Oct 28
Ronaldo’s FifPro Award and Thoughts on the Player
In over two decades of his time in charge of United, Ferguson is finally blessed with the honour of having one of his players crowned the FifPro player of the year.
Before we fill this with tributes for Ronaldo, let’s not forget Rio’s inclusion in the XI and his significance in our team last season.
Now onto our man let’s kick it off with the interviews:
Video 1 contains the part where he talks about his form, the importance of Fergie in his development — the usual stuff one gets to hear in interviews. But the second video, while being the same was interesting for a few moments. That was when the inevitable question was put to him on his dream. A few seconds pause gave away a mixture of emotions on his face — a little bit of annoyance (perhaps?) on being asked the question, mixed with a yearning for being at another club, but deciding to curb that thought with a mention of winning more trophies and individual awards.
This was what I could make out from his facial expressions when asked that question. But before talking about my opinion on the player let me not take this moment away from the lad. Credit where credit is due: Ronaldo has been an outstanding player for us, and we are indeed privileged to be witnessing such top talent grow before our own eyes and become the super talent that he is. Clearly, for the past couple of seasons he’s given most of us immense joy as he shut those who doubted his end product.
This summer was really long drawn and exhausting for most of us United fans and Ronaldo has been at the focal point of division of opinion among the United faithful. There were questions asked about how fans would receive him. I had been among those not happy with the way he conducted things during the summer and that unhappiness turned to one of indifference towards the lad because, while I still appreciate what he’s given to us, I couldn’t bear to see the way he conducted himself over the summer. I would have appreciated a bit of honesty either which way instead of putting us through two months of nonsense.
So when he came out, by when my patience had already worn thin, I couldn’t care less. So while he remained a United player, and while I feel it right to cheer him on as a sense of attachment to the club, I just couldn’t get myself to feel happy for him. I did think then that with time, it would heal the wounds. Which is why I thought it right to bring him up today and see where I stand with respect to my feelings for the player.
And I have to be honest here, I am still terribly conflicted. My head tells me to move on. My heart pulls me back. I do have an ability to compartmentalize some of my emotions, which is why I can applaud Ronaldo if he goes on a mazy run — which would bring out the best memories of having watched the lad play all these years. But when I see him roll around on the ground and go for either the theatrical or whine for every foul committed on him — it just floods my mind with disgust. And it pains me to see how I can feel so much conflicted for a player I actually liked a lot. And every game Ronaldo features for United is this topsy-turvy journey of contradictory emotions.
And it’s not as if I don’t get the ‘other’ view to things.
I know, “I need to grow the fuck up.” I know, “life’s got more things to worry about than feel bitter about a player who lives on some other corner of the globe.” I know what he’s given to us all these years. I know he’s made attempts at winning the affections of the fans with his interviews to MUTV.
Yet, I can’t come to terms with what I went through this summer. Indifference still takes a big portion of my mindspace when I see Ronaldo on the pitch. And it surprises me to see that I am not as forgiving as I thought myself out to be.
But for now, let me savour the moments where a United player is crowned the Fifpro player of the year (and most likely, conferred the Ballon D’Or). It’s a pity, the war between my head and heart prevents me from grasping the magnitude of achievement of the boy.
I hope I get around this conflict soon, and will update all when there is an interesting development. Watch this space.
Related items from Red Rants:
- United get Milan, Giggs gets new deal
- Jonny Evans: on Manchester United, Northern Ireland, Ferguson…
- Some More Thoughts Ahead of the Scouse Trip
- Nani dazzles | Kieran in Denial | Manutd.com Wins.
- CHAMPIONEEEESSSSSS! YESSSSS!
Tags: Opinions/Columns
October 28th, 2008 at 10:19
Always interesting to hear your views on the boy – I know you have a totally different take on it to me.
I am firmly in the “other” camp – I was disappointed with Ronaldo’s actions over the summer, but to me has has tried really hard to mend fences and deserves a second chance from the fans.
