Jun 17
Someone is going to die
It’s getting ridiculous by the day. Times Online, for whom I have lost respect this summer, have published another report without any quotes whatsoever claiming Cristiano Ronaldo will hand in a transfer request.
It’s one thing when the likes of The Sun indulge in such crap, but when the likes of the Guardian and the Times join in then they get a little worrying. Of course, it’s not as if I haven’t seen this before, but when one can write a full length report claiming something without quoting a named source, then it’s a little worrying — not the content, but the journalism.
About the report, it’s bollocks really. So who is the real loser then? The gullible fan, of course.
Now we here at Red Rants, aim to filter out the rubbish from the truth — or at least attempt to call out the BS — and we have been successful at times and not so successful on other occasions. But we have seen many seemingly intelligent fans, who seem to be swept by reports that seem to come about these days. This is for them. If you look at reports over even a two day period you will see an equal number of reports contradicting each other. Let’s take the Ronaldo example: over any two day period you will see one daily claiming Ronaldo to hand in a transfer request, and another, on the same day, claiming he will stay at United. So which one to believe. In most cases you will realize that you can’t believe either reports. The reason: no quotes from the parties concerned. In this case, Ronaldo and a member from United — either Gill or Ferguson or the Glazers. The quotes in the article must be attributed to them and in quotes. Nothing else would do. You will have articles where they will say, Ferguson is reported to have told his aide blah blah blah — all that doesn’t work.
Meanwhile fans will continue to fall victim to the spammers on Newsnow looking for hits, clicks and dollars to make full use of the silly season. Fans will continue to furiously refresh Newsnow in the hope that there will be some exciting, breaking news and if they don’t see that it’s the end of the world and apocalypse is round the corner. I’m sure the day will not be far off when someone falls victim to OCNRD (Obsessive Compulsive News Refreshing Disorder) where a fan will suffer from the effects of refreshing websites looking for the latest breaking news. Symptoms include frantic clicking on an imaginary mouse, followed by pulling a strand of hair for every passing day without any transfer news.
Seriously though, any of these reports may turn out to be true, but we cannot be sure until we hear from the horse’s mouth. So while we read through news websites, let’s do so for the sake of entertainment while occasionally coming across a stray quote from SAF — in which case we can jump with excitement. So keep your packet of salt with you, you’ll need more than a few pinches of them, and they’ll sure taste better when taken in with said pinch.
I realise that I haven’t brought up any news items so far, which probably is why I devoted so much space to general sports reporting but here is something which actually has quotes. I quoted this yesterday from MEN, but I didn’t spot the quote yesterday where Ole says he’d like to get into management one day and stay at the club.
And the Guardian reckons the fixture list will stir up Fergie’s rage — which wouldn’t surprise me. We do have a tough first half of the season, considering we have to travel half way around the world for the World Club Championships.
On the Euros, I feel happy for Croatia going through. Slaven Bilic has seen his stock rise during the last six months, and I like his outspokenness. And is it only me, or do the others also want to see Portugal get raped by Germany so that Ronaldo can get his pretty ass back and decide on his God-damned future. For once, I really want to see him cry — not that he’ll disappoint, because he seems to cry at everything, anyway. [And before the Ronaldo backers start throwing stones at me, sorry, that's the way I feel about him and let me say it right now that we shall agree to disagree.]
Related items from Red Rants:- Veloso Rumours Won’t Go | Nani, Ronaldo Shine| Gerrard Continues To Be Media Darling
- 18 Titles, Champions of England — and those are actually facts
- Questions Continue to be Asked of United After Another Draw
- Ferguson joins fight against cancer
- How good can Tevez be for Manchester United?
Tags: Daily Roundup
June 17th, 2008 at 10:30
Good article RR, must say though CR silence is deafening!
June 17th, 2008 at 10:34
man all i wanna say is that i totaly agree with every single word u
said
June 17th, 2008 at 10:55
RR – First of all let me say that I appreciate this effort, because it is basically what I’ve been trying to make people see in here for the last month: Don’t believe these stories. Having said that, I find your effort shallow as the water level on the driest part of a beach. You write an article about how we shouldn’t be seduced by articles floating around, because they rarely have quotes, or at least not quotes from the parties involved, and then you write the last comment, which is basically based on such anonymous quotes and phantom stories.
This is to you RR and all that share your opinion on Ronaldo.
Let me explain, and I know, you’ll disagree and refer to the long article you wrote on why Ronaldo has disappointed you (and many others).
There has been no reports since the end of the summer, where Ronaldo has been quoted saying anything about his future other than something like “I’ll talk future after the Euros”. Yes, alledgedly there was a report from a brazilian website, but noone knows, how valid it was, and there were reports saying that he’d never given an interview to that site. My take is that it’s bollocks. There was a madeup story going about that Kaka would love to join us, and people in here jumped at that, until it was revealed that it was a hoax. Could be a similar event, only involving Ronaldo which automatically makes it a lot bigger.
