May 31
Nani and Anderson — Managed
Roy Keane wrote in his autobiography (or at least said to the Ronaldo-hating Eamon Dunphy) that even though Sir Alex Ferguson is not the best coach, he is an incredible manager of men. And he’s proved it again this season with his exceptional handling of Nani and Anderson.
On the face of it, this was a really difficult ask. Both came to us out of the blue, with big price tags and big things to live up to. The press were totally blindsided by the speed of our moves, but when they recovered our new signings were hailed as the “next Ronaldo” and the “next Ronaldinho” respectively. Everyone dug up YouTube videos proving that these guys were the best thing since sliced bread, and some even put them straight into the first XI on general principle. To make matters worse, neither had lived in England before, and neither spoke the language.
Despite all this, Fergie ensured a smooth transition which leaves us now with two genuine stars in our squad, rather than two pissed-off, burned out and frustrated starlets.
Lowered expectations
The first part of this process was to ensure that both the press and the fans expected nothing. Whenever anyone at United was asked about them over the summer and at the start of the season, the response always came back that they were still learning, and only going to be used sparingly off the bench. It was difficult to adjust to English football, the party line went, so give these boys a season to settle in.
They did better than that. Nani was a key part of our attack in the injury-hit goal drought that was the first few matches of the season — without his screamer against Spurs, the wheels might have been off our title bid before we got started. Anderson didn’t impress on his first couple of appearances, but then came on as a sub against Wigan and dominated the game. Before we knew it, he was winning midfield battles against Gerrard and Fabregas.
But the key was that each good performance was seen as a bonus, and treated as such. There was no talk of “he’ll need a few more games like that to justify his transfer fee” or “only what you’d expect from a £17m winger”. Just good stuff, both from the fans and the media.
Quitting whilst ahead
OK, so far so good. We were impressed by most of what we’d seen, and were filing these guys in the list headed “Evra, Vidic, Ronaldo” rather than “Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba, Poborsky”. But with Giggsy underperforming, Carrick sulking and Hargreaves injured, a lot of managers (Wenger included, I think) would have decided to make them first choice starters until further notice.
Instead, Fergie held both back. Nani started only 26 games in all competitions, and Anderson only 25. Compare this to Giggs (33) and Scholes (30), supposedly fading; Carrick (39) and Tevez (39), who had patches of not starting; Rio (51) and Brown (48), the near-ever presents.
He did so differently for each player, as well. Nani was used sporadically throughout the season, whereas Anderson was allowed to play and play through the middle of the season while his confidence was high and his form was good. We saw the best of each — Nani’s trickery, shot from distance and delivery from set-pieces; Anderson’s strength, drive and (frankly) ability to run games — without having their flaws shown up by the continued glare of the spotlight.
We all know how much the English press loves to bring down the people it has just built up, and if either had been forced to play through a patch of bad form in public, you can imagine the mud that would have been slung. Instead, both can look back on the season with a warm glow, knowing they were a real part of, and positive influence on, a great side.
The velvet glove…
You may not read the tabloids (in which case, good for you), but you’re probably aware of the stories surrounding Ronaldo, Anderson and the ladies of the night. You probably do read the sports papers, and you may have noticed the lack of interviews given by Nani and Anderson.
Whilst I’m not saying that Fergie lined up prozzies to make his youngsters feel at home, it is obvious that he has allowed them to settle into Manchester in their own way. He has not sought to keep them under lock and key, something that would almost certainly have provoked discontent, but has done his best to protect them from the glare of the media off the pitch as well as on.
The final cameo
The last second CL final substitution of Anderson for Wes Brown, and the decision to allow both him and Nani to take penalties in the shoot-out, spoke volumes for both the self-confidence that they had developed over the season (not to mention the trust the gaffer was prepared to put in them). It would have been so easy to get the experienced heads to step up (I expected to see Giggsy before then), but what a sensational boost for the two lads to take into next season.
I know this post is unremittingly positive, which can be a bit boring. I’m not sure I’m even being that controversial. Far more fun to nit-pick over Rooney’s performance or Carrick’s value for money. But this superbly thought out, flexible management of two players who will now be an integral part of our team and squad for the next five years must be recognised for the achievement it is.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Transfer magic / what next for United?