This guy is not only one of the best players in the world, but he’s one of the most enjoyable to watch (contrast with, say, Drogba, who may be effective but is pretty hard on the eye even to his own fans). If the fans get behind him, he may stay for quite a while longer, and only go to Madrid after he has peaked and is on the way down (like, for example, Beckham) – and I’d like to see that happen.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:43
You would think by now he would have a stock answer for the “dream” question. I mean every interviewer is going to sneak it in hoping to get an exclusive. Really though what is the guy meant to say. His dream is to play for Real but everyone knows that. We are not going to get a firm commitment from him and the uncertainty pisses me off but I think he will stay for the next two seasons at the very least. He is way too much of a professional to let his yearning for Spain affect his game.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:50
Most of us will recognise this heart/head dilemma. Most of us would hate him if he played for any other team. But he is a United player, he helps us win trophies and he generates that expectant excitement when he has the ball at his feet.
The more the TV commentators speak against him, the more the press haunt him, and the more the refs fail to defend him on the pitch; the easier it will be for you to resolve your conflict. There’s nothing like outsiders attaching one of our players to unite us.
He and Rooney will be at the core of United for the next five years, so drive out those ghosts and start singing.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:59
@Penguin: @colver: I agree with both posts boys on the whole, but Penguin “If fans get behind him, he may stay for quite a while longer,”
No disrespect mate, but if we cheer his name it won’t make him stay any longer than HE wants to, he is only at the club because Fergie told him to.
Ronaldo is his own man and will do what suits him, some of the fans are still upset with him and he still has more fences to build.
Colver I agree I think he is professional and will try his best, but his body language isn’t great, and still feel he certainly wants to leave.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:08
@Stephen: I don’t know about the body language bit, it’s certainly no worse than last year. The amount of times he’s tracked back at full pace just to stick a tackle in showed a renewed sense of motivation and dedication to the cause at hand for me.
On a side not, a great interview by SAF.
He talks about how he thinks Madrid bought Heinze just because he was his best friend, how Peter Kenyon’s really a bit of a twat, the type of people Cantona and Ronaldo are and a bit about his successor.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:26
@colver: im not sure if anyonebody else saw it, but when feltch scred his goal against everton, ronaldo had a fucking big smile on his face and was the first to greet him
maybe we shuldnt doubt him. after all, he did say he is thinking again about real madrid and may stay here for the long-term.
u neva kno
October 28th, 2008 at 11:29
Congrats to Ronaldo for the award. He fully deserves it for his performances last year, and before.
Perhaps some might appreciate this “Ronaldo” video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7d4I-HR6iw
October 28th, 2008 at 11:36
Fifa09: Anybody perhaps know what ‘player improvements’ to improve on a CAM that directly affects his ‘overall’ rating?
Don’t you guys think it will be cool to have a Fifa09 10 vs 10 online game sometime? Have not tried it yet, but sure would love to (as soon as I get internet sorted out on the ps3 at home).
October 28th, 2008 at 11:36
I was as disappointed by his summer antics as anyone else but I know that if you take away Madrid’s misbehaving, the past summer would not seem like such a bad period. I feel that Madrid’s hand in the Ronaldo saga was far more annoying than Ronaldo’s lack of a solid answer. He want’s to play for his boyhood team so I’m not going to hold it against him but Madrid behaved like that annoying villain you can’t stand but who seems to be in every frame of the film.
We have to try to forget the summer and welcome him back into the fold because whether we like to admit it or not, he IS one of our star players and at the moment, without him, we don’t look the same side. However beyond that, this opinion of supporting him just because he plays for United is getting on my nerves. I support Ronaldo fully but not just because he plays for United. I couldn’t stand Djemba Djemba or Barthez and the fact that they played for United didn’t make me support them any more!