Your (and so many others’) feelings about Ronaldo are based on this very same type of journalism that you have just thrashed in your own piece today. What gets me is that so many in here are very analytic and critical of stories involving other players, but as soon as Ronaldo is the target, you (and so many others) loose all sense of critical angle and bite into the stories.
And then you may say that your piece today has said that you don’t fall for these tricks, but your last comment completely erases that.
Before the Euros, Ronaldo said he’d like to be talked about with the same respect that we talk about Becks and Best – as legends. He’d like that and couldn’t see why it shouldn’t happen, if he continues to play the way he has done. Yes, he remained vague about his future, and that was probably not too wise, but that’s his nature. It is also his desire to join Real at some point, which he’s always stated.
He said in an interview that he couldn’t promise his mother anything. His mother has always dreamed of him playing in Real, so by saying he can’t promise her anything is actually saying that he might stay in United for a long time. He also said that he couldn’t promise his future to the fans of United, but he’s never said anything different. Still he’s been here 5 years.
At the Euros, he’s not allowed to speak of his future – only about his national side. This is why we don’t hear anything from him.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that he should be given the benefit of the doubt, cause there are no certainties… only doubts and speculation.
My greatest fear is that you and fans of your opinion (not fans like me who stay positive about the matter) will drive him out of the club, because you think he’s beyond redemption for something he may not even have caused.
This is a stone thrown, I know that, but I think I’ve argued fairly.
Let’s see what happens after the Euros. I cincerely hope, I’m right, but if I’m not, then I’m just a little too naive, I guess.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:00
Tomas I agree in a lot of your but he has not said he wants to stay, and also he is not allowed to discuss his future but only his national side, well it is Ok for his manager to talk about his future and not his national side?
June 17th, 2008 at 11:03
You are not alone in that wish RedRanter. I believe every United fan wants that at the moment. And Groggy must wish it more than anyone! He has more reasons than any of us. I only wish Nani score, so Germany win 2-1 or 3-1 or somethinglike that. I have grown new respect for Nani this summer, since it looks like he will be a starter next season. May he show us that not all portugese lads are selfish and stupid.
I loove talking about United rumours. I hate it when it is about a United sale-rumour, but a United-wil-buy-this-player rumour. It makes me watch other games in the summer, so I can see if I think the player is good enough or not. Just for my own pleasure. I want to talk about possible United targets, like Podolski or Huntelaar. I want Benzema, but he doesnt want to join us so: GO TO HELL!
Great article by the way!
June 17th, 2008 at 11:07
Tomas – with all due respect nothing you’re saying is incorrect but it also misses the whole point. The only reason there is speculation is because of his silence. Put another way, imagine your girlfriend asks if you’re cheating. Not answering that question is not a good response. If you continue to refuse to answer, I can assure you things won’t go well in the relationship. That’s what this is.
Compare it to Fabregas. If anything he was linked MORE to Real than Ronnie in the past. But he comes out and says he’s happy at Arsenal, and look at that, no more rumours, lies and deceipt.
And anyone that thinks Ronaldo is just thinking long term, please. He could come out tomorrow and say, I will stay at United for the rest of my life, it’s my dream to become the best player in red ever – and if he turns around in two years and whispers he thought Real were okay they’d froth at the mouth to sign him again.
For me it’s clear that he (and likely his agent/girlfriend) believes he is bigger than either team, and that it’s all about him. It’s perfectly clear he’s playing both sides, and loving every second of the attention it is bringing him. All smiles, all jokes, all flippant like he has not a care in the world. No regard to either club, and their history, which he should respect and be reverant to. But he’s not that kind of person. He’s too young, the stars in his eyes are too big. His immaturity might prove to be his downfall.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:16
I also can’t agree that we are driving him out of the club, that is unfair to us the supporters.
He has a thicker skin than a rhino, but I think all we want is some clarity.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:22
We have to be supportive. If we aint that there is no question we will lose him and his respect. Love him, and get loved by him!
June 17th, 2008 at 11:32
Supportive?, well we are supporters, sometimes players have to respect and suppport the fans.
Little jibes like ” I like wearing white” are not supportive to us.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:33
good article RR..even if portugal aren´t raped by germany,they sure do when they meet croatia at semi..hoho..
June 17th, 2008 at 11:46
First of all Hi! I’ve been an avid reader but never commented!
This is my first posting!
Well, all I can say is I will still give Ronnie the benefit of the doubt. & I think he is a big attention whore (& like others, they like to be the focal point of all topics) that said….
I applaud Madrid. I applaud their despicable means and ways in getting and pushing for their players. It happened to Diarra (Adou), it happened for Figo.. Somehow, they have mastered the art of psychologically ‘making the player, fans, club think their target is already part of their team’. No other team have ever stooped so low. Not even during our pursuit of Hargo have we stooped so low. This debacle just shows how much influence Madrid have on the press, and on FIFA.
I hope Ronnie rise above this, and so does Man Utd. Personally, I am very sick of Madrid. I used to respect them, but now, I wish we meet them in Champs league, and give them the thumping they deserve. No respect, or tactical play of sorts like the Barcelona game (we gave them too much respect) – just pure thumping.