- Anderson Glad to be Back
- Nani and Anderson – The Future Gets Brighter
- Has Anderson Done A Nani?
- Blackburn 1-1 Man Utd: Another Tevez Late Goal
Tags: Manchester United Players
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
excellent, excellent article, and i agree 100%, before the pool game, nani was awesome, if ronaldo was injured till the end of the season, i wouldn’t care because nani had such great form, but unfortunately it was the other way around, but even in his lack format the end of the season he still managed to knock giggs out of the starting line-up for the last few remaining games. and anderson, well he just gave the boss a dilemma every game of the season, when scholes was out injured, he was not missed, that shows how good this kid is, and he has a genuine chance next seson to be in are starting 11, at the tender age 20. the next ronaldinho, he isnt, but he will be one heck of a player, definitely better i reckon, he’s got the pace, the strength, the skills(even though he was reluctant to show them off, remember the nutmeg on cesc!) if he can work on his shooting, and stop being afraid of showing of his skills* then he, can become a great.
*i wonder if he’s holding back his skills just so he doesn’t up stage ronaldo?
Like?
0 
0
WARNING: Off topic post!
For Chrissakes, Ronaldo has now seemingly set a trend/fad of wanting to play in La Liga, because now Tevez has also jumped on the bandwagon and said how he’d love to play in Spain one day. But thankfully, he also states that that day is a “long way off”, so we’ll definitely hang onto him for the near future (at least for the next couple of seasons, hopefully!).
Like?
0 
0
What I like about the addition of these two young players is the slight shift in mood of the team. The Latin touch.
A new phase for English football, where, instead of getting ageing has-beens looking for a nice retirement package, we are getting the best young talent.
Now United have the brilliant mix of the British spirit with the playfulness/technicality of the Latin players.
Being English I know only too well that blood and guts can get you only so far, you need a bit of cheekiness, provocation and the ability to dare to make things happen.
A can’t wait to see Anderson and Nani develop, they really seam to love football, a little bit like George Best in the video clip the other day…I’ve never seen someone look so happy to be playing the game…
Like?
0 
0
Yep I also agree that its an excellent article. One hopes that Anderson can finally start to also add some goals to his amazing repertoire. If he can work on his finishing (often it was terribly wayward last season) and start to bang some in, then he is well on his way to becoming a truly awesome player.
I’ve been very impressed with Nani too. This season he’s scored some important goals (Spurs at OT), some big goals (against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool) and some truly amazing screamers (Boro), as well as providing a number of crucial assists, showboating his undoubted skill to the Old Trafford faithful AND managing to screw some fit totty along the way (!). All in his first year too. What can I say? A great player with a great future ahead of him.
Like?
0 
0
Fantastic signings, and a huge contribution made to our double success this season, capped by their excellent penalties in the European Cup Final. They will get even better next season. Nice one lads!
Like?
0 
0
I agree with Nino. If Real Madrid are allowed to get Ronaldo, then we will become a feeder club for them, because they will use the exact same tactics they used successfully to grab Ronaldo. Every time we have a great player they want, especially our foreign players, they will give us all this relentless pursueing again. So Penguin, how can you be sure that we will have Nani, Anderson and Tev as an integral part of our team for the next 4-5 years. As Nino says, Tev is already souding Spain out. It stinks!. I really thought Tev was RED Tev, but maybe he has just been fooling us all along too.
Like?
0 
0
I have just bloody had it with this Ronaldo business. This is exactly how sleazy Real Madrid can get. They are told to shut up by FIFA and so what do they do to continue the tap up process. They recruit Ronny’s grandfather and Big Phil to do the job for them. I’m sure they payed off the two to continue the assault on our eyes and ears. They are beyond immoral. If indeed the lad is waiting until after the Euros to drop the bombshell on all of us I think he should be taken out back and horse whipped. Thanks for the warning and thanks for giving us a fighting chance to retool in time for the new season. So help me he will receive the killer Greek curse of all time if he bolts on us after the Euros. It would show a case of disloyalty, callousness and lack of gratitude to Fergie and the organization that did so much for him. God help him if he does this. Having said this, I don’t think he is going anywhere. Real is just working their witchcraft.