October 28th, 2008 at 11:57
@Karl: Short passing, finishing, ball control, positioning, tactical awareness.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:10
Thanks Conor. I neglected positioning and tactical awareness.
Do you perhaps have a list (or know where I can get such a list) for all the positions?
October 28th, 2008 at 12:12
@DarkDevil: People always say his boyhood team he is from Portugal and Real are Spanish!
October 28th, 2008 at 12:18
Stephen – Portugal is Spains neighbour if my Geography is correct and hence Manchester United are not exactly as well renowned as Barca or Real!
October 28th, 2008 at 12:23
@DarkDevil: We are not as renowned as Barca or Real? Thats up to mate.
I was joking about boyhood team comment hence the smileys.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:33
I’m starting to feel like those people whose comments are always taken out of context. When I said United were not as renowned as Barca or Real, I meant, in countries like Portugal. I’m from South Africa and I’m studying in Australia and I know first hand how big United is. The facts however are that when Ronaldo was a boy, United werent really as much of a household name in Portugal, Spain and Italy as they are now. Today United are as well known as Real or Barca in those countries.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:38
@DarkDevil: here in asia, fuck with the la liga, premier league dominates.
based on popularity here in the philippines:
1. manchester united 2. shitpool 3. arse 4. chelski
October 28th, 2008 at 12:39
@DarkDevil: Iam not being awkward mate please don’t get me wrong, but saying.
“The facts however are that when Ronaldo was a boy, United werent really as much of a household name in Portugal, Spain and Italy as they are now”
When he was 14 we won the treble, in the Nou Camp, beating Juve en route.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:43
Stephen – That is true…I stand corrected. But you get what I mean. United TODAY are a much bigger ‘brand’ than they were say 20 – 25 years ago. When I said Ronaldo as a boy I meant at the age of 8 or 9.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:53
John ‘freakin’ O’Shea – Yeah, I know how big United are in Asia. One of my friends here is from India and he supports United. I have a friend from Hong Kong and he told me that most of his friends from there support United not to mention the fact that everyday here in Australia, I see some person from Asia wearing either a United jacket or shirt.
I’m from South Africa and back there United are huge. Why do you think they keep going to South Africa. My immediate family (including myself of course) are United fans. I wear a United Jacket on almost a daily basis and I use a United wallet. My bedcover is a picture of Old Trafford and my pillow is the United badge. I’m not joking. Have you seen that movie with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore where Fallon is a huge Red Sox fan and he has all this Red Sox memorabilia and shit? I’m Fallon!
October 28th, 2008 at 12:55
I totally share the sentiments of RR. That’s why I always think that Sir Alex was part to blame. If he had gone to Portugal earlier to see Ronaldo before the slave comments and before the fans had started to think Ronaldo was engineering his move and thus showing his disloyalty, I think it would be much easier for the fans to forgive and forget.
October 28th, 2008 at 13:22
i do believe that when fergie retires, ronaldo will move on.
October 28th, 2008 at 13:39
I fed up now of talking about him, he is here until the end of the season at least, the club is bigger than any player and when Ronaldo plays there are 10 other players representing the shirt as well.
He is a superb player no doubt, but so is pretty much the whole squad and the squad win trophies not just one individual.
October 28th, 2008 at 14:00
You know I want to be done with this as much as the next guy, but I can’t forget a point last season, in the Pompey match, when he was just playing out of his skin. He was pulling balls out of the air, dancing around defenders outpacing everyone – just amazing. And I turned to my mate and said, it isn’t fair how good he is right now. And a minute later he took THAT free kick and it was all summed up for me on Jamie Redknapps face at half time (a clear United hater). He just looked awestruck and could only say that was the best free kick he’s ever seen.
Ronaldo last season was the most dominant footballer (for points in a match) I’ve ever witnessed, and if we can do anything to help him get to back to that, then we should.