If Ronnie does leave us, I wish for him to fail at Madrid. Ronnie is good, but he is no Zidane. He falls and cries too much, so failing is a possibility. I bear no ill intent for Ronnie but with his failure, so will Madrid. After this summer, I dream of the day Madrid falls.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:50
Beachryan – I haven’t missed the point, since I refer to RR’s article in which he describes what you say. It’s not about missing points, it’s about disagreeing. I take Ronaldo’s silence differently than a lot of people in here. All though I’d prefer it if he said something, I respect him for not doing so and refuse to get riled up about it. About your girlfriend analogy, I think, you’re missing an important part. In your story, the girlfriend has told all along that she eventually at some point would want to find another guy. She loves you, but she loves someone else even more, and if he becomes available, she might like to try him out. According to the rumours, this other guy is now not only more attractive – he also has a bigger… paycheck (gotta stop the analogy short of porn).
Stephen – I haven’t said, the supporters are driving him out of the club, only that I fear it happening, because some people (and more and more, I think) are now of the opinion that Ronaldo is unable to redeem himself. What that means is that they’ll never forgive him for what he has “done”. Only problem is that all he’s done is stay silent on his future as he’s said he’d do.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:01
Tomas, I believe the supporters would forgive and forget if he came out and said he wanted to stay, plus if he scores against the barcodes on the first game of the season!!
I think by now he knows what he wants to do, stay or go. He is very single minded, and I think the fans would respect the fact that. If he stated that he has been with us for five years and has won everything, and now wants to move on then fair enough.
He is a player for hire I suppose, and has no local links to the club, which again is how football has changed.
What the fans do not like is being treated as idiots and the jibe about wearing white I think was a slap around the face. We all know deep down he has made his mind up that he wants to leave so he should say so.
The thing that all fans want to know is
June 17th, 2008 at 12:26
Stephen – It’s just that people in here are very firm on their rethorics on the boy. Some say “he’s dead to me”, “I’ve lost all respect for him”, “he can’t redeem himself” aso, so I’m not sure all fans share your view on that. I hope, they change their minds, because they’ll certainly have to endure at least one more season with him. There’s no way we’re selling.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:47
About 20legend in management – has anyone considered he might replace Carlos Quieroz if he goes to Portugal?
Unless he replaces Choccy who gets promoted to first team coach of course.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:53
Tomas, I agree with you I believe Fergie won’t sell, especially after he bet that journo that he would be at OT next season, he never looses a bet!!!
June 17th, 2008 at 13:02
Stephen – you’re certainly right about that.
Another thing I have noticed about the articles on this matter is that a lot of them tend to portray the idea that Ronaldo decides where Ronaldo plays. Lines like “Ronaldo is going to say that he plays in Real Madrid next season” or “Ronaldo has negotiated the contract and is going to Real Madrid” are not uncommon. Fact is that if the club won’t sell, he won’t be going anywhere – just ask Alves on his experience from last summer. We own Ronaldo, and there’s no way, he’s going.
June 17th, 2008 at 13:02
Didn’t Keano do this to us a few years back? He then signed a contract that shattered the Man Utd wage structure and responded with two (!) goals against Arsenal
June 17th, 2008 at 13:14
Another good point, very similar to Beckham when we sold him to the Hun, it was anounced we had agreed a fee, then he was gone. You can’t tell me Becks’ contract was that easy to negotiate!
June 17th, 2008 at 13:38
Tomas: Don’t be naive. If Ronaldo kicks up sufficient stink the club will have to sell him, despite all of SAF’s posturing in a couple of interviews. A £50m asset will NOT be parked in the stands. As for the reference to Alves, it wasn’t Seville that finally stopped the transfer, it was the death of Antonio Puerta that convinced Alves to stop agitating for a move for a year.
I agree that he should be provided the benefit of the doubt until we have something concrete to judge him on. What I don’t agree with is the rather dismissive attitude some seem to be taking to the media regarding this story. When one paper runs a transfer story it may have been some bullshit they have been fed. When the entire press corps runs the story, then it has some grounding. This Times article may be crap but given everything that has happened lately is it outside the realms of possibility? No, far from it. The new bit of information in that article is that a source close to the player said that he had made clear he would do everything in his power to persuade United to sell. Everything else is a rehash of previous news. Idle dismissal of the article is as gullible an option as just lapping the story up is.
June 17th, 2008 at 13:51
JB call me an old cynic, but I believe the £25m price tag put Chelsea off buying Alves, so the bought Belletti on the 23rd of August and Pureto died on the 28th.
But do agree the press have lapped up the Ronaldo story which can’t help to A, unsettle the player to some degree but B and more importantly the fans.
June 17th, 2008 at 13:57
This quote from Torres on his liverpool future puts everything into context.
‘It is an honour to be linked to clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, or Arsenal – but I am not thinking about a change and I want to continue playing for Liverpool for many years to come.’