Like?
0 
0
Exellent article! Anderson is my fave player, he has really impressed me this season. I remember that he said he was a life-long United fan when he signed and everyone was being pessimistic to this statement. They thought he only wanted the fans to like him more, but he has shown that he loves United. Both on and off the pitch. He has given everything in every game, he says he loves United and never wants to leave(you might learn something Ronaldo!) and his ability and confidence is his strongest assets. I must say that I love the player, his energy and the way he has played…..I could go on all night praising Anderson, but I will make it shorter with 4 sentanses: He made us forget Scholes in 5 months! He dominated the midfield against players like Gerrard, Fabregas, Veloso and De Rossi! He always plays with a smile that makes all the fans happy too! He scored the 6th most important goal for us this season when all the pressure of the universe was on his shoulders! (Most important: 1st: Scholes vs Barca. 2nd: Giggs and Ronny vs Wigan. 3rd: Ronaldo vs Chelski. 4th: Tevez vs Blackburn. 5th: Hargreaves vs Arse. 6th. Anderson vs Chelski, CL final.) He scored the penalty goal that gave us the lead back in Moscow and I set that goal really high! Well done!
Now, I will praise Nani! His contribution this season has been immense. All his assists, his goals, match winning displays, set pieces and his on-field frindship with everyone can show. He did something stupid vs West Ham, but I am here to praise. I think his most important moment this season was against Spurse, except for the Chelsea penalty. And when I mean vs Spurs, I dont meen his goal in August, I meen his assist in February. Had it not been for that corner, we would not have won the league. Fact! I love both players, but Anderson has impressed me the most. Nani is an exellent player, and will become a United great in the future, if he stays.
Next season we will see more of Anderson and Nani. Fergie is thinking about the future of the club and will use them more often. Scholes and Giggs, both are getting older, and Andy and Nani only get better with age, so why not see more of them newxt season. I will finish with my dream first 11 next season: VDS; Richards, Rio, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Anderson, Hargreaves, Nani; Rooney/Tevez, Huntelaar. May my dream come true…
Like?
0 
0
BTW, I hate Real soooo much! I would rather see Barca get Ronaldo than Real. At least Barca have some moral…
Like?
0 
0
Don’t be fooled. This article isn’t about Nani and Anderson (or, based on your comments, Ronaldo). It’s about Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager ever!
Like?
0 
0
Fergie is an exellent manager and man! He has shown it with his career, his buys, his man-management and motivation. I am confident Ronaldo will stay in United as long Fergie or CQ is the manager.
Like?
0 
0
I just wonder, who will you be supporting during the European Championship? I will be supporting Portugal and Germany. Portugal if those two meet eachother. I cant live a whole summer without football, its just too long…
Like?
0 
0
Red Devil, wish I was as confident about Ronaldo staying until Fergie & CQ go. Alas, I will be very suprised if this is the case, because Ronaldo does like to go a-whoring!.
I will be supporting Holland in the Euro’s. I hope Edwin keeps out every Ronaldo shot, free kick and penalty. I hope the dutch defence are on top form, and Ronnie keeps finishing up on his arse, throwing his arms in the air, remonstrating to no effect, AS BLOODY USUAL!. Only thing is, my heart will be torn if Little Man Nani is playing for the Portu-geezers. I bloodyy love the kid as you all know. So sad he is in the same team as Ronaldo at the moment. Even if Ronaldo does decide to stay after all the blood mind games he’s been playing with us, who really cares or supports him anymore, I certainly don’t!.
Like?
0 
0
Craig MC- I will always wish Ronaldo the best, unless he plays against United! If he leaves, we have to remember him for what he has done here at United in these 4 years, not this period when he has been treating the fans like shit and confusing us. But at the moment he is a United player. For all we know, he may only do this I-may-stay-and-I-may-leave thing cause he wants to know how much we love him and stand by him when he does bad things. We stand united behind our players in good times and in bad times. He is, and always will be one of my fave players.
