I get it totally you’re the one who has missed the point completely!
I voiced an opinion about booing Ronaldo at a football match not the metaphorical rubbish you talk about. I selected your comments and said they were out of order and I disagreed with them as I would anybody who boos Ronaldo. At no point did I tell you what you can and can’t do where the feck did you get that idea from? You can boo him all you like from home, the stands metaphorically or wherever that’s completely your prerogative I just don’t agree with it.
I respectfully acknowledge the opinion of people who want and will boo him I just totally disagree with it and I wish they wouldn’t but if they do thats entirely their decision. Im not going to have the ignorance to come out and tell them to “piss off” and if anyone is over reacting to this it is you!
This is a Man Utd forum where you can express an opinion which is what I did!
“I value my freedom of speech and expression so perhaps you can now understand better why I took such offense”
No I don’t understand! How did I interfere with your freedom of speech? You want to boo him good for you I don’t agree!
I will agree that Im happy now to move on and leave this behind us now that Ive made my position clear.
@Stephen:
Totally agree mate Ronaldo if he is still with us will be turning out in the Red of Utd because he has to and not because he wants to and that is sickening to me. I said from the very start once this saga started gathering momentum that we should sell up and get top dollar for him I mean really stick the financial knife into Real.
It should be an honour for Ronaldo to pull on that no7 Man Utd jersey considering the legends that have adorned it before him and not be wishing he was playing for another team – fuck that. Thanks Ronaldo but cheerio!
However I still wouldn’t boo the chap for reasons I have already mentioned.
This is like closing the gate once the horse has bolted. These comments should have been made on Friday. Once again sorry for harping back to old news but I still need to get t’internet setup at home.