The 24-year-old added: ‘It’s been quite easy for me. I have been able to enjoy every minute at a club where things have gone well.
‘I have been part of a team where every player shares the same goals and where a player can rely on the support of his team-mates.
‘I have also worked with a manager who believed in me. It was the combination of all these factors.’
This is the kinda of respect, desire and loyalty I expect from every player who wears the jersey of our great club.
Ronaldo has shown none of this.
As RR put it brilliantly in another posting
‘Goodbye Ronaldo and thanks for the memories’
June 17th, 2008 at 14:05
Just read that the new Barcelona manager wants to get rid of Deco, Ronaldinho and Etoo. I would like Etoo. He is an experienced striker and a good one. Good heading, good shot, good movement and a proven goalscorer. He can promise 25 goals a season if he stays fit. Would you like to have him as Uniteds nr.9?
June 17th, 2008 at 14:12
Red Ranter- Isnt the headline a little dramatic?
“Someone is going to die”
June 17th, 2008 at 14:25
Guys I have a feeling Ronaldo’s game is based on speed so he must be thinking that he would fade away
in 3 or 4 years so why not Make full use of of the oppurtunity..IMO i think we should sell him for
no less than 80 mil ,and Real scum have planned to give us 50 mil which is bullshit….
June 17th, 2008 at 14:48
Stephen- Didn’t Fergie lose a bet to Ronaldo over goals scored? I thought he was supposed to shave bald or something?
Maybe, SAF didn’t want to shave bald so Ronaldo got pissed and is causing all this unclarity!
June 17th, 2008 at 14:49
Stephen: Sorry what I meant was that Alves had been kicking up a fuss, threatening to go on strike/not play for the club again etc. That notion went off after what happened to Puerta. Chelsea may have looked elsewhere because of the price tag but I’m pretty sure Sevilla would have buckled if Alves had carried through with his threat and Chelsea had kept pushing.
June 17th, 2008 at 14:53
JB – I doubt, the death of Puerta had anything to do with Alves not being sold, but obviously I can’t proove that.
If United don’t want to sell, there’s nothing Ronaldo can do about it – that’s the rules everyone play by. Of course he can try to force the club, but I doubt he will, and I doubt, SAF would sell him anyway. It’s become a matter of principle now, and you don’t want to fight a principle war against SAF.
The thing about Ronaldo wanting to do anything in his power to make United sell isn’t the least bit new. In fact it started last summer and has only continued this time.
Stories about a person as famous and desired as Ronaldo don’t have to have any reality to them – he’s that interesting. Papers make up stories and new angles merely to sell more issues. I’ve worked in the business and know how it works. Even The Times bring stories with no foundation what so ever. Some unnamed friend – please. Do you really think his close friends would betray him like that. I could be his friend and say something about how he feels and make it believeable – it’s all a matter of how you write it.
This is a typical media made story that everyone is trying to make money on, and that’s why you see these little twists all the time… “now he’s done this, and now he’s done that” aso. A lot of these papers don’t even have a source to show for their “comments”, but because noone cares, and everyone bites into the stories, they get away with it. It’s sickening.
Of course his own vague statements have course the fire to burn higher, but he’s said nothing to justify the level of attention, he’s getting.
Call me naive – maybe, but I know how the business works.
June 17th, 2008 at 14:54
GuineaDevil, Thats so funny!!
JB, You are probably right matey!
June 17th, 2008 at 15:09
Excellent rant RR.
But to be brutally honest, I really really really don’t give a s**t about Ronaldo anymore. Really. I am sick of hearing this BS and am past caring now. If he goes, good luck to him and thanks for everything, as well as the dosh. If he decides to stay, that’s fine by me too. Either way I can’t see the Club losing out. United > Ronaldo ALWAYS!
RR, if you will, no more articles about Ronaldo until the end of the Euros please. The player has even said he won’t say anything until then, so what’s the point in wasting time speculating about this un-concrete BS now?? In case people have forgotten, we won a Double this year!! Why don’t we concentrate on that, as well as ways on how we can improve next season and in the long term? (while completely ignoring the Ronaldo situation of course!)
With regard to next season’s fixtures, while we do indeed have a tough first half of the season, methinks it is a blessing in disguise. We play Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all away in the first half, which means that getting those tricky away games out of the way then opens the path for a title charge in the second half (our traditional stronghold), where we play those three at Old Trafford; Arsenal at OT in the penultimate match of the season should be an especially juicy game!!
June 17th, 2008 at 15:15
i know we would all love ronaldo to stay but he should take a page out of solkjear’s book he’s been on manutd.com saying that he’s gonna use the money raised from his testimonial to build schools in africa!!! I would bet all my money that he’s not made more than £60k a week at the peak of his career, his personal wealth i would guess is less than £10m so an extra £3m wouldn’t have helped him much at all but the gesture is amazing. another player paul scholes doesn’t have an agent and negotiates his own contract with united what a legend! all he wants to do is play football at the club he absolutly adores!