Like?
0 
0
czech republic, shame nedved retired. he was the reason i watched their matches in the first place.
Like?
0 
0
i will be happy if ronaldo decides to stay , and i will be happy if he leaves. maybe rooney can stop living in his shadow
Like?
0 
0
I dont want to talk about possible transfers for other wingers until we know if Ronaldo will leave for sure.
Like?
0 
0
Red Devil, that’s OK mate, I have no problem with Ronaldo being your favourite player. I just lost respect for him, as I would any player WHO DID our club as he has been doing us lately. He’ll never have my support again. Sorry Red Devil, I’m not trying to deliberately irk anybody, but I detest Ronaldo’s behaviour and double mindedness towards a club that has only done great good to him, and got him where he is today.
Like?
0 
0
LOL
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4040513.ece
Like?
0 
0
I see what you’re saying Craig but I think you’ve been taken in a little by Marca and the press in general. You havn’t actually seen Ronaldo say any of the things that the press have been using to generate these stories! There either translated by mischevous Spanish or English press. Whenever asked he’s stated he’s happy for now but the future who knows? If we’re all honest we never thought he’d be a lifer! The giggs, scholes and maldini’s of this world are thin on the ground right now, and Ronnies just being honest!
Your entitled to your opinion but until he’s actually defected your stance is a little premature!
Like?
0 
0
brazil plays canada today in seattle, got good tickets and hope anderson plays at lesat 45 mins. he’s still only 20 but hopefully he can start takin control of the brazlian midfield on a regular basis soon. ando will not only be united legend but also a brazlian legend!
Like?
0 
0
Craig MC- I dont blame you. I understand you, but I would like everyone to give Ronny another chance to prove he loves this club.
Like?
0 
0
Ali- Fergie seems to be desperate to keep Ronaldo! I dont blame him, but I think it is more important that he talks some sense into Ronaldo before its too late. Hopefully Ronaldo will open his eyes and see where he is. He is a smart guy, no doubt, but I just wonder if he is blinded by his ambition to go to “the worlds best club”! Just open your eyes and see that United IS the worlds best club and Real WAS! Well, Ill tell ya somethin`! Id luv it if you score the winner against them in next seasons Champions League final, Luv it! Ill tell ya, Real Madrid are shite!
Like?
0 
0
Jacko – I know the press are mischieveous as you put it, but Ronaldo has had every opportunity to make things abundantly clear that he has no intention of leaving United for however many years – 2, 3, whatever. For instance, Flamini, Hleb, Bentley etc have been up front that they want out of their clubs, same with Drogba. Chelsea were going after Torres, but Torres came out straight away and said he was not leaving L’Pool. He has stuck to that comment. Ronaldo in press interviews that I have seen or heard, ALWAYS talks with forked tongue, and it changes each time I hear him, and I do mean hear him Jacko!. It may be a little premature to believe that he is intent on going to Real and not returning to us. But to be honest Jacko, what I am saying is that I couldn’t care less anymore. I loved Ronaldo as much as anyone else, but when has he actually considered Fergie and CQ in all of this?. Never!. He could say straight out, confirming that what our management team says is true, but he never does. We just get more muddled words from him. I believe there is no smoke without fire Jacko. But what I hate even more mate, is that our club for weeks now has been all about Ronaldo – and it is just sickening to be honest. We are Manchester United, not some bum hick town team!. Not trying to come against you Jacko, but I’m just so over Ronaldo – sorry!.
Like?
0 
0
Sorry guys but lets ease up! I was talking to this guy the other day who was ‘George Best’d’ out… He had George Best everywhere… It was wierd, almost sick… The guy was 65 and showed my pictures on his mobile phone of his room that had Georgie Best shrines everywhere…
I asked him to compare Best with Ronaldo, and he said Ronaldo is the same level, with a better header.