October 28th, 2008 at 14:31
To be honest my summer was fucked up from the start! I slept 2/3rds of the summer on the floor, couldnt go outside because it was a fuckin weather and all this Ronaldo bullshit. I hated him so intense!
But I think of the best for me and the club and do it this way: Be happy and enjoy his game and goals. But dont love him as much as I did cause it will only make me sad when he leaves. Easy, schmesy. 
October 28th, 2008 at 14:59
@Stephen: got to agree with those sentiments bro!
United > anyone
October 28th, 2008 at 15:10
We’ve entered a period of change, it will be interesting to see how Ronaldo adapts to not being the point of focus he was last season, more is expected from him as a winger, not necessarily as our main goalscorer.
Fergie knows this, that is why we have a revised goal target for the lad. I hope he starts growing up, and quits behaving like a fuckhead trying to earn an oscar! You dont win any prizes for that behavior, nobody likes a cheat!
October 28th, 2008 at 15:14
@Conor: thanks for that vid bro, an interesting insight into the great man
October 28th, 2008 at 15:28
@Conor: did i say vid? meant interview!
October 28th, 2008 at 15:40
@Karl: Haven’t a clue, that was just off a quick google search in some Fifa 09 forum and off the top of my head really. Can’t find anything directly related to it.
The closest thing I could find is this.
October 28th, 2008 at 16:35
i think he deserved the award, but to be perfectly honest, i couldnt care less. he stayed, that was good, i was ready to start cheering him on, but since his return, its been a string of crappy performances, and nothing really to cheer about. sorry ronnie, you need to start putting on those performances that got you this title.
October 28th, 2008 at 17:31
@dan(u-ol): So if he doesn’t perform as well as he did last season, even if he tries just as hard, you won’t cheer him?
October 28th, 2008 at 18:27
@Conor: Yes, i would cheer him, if he tried just as hard. But right now, he doesnt look motivated/like he cares for united.
October 28th, 2008 at 18:40
@dan(u-ol): He’s tracked back more this season than ever before. He came back around a month ahead of schedule because he knew we needed some help.
He’s always been a moody person and his facial expressions haven’t changed in the 5 years he’s been with us.
October 28th, 2008 at 18:47
Ronaldo actually is a role model, as in he inspires Kids to be exceptional at what they do, to always strive for excellence and that’s more important than his other less admirable traits. His professionalism and desire to be the best is the reason I love this lad. You could see the hunger and confidence oozing out of him last year, he was like a knight walking into battle, ready to slay the enemy. The fact that he still insists on taking the free kicks and playing despite his recent form and fatigue is also testament to this hunger. You have to admire him and the players plus his manager definitely do.
Hopefully this lad would be at United long enough to become a legend, in my mind he already is, but maybe a couple more years of unbridled desire and service for our club and it’s ambitions might solidify his status as one.
October 28th, 2008 at 19:08
What is Ronaldo’s revised goal target? I think he is on 2 in the league so far so Im guessing with 8 games played and 30 to go he’d do very well to hit 20 league goals.
This season the trend seems to be spreading the goals with Fletcher, Ronaldo and Rooney all on three.
My targets would be:
Ronaldo 20 goals
Rooney 15 goals
Tevez + Berbatov 20 goals
Fletcher 10 goals (no really!)
Then another 10-15 spread throughout the other players (Nani, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs) and we will have the same number of goals as last season.
What targets would you other guys put up?
October 28th, 2008 at 19:10
@colver: Fletcher has 10 goals in 114 games for us, think you are being a tad optimistic.
October 28th, 2008 at 19:20
Nice heart felt and honest post there RR. I feel your pain and your feelings of being torn regarding Ronaldo. As you and others already know, I was probably the loudest and most bitter anti Ronaldo voice out there amongst the members of this blog during the Summer. Then Ronny apologized and I had a180 degree change of heart overnight. I know that confused and perplexed you and many others but as you know, I had my reasons and I made those clear back then.