June 17th, 2008 at 15:20
I agree with alot of what u say tomas. I said it in a previous article he wont be going anywhere. He is happy to stay and he is happy to go. He wont cause a fuss, he wont sit in the stands. He is a young boy and wants to play football at the highest level and enjoy it and he is doing that at united and will carry on doing it.
People are going way OTT on here, almost embarrassing to read what some people say about him. You all say dont read tribal football as its all bullshit yet you believe all this crap about Ronaldo which is just blatently untrue!
Stephen you commented on Roanaldo’s comment about wearing the white of Portugal but missed the part where he also said he likes to wear the red of manchester!
June 17th, 2008 at 15:29
It is going to be difficult for Ronaldo to move without probably going on strike or at least threatening it a la Makelele, oddly at unReal Madrid.
He wants to leave obviously, but I am sure he does not want to go to war with us. It won’t look good with regards to his personel marketing dare I say brand!!
Plus it is a battle it would be hard to win, I hope it does not come to that but who knows. We are not a club that hangs it dirty washing in public, like Chelsea or the Mickey’s.
As a club or Fergie prob better, not CQ as not sure of his Portugal ambitions, need to sit down after the Euro’s and thrash out his future, hopefully then the talk or bullshit eill finally stop.
June 17th, 2008 at 15:35
I have given up chasing the Ronaldo story as it is best to wait after the Euros when we will know the outcome of this mess.
I agree that Billic has been good and you can really see the bond he has with the Croatioan players and his ability to motivate as a manager.
Hope Huntelaar has the chance to play today as Van Bastan will most probably rest players ahead of the 1/4 Finals. I feel sorry for Mario Gomez who entered the Euros with a big reputation but has flopped and failed to deliver.
June 17th, 2008 at 15:45
Has anybody heard the story linking us with Schalke’s Jermaine Jones? I have heard good things about this guy (I think he is the Schalke captain) but can any devout Bundesliga followers (i.e. Grognard) shed any further light on this transfer link? Source: Sky Sports Football site
June 17th, 2008 at 15:46
Our website is dead…
http://www.manutd.com
Does anybody knows what’s going on?
June 17th, 2008 at 16:06
What the hell! haha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jermaine_Jones
June 17th, 2008 at 16:19
[Tomas]
And then you may say that your piece today has said that you don’t fall for these tricks, but your last comment completely erases that.
What comment?
There has been no reports since the end of the summer, where Ronaldo has been quoted saying anything about his future other than something like “I’ll talk future after the Eurosâ€.
Exactly my point. Especially after him saying that he’ll decide his future in two to three weeks one day after the final — this quote I am sure of. So there’s enough doubts over what he’s said already. Him not saying anything is what gets me. Had he even decided that he wanted to go to Madrid without putting everyone in such doubts, I wouldn’t have held a single grudge against him.
You wish to give him the benefit of doubt, good for you. I can’t and I’ll stick by that unless I see something that makes me come around on him. I still think he’s going nowhere this season. And I am sure, if he stays, he’ll have another excellent season. I have no doubts about him as a player.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:20
My God RR, you have echoed many of the feelings and thoughts I mentioned yesterday. I totally agree 100%. Nice article. A shattered and very tearful Ronaldo would bring great joy to my heart, even if he doesn’t bolt to Real. He needs a nice heaping spoonful of humility to set his mind straight I think. Also, I need help medical assistance to prevent me from clicking on to NEWSNOW. That site has made my mind go mad with paranoia.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:20
Yeah Holyshit! http://www.manutd.com is down! Everything is “undefined”.
Is that what RR was trying to imply? The website’s going to die!?
Probably just an update or something. Jermaine Jones? I rather get Jermain Jenas haha!
June 17th, 2008 at 16:22
GuineaDevil; Perhaps the Glazer’s cannot afford the cost of operating it anymore.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:29
Maybe the site is getting an update. It usually does.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:31
More likely Ronnie’s wage demands
June 17th, 2008 at 16:34
Nah, don’t worry guys..I’ve seen this happening atleast 5-6 times in the past few months. It’ll be back after a lil time.
But, wait, maybe this is the lull before the storm. The storm news about us doing 3 major signings – Huntelaar, Arshavin and Kaka!
(< end major arbit dreamin />)
June 17th, 2008 at 16:35
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7459340.stm
Surely Villa is going to Barca now!!!