Ronaldo is a great… He won us the double last year… (with alot of help) but he was the driving force… If he stays, good on him. Which i think he will atleast while Fergie is here. He is a talent that i still can’t imagine seeing in any other colour. However if he does go… I’ll look to the team effort against Arsenal as something to look forward to, cos i think our team play will be so much better.
That being said.. I have loved watching his tricks, flicks, free kicks, headers. I could do with him not throwing his hands up every two seconds and sooking but fuck no ones perfect.
I just don’t see him leaving after Anderson and Nani have just joined.. He must be loving having his mates at the club… to grow together.
Ronaldo just loves this shit… Just like after the world cup “I’m leaving” everyone says no no ur the best, stay and he does…
Everyone thinks the grass is greener, but i believe common sense will prevail.
If not… Lets take the 50 million, thank him for his time and move on!
Glory Man Utd
Like?
0 
0
Fair enough Craig I take your point! I just prefer as a Manc who works in Liverpool to revel in the fact we are the european champions! I accept that there’s a lot of press speculation at this time of year and take it all with a pinch of salt until it happens to be honest! Feel what you feel but please mate don’t Piss on your chips should he be at Old Trafford come August 31st!
These are the good times!
Like?
0 
0
Craig: Why don’t we just shoot Ronaldo and be done with it? The truth is that his comments are always along the same lines (as they have been for years), he is happy at the club etc, but he is never certain what the future holds. Quite frankly I have more time for him saying that than coming out with the usual bullshit clichés about having the ‘club in his blood and intending to stay here for the rest of his career’ that most other players tend to trot out.
I think the old saying innocent till proven guilty is applicable here. What do we know for certain? Madrid are up to their usual antics, par for the course every summer (even if the target changes), nothing more nothing less. Ronaldo has no obligation to tell us his intentions, whether they are stay or go. And I know someone will start about the unstinting support he received from the fans and management. Well there was fair proportion of those fans who rolled their eyes and groaned when he frequently lost the ball in his first couple of years. There was a not insignificant number who would have had him booted out the door after Euro 2006. Even now, at the first signs of trouble, there are plenty who would quickly turn on him with little in the way of firm evidence of wrong doing.
Whatever obligation or debt he may have owed to the management and support he has amply repaid with a haul approaching 100 goals and assists in two years, two league trophies, a CL win and a series of inspired performances as exciting and entertaining as you could ask for. If he wants to go, fine, it is his career and the club will get more than adequately compensated for his departure. If not, brilliant we have the world’s best player in the team. But regardless, let us save the condemnation until we have something to judge him on.
Like?
0 
0
JB. Spot on fella! Well said!
Like?
0 
0
Wow, it looks like theres no safe place to hide from not reading the Ronaldo will he or he won’t discussion, somehow this thread has veered into that course.
Anyway about Nani and Anderson, i’d say Nani needs a little bit more work, he needs to get some Rooneyish attitude with the ball, he exhibited some selfish traits last season which infuriated Rooney himself. Sometimes he does this things when instead of passing to someone else, he runs with the ball, gets himself stuck between two opposing players then bottles it. His decision making with the ball needs some work.
Like?
0 
0
JB – there is a serious penalty for going around shooting people, no matter how tempting a prospect it might seem to be!. I’m not entirely at one with you about Ronaldo, but I agree I have said enough about him, and this subject, so I will leave it be henceforth lol – I hear the communal sigh of relief!.
Jacko – it is for United fans the best time to be working in L’Pool, to brag about our team being Euro champions. I hope you have plenty of banter with the scousers about this. But I gotta ask you mate, what does it mean not to “piss on your chips?.” Not heard that expression before!!!!
Like?
0 
0
Hahaha. Sorry Craig its a mancunianism. In short it means don’t rain on your own parade!? Don’t force yourself into a corner basically. Where you from bud?
Like?
0 
0
O Ok – got it now Jacko!. I’m a Salford lad born and bred, and breastfed Man Utd since I was a bain. Never heard the piss on the chips thing though, but rain on your parade (americanism), and back yorself into a corner, yeah I heard of them of course. So thanks for enlightening me on the piss/rain thing lol.
Like?