Ronaldo is not the kind of bloke I could ever get to like if he and I ever met in person. Too many things about his personality and his general makeup gets on my nerves. Still, I feel I know the fellow and understand where he is coming from. Portuguese culture is not all that different than Greek culture. The two share many many traits and those traits seem to be similar amongst Spanish and Italian cultures too. Family, home, tribal leanings and cultural dogma has played a big role in his development. Fact is like every Greek I have ever known who comes from Greece and who lives in Canada, Ronaldo will always feel homesick and will always crave that perfect utopia which is to play the game he loves at the highest level, but in an environment that is as close as possible to his heritage and his family leanings. Manchester just doesn’t measure up for him in that way. Yes we know his respect and love for the team and especially Fergie but one must never think that we the fans will ever have any real pull over him. And by acting indifferent or spiteful towards him, is only robbing us of the little time we have left to really admire and appreciate the talent he is displaying on behalf of our club.
One thing I have noticed a lot lately since my friend passed away and since I have had some health issues to concern me is that the old saying “life is short”, is so true. Holding grudges and bitterness over a players greedy antics over the Summer is just not worth it, now that the problem has been solved and Ronaldo is playing for us. If I had a way or I had the energy I would go back 6 years to all the games Ronaldo didn’t celebrate a goal with the fans and all the times he rolled his eyes or looked indifferent and tape those instances and send them to you. It’s frankly much ado over nothing. That’s just Ronaldo’s personality much like it’s Berbartov’s not to be animated at all. We fans should not continually nag each other over this now that his Summer antics have made us a bit more sensitive. Ronaldo hasn’t changed. He’s still Ronaldo but he is struggling to find his form and his frustration is a little more evident on his face. He couldn’t have cared less about the fans last year or even before then. And he cares about the same now. He doesn’t hate us, he just is indifferent to us. You see, players like Ronaldo don’t play the game for us. Yes they appreciate it when we adore them but they don’t play the game for our approval of them. The game is an artistic outlet for them. Did DaVinci like having an audience when he painted? No, Did Mozart like an audience when he composed? No. But they both appreciated it when their work was appreciated either in the art gallery (Da Vinci) or the concert hall (Mozart).
Ronaldo may not care if we are not fond of his decisions or his personality but he does care if we boo or jeer him while he is busting his ass playing for Manchester United. Yes he gets paid millions to do so but that doesn’t mean we should continually act indifferent or bitter towards him. He made a human mistake and yet some of us judge him like he betrayed Christ to the Romans. Like he shot JFK, like he was part of the gang that conspired on 911. Lets all of us collectively get off his back and let the lad play football without questioning his every facial mannerism, move and facial tick. He is what he is but above all he is probably the greatest player to ever play for our team and he has done so for 6 seasons now. That’s longer than the King and Besty and as far as I can remember, how many years did Best really play at his best and not totally inebriated? Him throwing his life and his career down the shitter due to drugs and booze should have infuriated fans more than what Ronaldo has done. We have no bitterness or angst towards George or Eric even though they cut their careers with United shorter than they should have. Hell, Cantona even got himself suspended for an entire season for kicking at rival fans. That hurt the team terribly that season but nobody holds a grudge towards him for that act of sheer stupidity. But Ronaldo asking to leave for his own personal reasons to Madrid was just not acceptable to us. Why? Because we have had too much of a good thing with United and because we are a bunch of spoilt assholes who can’t get enough of the winning ways and the thought of our bandwagon breaking down due to the departure of our best player, well it’s just more than our ego’s can take. And you all know that what I am saying is true. Our spoilt ego’s and blood lust for more success has us literally turn on our own if we perceive them to be disloyal or not United “FOR LIFE”. Look around people, it’s 2008. The days of players playing their entire careers for one team in any pro sport is a thing of the past. So our expectations of these players is incredibly selfish, greedy and unrealistic. Ronaldo has shown nothing but loyalty and given this team nothing but 100% of his effort since he came here. Yet people like myself and others (you all know who you are) have done nothing but slag him and question his integrity, his motivation and his future intentions. Give it a rest. It’s a tired and really hopeless argument and this kind of bitterness just poisons the soul. He’s just a footballer for crying out loud. He didn’t bang your sister and take of with the family’s heirlooms. Grab some perspective and a take a deep breath of reality.