How about a cheeky bid for Eto’o now!!! He can be the best no.9 available out there! I cant believe barca are letting go of the likes of eto’o, dhino and deco (the guys that made barca into the european power it is today after flirting with wilderness for much of early 2000’s)
June 17th, 2008 at 16:37
If Ronaldo DOES leave, I would like Sneijder in return. He is having a great Euro, Real want Ronaldo, he plays for Real. So €75 million plus Sneijder would be fine. He hits Beckham esque free-kicks too.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:44
Tomas; You have totally missed the point about RR’s rage towards Ronaldo and others like myself also. We are not mad by what we are reading about him. We are mad by what we are not reading from him. If all these rumors of his impending nuptials to Real Madrid are false, he should have come out before the EUROs and denied or confirmed his intentions. His silence and his occasional sound bites have only created a cloud of doubt and speculation because he has left things in a vague manner for a reason. It’s either a money grab or he truly wants to go to Real. So forgive us all if we don’t particularly care for his grand strategy of ignorance and mild inferences about wanting to stay but not knowing what the future holds. At least Fernando Torres had the class to come out publicly and say to all the Liverpool fans and to Chelsea that he has no intention of leaving Scouserville as he is happy. So really, their fans know where that player stands now don’t they? Where has Ronaldo’s loyalty been this past month? What kind of appreciation has he shown the club, the fans and especially Fergie in that time? The answer to that is that it HAS BEEN ABSENT. So before you berate us all for buying into the tabloids which is fair to a point, consider the real reason for our disenchantment and rejection of Ronaldo. It’s not what the tabloids are saying, it’s what he has said and what he isn’t saying that has cast a dark cloud over all of us.
You seem to want to look at everything using the glass half full analogy. That’s fine but I have grown up expecting clarity and truthful responses from people, not vague statements designed to cover up one’s truer intentions. The bottom line is that Ronaldo did not want to deal with his leaving until after the EURO’s and so he decided to say little and be vague and confusing when he did say something. If his intentions were to stay how bloody difficult would it be for him to sya to the world press listen, I am a Man Utd player with a 4 year contract and I am happy there. He didn’t say that. In fact the length of his contract has never come up has it? Why? Because he doesn’t respect the paper it’s written on and his intentions are either to get a bigger contract befitting his World Player of the Year status or he wants out of his contract to pursue the Real offer. It’s all about expected human behavior. He has made his bed and to me and others he must now lye in it and take the consequences of both his actions and lack of action during this awful soap opera.
I’d like to say I respect your loyalty and apparent fairness towards Ronaldo but in my opinion and others, I honestly do not think he deserves anything more than a spit in the face. He is a rude, disloyal, arrogant, ungrateful and selfish little punk who has burned his bridges with me and many many others. So what if he comes out tomorrow and says he will stay. Like I’ll believe he will stay to the end of his contract. He’ll just start this whole circus over again next off season. I say be rid of him and his attitude and start buying players that want to be and are honored to be considered Manchester United players.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:49
One of the items they have put on the manutd site is Ronaldo says nothing in todays press conference!
June 17th, 2008 at 16:51
Tomas, get off your feckin high horse mate!. No matter what your argumentative persuasion, Ronnie hasn’t come out like every other player involved in Transfer speculation, and made his position clear. I respect Torres, Fabregas, Robinho, Villa, Huntelaar etc etc etc,
BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALL COME OUT AND COMMENTED.What’s the big secret for Ronnie’s silence?. I’ll tell you mate,HE IS A SELFISH EGOTISTICAL PRICKof the highest order, with no thought for Manchester United management or fans. No matter what you say, all you Ronaldo lovers, he hasn’t done the decent thing in my opinion, and in the opinion of many others on this blog and other Utd fan sites. Believe me I am not a fickle fan, I supported Ronnie and chanted his name along with all the other United faithful, but his silence mate in all this debacle has been feckin deafening. So yes, I don’t apologise for being of disagreeable opposition to your posts –NOTHING PERSONAL TO YOU THOUGH MATE.Grog, this is the only time I have ever wanted Germany to win a match mate, and I want them to beat Portugal with a vengeance. And Ronnie can bet that zillions of United fans will be saying thurday night,
WE LOVE THE TEAM PLAYING IN WHITE STRIP– G E R M A N Y!.iF THEY PLAY IN WHITE THAT IS – HAHA!. my heart will be torn though for ‘Little man Nani’ if he plays for the Portugeezers – he deserves better. The way Germany have been playing though, they will have to hit form or else.RR’s note: Craig I don’t want you to be using caps like this. For one occasional word for emphasis it’s ok. otherwise use bold and italics as mentioned in the comments policy.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:52
RedBloded; You applaud Real Madrid? STAGGERING!
Thomas; The girlfriend analogy you brought up holds no water because even though she warned her boyfriend that she may go to another guy, she didn’t fill him up with hope by signing a 4 year contract to stay with him did she?
June 17th, 2008 at 16:56
Grog, I agree in your sentiments, but if he comes out after the Euro’s and states his love and desire to stay (not that he will) then we will all feel probably different, I think that is Tomas’s point.
I believe that he has always wanted to leave b4 the Euro’s, no doubts in my mind and he just loves the attention.
June 17th, 2008 at 16:57
[Grognard]
He applauded sarcastically.
June 17th, 2008 at 17:09
[Stephen]
but if he comes out after the Euro’s and states his love and desire to stay (not that he will) then we will all feel probably different.
I’m not so sure about that, personally, because eventually he will make a decision. That doesn’t change the fact that he has fooled around till now. For me I need to “see” commitment, and that is not something that can be carved in stone. It should show in his demeanour or something that would make me want to come around. I hope I do, because what’s not there to like about him as a player — the diving apart. But that will take a long time much after our season starts.