0 
0
I like what I am reading today where Fergie has said that he’d rather have Ronaldo sit on the bench and rot than to sell him to Madrid and the Glazer’s concur with him. It’s about principle and not allowing Madrid to run roughshod over everyone they feel they can get their way with. United and Fergie refuse to be treated like a second tier club and I say HERE HERE to that. This will also teach Ronny that he can’t get his way or have his cake and eat it too. You sign a contract, you better learn to honor it. Bullshitting your way out by saying stupid and extremely disloyal things in not going to endear you to a club or a man that has done wonders for your career. Stop being like Real and stop acting like a spoilt punk. The sooner this controversy over his future is over with the better I will be. I’d rather be more concerned about who we plan to sign.
Like?
0 
0
The People claims that Fergie is lining up a 30 million bid for Benzema next week.
Like?
0 
0
Agree Groggy!
Like?
0 
0
I have read many papers/sites where Fergies thoughts about Ronaldo are shown. It looks like Ronaldo wants to leave United and has made up his mind, but Fergie is looking at the big picture. He is not thinking: “Oh no, Ronaldo, the best player in the world, will leave us and go to a club that will get even better with him. And that may also make United worse!” Fergie is thinking: “I dont want to sell Ronaldo to these fucking bastards. They have no respect for any club except for themselves and thinks that the best club in the world is shite. They think they can boss everyone around. Oh no, United dont need Ronaldo if he wants to go to a club that is disrespectful to everyone. If he leaves, it will not be to Real! We are not their reserve team, they will not get another player from us.”
In 2003, Beckham joined them. In 2006, Ruud joined them. In 2007, Heinze the scouser joined them. In 2008, Ronaldo will not join them. I have read these articles soo many times that I am now convinced that Ronaldo has told Fergie he doesnt want to stay. I hope I am wrong, but I am 80% sure Ronny will leave this summer. But I am 100% sure that Real will not get him!
Craig MC, I see your point. He is an illoyal boy that doesnt seem to care about anyone except for himself. And if his last touch on a football in a United shirt will be the penalty missed against Chelsea, then so be it. Clubs I dont want Ronaldo to join: Real Madrid, any team in the Premier League. Let him leave for Barca, Bayern, Lyon even Celtic. Just dont let him join Real!
If he leaves then we will cope. We have Nani, Giggs, Park, Rooney and Evra that all can play on the wing. None in Ronaldos class, but all team players….even Nani.
Like?
0 
0
the piece on ando and nani is incredible. i really believe there lies the future of our great club.. screw madrid and marca. pundits believe the turning point in our season was the scholesy injury in oct. i definitely agree. anderson stepped in those big shoes and rocked. albeit being a bit frugal with his samba, the boy rocked. he made me real proud of fergie. i dont know if he is the next ronaldinho and frankly i dont give a hoot.he is the next ANDERSON period. i get goose bumps just thinking of next season especially as the gaffer has some major transfer bisness to do. Now my boy nani.does anyone remember how frustrating ronaldo was when he joined our beloved club.it took ronnie 4 yrs to explode, nani needs less time.and yes i like being controversial so i will add this:nani we be a more explosive winger/player in a couple of years provided he is under fergies radar.more explosive than ronaldo will be.Now to ronaldo as that is the natural destination of every man utd thread, i think he will stay. i hope he stays. madrid are just disgusting really.he will realise pretty soon that madrid are just hasbeens and UNITED is the future.why fade in historical oblivion at some club just because it happens to be in spain when you are on the way to cult status at the most popular football club in the solar system?. i hope he stays cos i really adore him. we supported him when the world ignored him.we deserve a lot from him. let me end this by recommending my summer signings. huntelaar, dani alves, joao moutinho…if mikel arteta comes cheap then why not.we still need a center midfielder.
Like?
0 
0
RedDevil: Noone else can afford Ronnie! If hes leaving, then im darn sure we wont let him go for anything less than 75 mill
Like?
0 
0
Utsav, Real Madrid have boasted that they can buy Ronaldo, and recoup the funds in a few months in commercial deals. So why can’t Barca do the same?. If Madrid can do this, and Barca have recourse to the same commercial world of funding, then Barca can I believe do the same.