Ronaldo will be with us for as long as Fergie is. The boy has been honest and has admitted his future dreams to all of us. He also has said that he is happy to be with the club and that should be enough for us all to lay off of him. I seriously doubt he will make that same mistake this summer after he was dealt the reality lesson from Fergie. He knows he will have to play out his contract and then he will be free to leave. Who knows, by then, Carlos Queiroz may be the new manager and that may be incentive enough to keep him at United. Better yet, Real Madrid’s fortunes may have taken a dive due to poor play or a scandal and the desire to play for them may have gone by then. We just don’t know. What we do know however, is that right now Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Manchester United and that he is giving his all for us. And all at a time when he is will be at his best form due to his age. Let Real have him when he is 29 or 29. By then we will have garnered the best that he had to offer. Give him a few more weeks and I’m sure the old Ronaldo will surface for us again. I think then that some of us should sink our heads in shame for ever having doubted him. He may not kiss the badge like Rooney but lets not forget what he has done for our team and what he still can do for us. My God, he is World Player of the Year. You don’t get that far on talent alone. You need to have desire to play for your team to get that far in a career. Lets show the lad some love and respect and above all, let bygones be bygones. Life is too damn short for such pettiness.
October 28th, 2008 at 19:24
@Stephen: He has only now really begun to blossom into the player Fergie had envisioned and because of his trust in him and the fact that he has given Flatch ample playing time, the lad has rewarded that faith in him. Fletcher has improved drastically since his return from injury last season. He has more composure over the ball, has become quicker and more inventive and has just upped his class more. I no longer see him as a journeyman like O’Shea. He offers the team much more than that now. I still would not start him over Carrick and Hargreaves but he is my choice right now over Scholes and Anderson. At least he knows what the opponents box looks like and he is capable of scoring goals besides just passing the ball around and defending.
October 28th, 2008 at 19:30
@Grognard: That must be one of your longest posts ever! And that say sumthing!
But I agree. Life is too short and Ronnie should be cheered as long as he plays for us. The United emblem on the kit means more to me than the player in it. When Ronny scores I will be happy, not for him but for the team. If he can do only 70% of whta he did last season I will be incredibly happy. And Rooney will be next years POTY. 
VIVA WAYNE ROONEY!
VIVA RONALDO!
VIVA UNITED!
October 28th, 2008 at 19:41
@Conor: k…
October 28th, 2008 at 19:48
Ronaldo to me and to all of us is no doubt the best player in the world, even our rivals supporters cannot disagree, but as a person he isnt nice simply put he is greedy and selfish and he LOVES himself,but god I still love him.
I will give you guys an example of this kind of love,
Im pretty sure all of us has this cousin or relative who is self-obssesed and a terrible person, but you would still love him and defend him and have his back when he needs you, now United is like a family to me and i will continue to love them all.
October 28th, 2008 at 20:09
@dan(u-ol): Actually, people are reading too much into the facial expressions. I actually saw him celebrate Fletcher’s goal which was a nice touch, tbh.
October 28th, 2008 at 21:44
@Grognard:
Damn Groogy, that was a long post, but well written. Summed up the issue mainly, most United fans just can’t deal with the fact that our best player wanted to, justifiably, leave us. It’s funny though, because in retrospect, he actually did nothing disrespectful to the club, apart from harbouring a desire to leave, which he regressed on after a word from our manager… if that’s not respect and professionalism, I don’t know what is.
One sentence that got me in stitches tho, was, “He didn’t bang your sister and take of with the family’s heirlooms. Grab some perspective and a take a deep breath of reality.”