June 17th, 2008 at 17:09
Craig; WOW! Well said mate. Although had that been directed at me I would have been naturally pissed off.
June 17th, 2008 at 17:16
RR I agree, as Crog said, and I hate the dippers you got to admire Torres for nipping the whole chelsea sarga in the bud before it turns into Ronaldogate 2.
I said earlier that the like playing in white jibe was low, and actually made me feel a little sick. He seems to be having fun at the clubs expensive, but mainly the fans. I am not going down the old addage of we pay his wages, but we have suppoerted him thru the world cup shit, plus in the early days when even his biggest fan would say he was a little ineffectual.
June 17th, 2008 at 17:19
Ronaldo is a great player and I for one loved him to death, but just like my ex, he has gone and betrayed me and my love for him. Yes he is dead to me but like my ex, I wish him no ill and I hope he continues to do well whether for us or for the enemy. He was a real treat to watch and so his seemingly impending betrayal will hurt even more. Does nobody honor the sanctity of a contract in this business?
RR; I didn’t get the sarcasm in the manner it was presented, sorry.
Stephen; If he wanted to leave before the EUROS, he shouldn’t have signed a four year contract with clear intent to stay a United player. Don’t you think? Even if he stays, it will be unwillingly and he has played with our minds as well as our hearts and his actions have hurt me and others to the core. He could score 50 goals for United this season and he will be dead to me. Although I will gladly accept the goals. The only way I could forgive him is if he signed a new improved long term contract with United and if he stated publicly his love for United and his interest in staying for the duration of that contract. I also want to hear him rebuff Real Madrid once and for all. Will he do that for me or for our fans? I seriously doubt it.
June 17th, 2008 at 17:20
If Ronaldo loves the white strip so much perhaps United should design an away strip that’s all white. Just a thought.
June 17th, 2008 at 17:23
Crog, signing a new contract does not generally mean comitment, just a pay rise!!!
Ps funny hearing RVN comming out saying what a great guy he is, prick, thought he was part of the reason he left.
June 17th, 2008 at 17:28
Good news- I just sold my Ronaldo Jersey!
I’m going to get our ginger-hair living legend’s shirt surely this time.
Although Scholes won’t be playing much longer I really feel obliged to get his shirt. It’s amazing that I have missed out on buying this brilliant, commited Red Devil’s shirt. Loyal, professional, talented and humble. He will be the kind of player that will live on for eons at OT.
I’ll cry on his testimonial no doubt! Come on OT! Chant his name while we can!
June 17th, 2008 at 17:32
We do have an all-white away strip don’t we? I remember us wearing it when we played Barcelona away. So what’s the Portugeezer’s problem?
Though I would have expected Voldy (aka the Dark Lord) to express a preference for the all-black kit!
June 17th, 2008 at 17:37
GuineaDevil: Hear hear! I myself just recently purchased the United home strip (shirt, shorts and socks); I was originally going to get Ronaldo #7 printing on the back of the shirt but I decided against it as I didn’t want to run the risk of my expensive purchase becoming obsolete in a month or two….
….instead, I got one with Scholesy’s name on the back!! I 100% share your sentiments mate: What a legend! Love that guy to bits!
June 17th, 2008 at 17:52
the first team page on manutd.com has gone down too….. signings to be announced??
June 17th, 2008 at 17:52
lol, just like your ex.
June 17th, 2008 at 18:11
traverse
the first link on manutd page says ronaldo drops no hints as to his future in todays press conf. The link does not open however!
June 17th, 2008 at 18:16
ive hacked the united website so, dont be expecting that to be fixed soon. and if you dont believe me, heres what the papers say.
Papers: Ron on his way?17/06/2008 08:20Ronaldo loses patience with United
Cristiano Ronaldo edged closer to the Old Trafford exit last night as he revealed he has lost patience with United. The Reds have taken a bullish stance over Real Madrid’s aggressive pursuit of the Portuguese superstar, briefing over the weekend that Ronaldo was starting to accept he will not be allowed to leave this summer. But a close friend said: “Ronaldo has made his mind up now and feels it is just time to wait before he announces what he will do – which is to go to Madrid.”
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were last night warned to prepare for the Luiz Felipe Scolari whirlwind that will blow them out of the title race. Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho said: “Scolari will be a big success at Chelsea and what is certain is that he will be a massive rival for Ferguson and Wenger and expects to beat them.”
The Premier League have been accused of “not giving a s**t” about United. Old Trafford legend Paddy Crerand attacked League bosses after United were handed tough away games after all six of their Champions League group games.
The Manchester Evening News features a statement from FIFA which insists there is no evidence of foul play from Real Madrid in the saga. “From the documentation received, no breach of contract appears to have occurred yet,” read the statement. “Therefore, in accordance with the applicable practice, no kind of formal procedure has been opened by FIFA regarding this matter.”