I have said I am not going to discuss Ronaldo personally anymore, everyone knows my opinions on him!. Yet with Real Madrid I will hazard a guess into what has soured for many years maybe, their relationship in all further dealings with Utd. I feel something like this probably happened.
1. Real contact Man Utd management, any chance of you being interested in selling us Ronaldo for big bucks?.
2. United response – no chance whatsoever, regardless of the greatness of any monetary offer.
3. We really want Ronaldo, please name your price. We will meet it no matter how great!.
4. You have had our response – let us re-enforce our position. Ronaldo is not for sale at any price.
5. Further calls some time later – it’s real again, Ronaldo wants to play for us. Name your price.
6. United response – no reply, just put the phone down. All Real hear is the buzzing of the dead line.
7. Real, speaking to their officials – okay start the war!. Get our mighty weapon the Media to begin the war games. Make United punch drunk, beat them up until they concede defeat.
8. United come back with a media pummeling on Real, heavy hitting with all guns blazing.
9. Real – Feckin hell, we didn’t expect this response, steady the ship, pull out, pull out, recoup the troops, recoup the troops. We need to find a way to defeat United and not damage our relationship. I know, lets make this look in the end like we are the good guys in the eyes of the football world, but get stuck in behind the scenes to Ronaldo, His agent, AND EVERY ONE OF HIS RELATIVES. Everyone knows he’s a mummy’s boy, so work on her, and his other closest relatives.
10. United have now been forced to take the strongest possible stance, Ronaldo is under contract, if he doesn’t want to honour it, that still won’t wash with us. Let him sit in the stands, and consider who he is messing with, and that we have his registration, and will not sell it.
11. To be continued lol!.
Now to one or two sceptics, who don’t believe United have the balls to go through with sitting Ronaldo in the stands. Have you ever know Fergie to back down once he has the bit between his teeth. Did he back down to L’Pool over Heinze, and his evil agents and army of lawyers – did he Feck. Well though some say, this will hurt United, because we will not get the same high price as if we sell him now. Ask yourselves this though?. If Ronaldo has to see out his contract, that’s at least 4 years, he cannot by out his contract until he has given at least another 2 years or more, then can we not in those two years recoup any money’s we may lose thru not conceding to Real Madrid and their bullying. In view of what we paid for him, I think we can. But there is a more important reward in this. If Real M win this war, then every United star can hold our club to ransom in the way that Ronaldo will have done if he does decide to leave and break his contract. This will ultimately do more harm to the integrity of our club, and future financial loss with other player demands, than if we demand he sees out his contract, and sits in the stands in petulant moodiness. We all know that Ronaldo won’t sit in the stand, he will understand that it is his loss to do so. He cannot become the world’s best player from the stands. Right, I am ready for any discussion and arguements to approve or disprove from you all. VIVA VIVA UNITED, VIVA VIVA FERGIE AND THE GLAZERS IN THIS FIGHT.
Like?
0 
0
Utsav: Probably, but if we’re gonna freeze him on the bench, his value is gonna go down. A bid of 25-30mil is enough to cover him then.. All the top clubs will be vying for him..
I was just wondering though, if he really wants to go to Real, after 3/4 years rotting on the stands, will he be that good anymore?
But hey if he isn’t that good anymore, then we won’t lose anything, I mean even if he go to Real for nothing.
Craig: LOL mate!!!
Like?
0 
0
Agreed with RedDevil and Grognard: It’s the principle that’s matters, not how many big bucks we can get for him or whether we can cope without him when he leaves. Letting him rot in the reserves (or the threat of it anyway) will teach him a lesson and make him realise what’s important and what’s not. But if he has to leave, I agree with RedDevil that any club is good as long as it’s not Real.
Grognard also makes an excellent point of the Ronaldo case setting a precedent for future United stars to hold the Club to ransom, if Real succeed in their destabilisation bid. That simply cannot be allowed to happen. Full stop. Like Grog says, that compromises the integrity of the Club, and the game in general. This is a war of morals, no question, and Fergie is one of the last bastions of righteousness this crass, money-obsessed game has. I just hope he prevails in the end.