October 28th, 2008 at 22:29
@Gabriel: Yes it was a long post but when I get something in my head and get on a roll it just flows out. It probably takes everybody more time to read it than it takes me to write it when I get on one of my ranting rolls.
Glad you enjoyed it.
October 28th, 2008 at 23:12
His expression when asked about Madrid says it all, he answered the question like Sarah Palin by not answering the question directly.
During the Madrid chase, he knew he wanted to leave and would have if he’d had the chance, so why did he have to keep on saying “I’d decide in three two, three days” and all that cr@p? Like RR, I’m done with the Ronaldo issue, and right now i couldn’t care less if he and Calderon trip and fall in their own vomit. He could turn up at Carrington in a Madrid jersey for all i care.
October 28th, 2008 at 23:54
@Rd: So what’s wrong with Ronaldo wanting to leave United??? It’s not like he was born in Manchester or supported the team growing up. This unwavering loyalty some fans expect is not possible anymore, and to expect it from a foreign player is even more ludicrous.
He only said that ‘i’ll decide in two days’ crap because he hadn’t even discussed the matter with Fergie. Remember after the CL final when asked, he said ‘I’ll stay’.. it wasn’t until Marca with their outlandish claims and in the Euro’s when Scolari got to his head with that ‘a train comes only once’ bullshit that he began to really consider Real as a viable option. Still and rightfully so, he never publicly stated he wanted to leave United as that will have been detrimental in every way to United. Imagine the upper hand Real would have had with negotiations if Ronnie had handed in a transfer request or publicly stated his intentions, never mind the negative publicity we would receive from the press, indicating that we were in some way inferior to Madrid.
Once Fergie spoke with him, he promptly gave an interview and stated his intentions, then apologised for the whole fiasco (although it was the media who blew it out of proportion). He didn’t put up a fuss like Robinho, nor did he hand in a transfer request, so all these claims that he was forced to stay is bull. If a player of Ronaldo’s stature and arrogance wanted to leave at all costs, we will have been in for a more torrid summer, Berbatov’s situation won’t have even come close to this one.
I’m not telling you how to feel about Ronaldo, that’s your opinion, all i’m saying is the branding him as ‘disloyal’, ‘direspectful’ and ‘greedy’ is just OTT by some fans. The guy has come out and said he will continue to give his 100% like he has done for the past five seasons and this has been evident in is early return from injury. How people can’t admire this guys’ hunger and professionalism yet choose to dwell on his supposed ‘betrayal’ to the club is beyond me…
October 29th, 2008 at 1:06
Let’s keep Ronaldo for 2-3 more years until he gets Zidane status — and he will despite his cocky behavior! Then sell him to Barcelona just to spite Real Madrid…
I will still cheer for a United legend even when he leaves United… I don’t remember too many complaints about Schmeichel or Cole playing for City…
Let Ronaldo show us that he can become a legend. Any player at United deserves a second chance… Fergie thinks so as well.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:58
@ RR good honest post bro! Well done Ronaldo!He talks the talk now …?!
@Grognard: life is too short! indeed bro, know what you mean. Getting things into a proper perspective does help.
Personally, my previous hardline stance on Ronaldo has softened, much more after i saw the MUTV interview last week and the above vids. I felt sorry for him cos i could see how much his current lack of form was upsetting him.And i believe that is his main problem at the moment, i also believe now that he’ll stay beyond this season. Right now we need him to get back on course, i’m sure this will happen soon.
Apparently he watches every game he’s played in afterwards, i wonder what he thinks of himself as he sees himself writhing around on the ground like he’s just been shot! This is one of the worst aspects of his football. I really hope he grows the fuck up and stops poncing on the ground every time a defender comes near him like a spoilt 5 year old whose sweets have just been robbed! This is a mans game!? isn’t it? Its not like he’s a small lad! More fuckin gumption please Christiano! There’s enough other cheats out there that really piss me off re Drogba, Adeybayor, i dont want to be slating one of our own players because of that. I dont like cheats, never have.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:17
@Beachryan: Perfect post. His antics make me mental, and I wish he would get tougher and quit with the protests, the hand waving, & etc. But at the end of the day, his skills, desire, athleticism, and vision are second to none. Well deserved and congratulations to him. Lets see what this season brings.
Equally, I am really anxious to get Hargreaves back. And Carrick. The season is wearing on, and we need to firm up the midfield and go on a serious run of complete domination. An Arsenal away win would go a long way toward striking the fear into L-pool and bringing on their inevitable collapse. Sooner is better.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:21
@keeptheolemould: Nice thought mate, but fanciful one. No way will Ronaldo be at United for the next 5 years – sorry.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:27
@Craig Mc: alright Craig? up to much?
October 29th, 2008 at 3:00
@phoenix red: Yo Phoenix mi man, not much going down mate, but plenty of work keeping me hard at the grindstone
. I agree with you wholeheartedly about Ronnie’s cheating at times, was really bad at Everton on Saturday. Still, Nevilles tackle was bordering on thuggery really, but all that rolling around like his leg was broken – NAH Bro, don’t appreciate stuff like that. Anyway, Ronnie and Nani WILL be off in the summer and from what I hear, it will take Fergie a miracle to persuade otherwise.
October 29th, 2008 at 3:21
@Craig Mc:Completely with ya there Craig. If you’re right bro, lets hope that we get loads of lolly for them and buy world class replacements. It would be a real pity if both of them left, esp Nani. That would piss you off no end too, are you resigned to the fact? Can you tell me where abouts? this rumour comes from?
And how many times you reckon Carlito’s gonna have his thumb in his mouth tomorrow?
October 29th, 2008 at 3:34
@Craig Mc: Yo Bro, gonna spark a fat one and hit the hay
goodnight Bro! Fuck me! this Winter time change thing has me confused 
zzzzzzzzzzzzz……….
October 29th, 2008 at 8:11
Yeey! First snow in Norway since March. woke up to a white sight. Last season when the first snow came we went unbeaten until December. Between Sporting-West Ham. I am looking forward to tonight, just too bad noone is showing it. Sky, Setanta, Canal+ or ITV doesnt show it. So Im stuck here watching it on my computer. Well, I think United will win 4-0. Tevez, Rio, Berbatov and Nani scoring.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:32
ronaldo.5 appearences,2 goals,2assists.underperformer.
rooney.8 appearences,3 goals,3 assists.legend,saviour??
October 29th, 2008 at 8:37
fans make ronaldo villain and ignore the spirit of the boy.whether at united or anywhere,you cant touch his skill.
October 29th, 2008 at 11:17
@donibrasco: You don’t understand the fans want loyalty, that is way the fans love Rooney, it is not always about goals, assiats and appearences.
October 29th, 2008 at 11:27
@phoenix red: A mate of ours knows one of the United players, who mentioned that Nani was talking about moving with Ronnie to Spain in the summer. Sooooooooooooooooooooooo. This mate has been right about other things he heard from this player, but if Ronnie says he is now THINKING of staying, maybe he could be persuaded. But notice he is only THINKING about it. Hey don’t do us any favours Ronnie
. As for Little man Nani, I think it would be better for his progress if he moved, although I would hate to see him go. Some people say that he is like Ronnie when he first came to us, raw and unpolished. Difference is though, Ronnie got a good few more starts than Nani seems to be getting. So like Tev, if they don’t get onto the field, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they RAN off for 1st team football. Gosh, even our reserve team players do that 
. Still I will wait and SEE 
.
October 29th, 2008 at 11:33
@Craig Mc: The thing with Nani he is 22 in November and will want to play, and football is a young mans game now, shame because he has soooo much talent but needs game to develop that talent.