Like?
0 
0
Sorry I have to correct myself: I don’t mind Ronaldo going to any club outside the Premier League that is, except Real. Hell, I wouldn’t even mind selling him to Stockport County for peanuts, as long as those filthy motherf*****s from Madrid don’t get their hands on him.
As an aside, isn’t it ironic that the ‘Real’ in Real Madrid apparently means ‘royal’ in Spanish? But there is nothing gracious or regal about the way those cunts are behaving right now is there?
Like?
0 
0
Shit, one more correction! I quoted Grognard by mistake when it was Craig MC who made those points! Sorry mate! ‘Cos your post was so long I automatically thought it was the Grog who wrote it, without looking at who posted it! lol
Like?
0 
0
Nino: Juventus and Barcelona both lost players of comparable status to Madrid yet that hardly turned either of them into feeder clubs to Real, nor did it set a dangerous precedent for either club.
Like?
0 
0
If Ronaldo leaves for another club than Real, then Real might do this “buy-then buy” transfer. They give money to a club so they buy Ronny, then Real buy him from that particular club. There were talks about this happening when Heinze wanted to go to Liverpool, but FIFA stopped it from happening. But Real are real evil and dont stop, but somehow they gat away with things. I just dont like this…
Oh, and: http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/06/01/Prem-Ronaldo-to-decide-future/
Like?
0 
0
I think its great news today that the glazers will stick him in the stand if he says he wants to leave.If he does say he wants to leave theres no denying that it will be a stab in the back for what man utd have done for him.Would madrid of paid over 12million for him when we did? no of course not he was just some step overs and an over hit cross.You guys who go to old trafford every week sing his name nearly right through the match.I think we’re about to find out one way or the other what kind of a person ronaldo is.Is he a decent guy with loyalty who appreciates people who have helped him or a snake in the grass.
Like?
0 
0
JB: OK, fair point. I don’t agree that we are Real’s feeder club, as we sold them RVN, Becks & Heinze because 1) we wanted to or 2) they were past it. More appropriate would be that Real was a retirement home for our has-beens and cast-offs, which gives me great pride! But they have never bought a player off us against our will (so far) or when they were in their prime.
Juve and Barca both have plenty of stalwarts who would die for their club and have Bianconeri and Blaugrana blood respectively coursing through their veins; the likes of Del Piero, Buffon, Nedved, Camoranesi, Trezeguet (none of whom left for Real following the Calciopoli scandal), Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Messi and plenty of youngsters who came though the youth ranks at both clubs. Maybe that is why no precedent was set for them, as you cannot envisage these players leaving their respective clubs can you? But if you look at our club, you could realistically only see (excluding Giggs, Scholes and Gaz Nev) Rio, Rooney and perhaps Carrick staying at United for the rest of their careers, and not being tempted by big offers from abroad.
On the other hand, we have players like Ronaldo, Tevez, Nani, Anderson, van der sar, Evra et al who you can’t really say have United in their blood. All it would take was for one (Ronaldo) to break the ranks and the rest could all also leave at the flick of a switch if they felt conditions were not right for them at Old Trafford. Not necessarily to Real, but like I said earlier, it’s the principle thats being violated.
RedDevil: Is that not illegal? If it isn’t, then that just sums up the sorry state that our game is in, and in particular, how low a historic club such as Real is prepared to stoop to get what they want. It makes me sick.
Like?
0 
0
I think the following names are players that love Manchester United and wont leave unless they get told to. Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Michael Carrick, Anderson Abreu, Nemanja Vidic(who rejected Liverpool to join us!), Owen Hargreaves, Darren Fletcher, John Oshea. All of these players have expressed their love for United on and off the pitch.
Like?
0 
0
i think you can add tevez to that list to.
Like?
0 
0
Ronaldo is branded as unloyal because he said his dream club is Real Madrid, after staying with us for 4 great years. Compare that to Tevez, he has been with 4 clubs in the last 5 years and he said he also dreams of going to Spain yet he is apparently loyal.
Like?
0 
0