0wned
June 17th, 2008 at 18:22
close friend? b*ll*cks. no quotes = nonsense. Until their is a direct quote from either SAF or Ronaldo everything is newspaper selling fluff. And even a direct quote from Ronaldo doesn’t mean too much. Unless SAF says we are selling him, we are not selling him. And we all remember the frost interview…..
…..but Ronaldo is being a d**k for not coming out and saying what he wants, United or Real.
June 17th, 2008 at 18:34
Stephen; So then what exactly is the point of a contract if it cannot be adhered to? I for one have lived up to any contract I ever signed. When I worked for the Government here in Canada, a breach of that contract meant serious repercussions. Why should it be so serious for a person making a basic workers salary but it means less for a bloody millionaire. That’s what’s wrong with society today, the more money you have, the less penalty you pay for your skulduggery. He should be forced to live up to the agreement he signed, end of story. If you let him get away with this breach of contractual obligations then it will send a message to others to follow the same manner and use similar tactics to get out of a contract or to demand a better one. It’s amazing the law doesn’t allow United to breach their agreement when it agrees to a player contract. Shouldn’t it be what’s good for the goose is good for the gander? Employees need to follow the law as much as employers. No excuses allowed, except for personal tragedy and similar extreme situations.
June 17th, 2008 at 18:50
yea, ive let up, i put the united site back up, but i will do it again, soon.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:03
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3702671,00.html
Please watch the video on the right. Journalist got OWNED! Ronny looks satisfied. Hopefully a good sign for us.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:09
Wuaw – at least I’ve stirred up some debate.
Craig – this is not an issue of who’s on what size horse. It’s a matter of interpretation, and I interprete the stories differently from you. I’m not gonna get riled up about your comment to me, because I guess that’s your level. All though I will say that I thought caps weren’t allowed in here RR?
Grognard – about the girlfriend analogy. It wasn’t me who brouht it up, I just tried to keep the analogy going, but I can try to comment on what you wrote anyhow. These contracts are very very rarely honoured, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the girl left even after such a short while. Actually the contracts are usually made too long, so that the boy left behind will get something out of it. Obviously it’s not looked upon with joy, if she leaves only a year in a 5-year deal.
And I will say to you as well, Grognard, that it’s not about me missing the point of RR’s and his pack’s opinion. I know that you’re angry about him not coming clean in the media. I did refer to RR’s article and explained that I had understood the deal.
But you also get frustrated every time a negative story appears, and that’s what RR’s article stated that we shouldn’t. Therefore I believe it to be shallow and self-contradictory.
And one last comment to you Grognard – Ronaldo actually said before the Euros on a few occasions that he is very happy at OT. Obviously those comments were usually followed by “I don’t know about the future”, and that might not be his smartest move.
RR – It’s not so much your last comment as your whole attitude towards Ronaldo. It’s just that your last comment contains every negative feeling you have toward the boy. What I claim is that your negativity is based on a media circus, and therefore you have taken the bad stories in. If you had faith in the boy like I have, you’d wait. In stead you (and so many others) are spun into the negative stories.
Stephen said it quite well what my intentions are. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him time to actually come out and speak for himself, before I pass my judgment. It’s not that I appreciate the way he’s handling himself. I just don’t think he’s done anything to allow these reactions yet.
Some people feel he’s playing them for fools, and that he doesn’t respect them. He won’t have that effect on me.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:18
Wow!
June 17th, 2008 at 19:22
[Tomas]
My opinions are not based on how the media have painted him. I haven’t taken any of the comments of the media to form my opinion. My negativity towards him is based on him not clarifying his stand till date.
I am surprised you have not understood my position on this.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:23
I have a feeling that this whole Ronaldo thing wouldn’t have come up had England qualified for the European Championship…. the media’s attention would’ve been on the England team and not on this saga… Tomas in the sky sports interview the question was what he had to say to the millions of united fans who are confused with all this , he said he did not want to talk about it and had an aide speak to the journalist… this is wat has irritated all of us… if he wants to go to real let him come out and say that aloud.. its his dream and no one would blame him for making his dream move..
June 17th, 2008 at 19:28
Krishnan- I think you are right! But Id rather take this stupid media sircus than Rooney, Hargreaves, Rio or Brown getting injured. It is more important to have them fit than to listen to rumours about Ronaldo leaving. Or do you think Im wrong?
June 17th, 2008 at 19:28
RR – I surely have understood it.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:32
[Tomas]
You were right about the caps… duly noted.
[Craig]
Go have a look at your comment, I left a note there.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:34
Tomas, this is a rants blog, and I am a ranter, so excuse those of us who do not give rounds of applause to those who have emotionless composure!. You can disagree all you like, and not see things the way others see them, but you are still blind to what is motivating some of us to feel the way we do about Ronaldo. Like RR I have said many times, that the problem I have with him, is only one, and it has nothing to do with any reporting by the various media, but with the non reporting or comment from Ronaldo himself. He may as you say have said several times that he thinks he will stay, and then shortly and immediately afterwards say the opposite. I have seen some of the various interviews, but I am more concerned about his non commital stance ever since. So yes, I disagree thoroughly with your posts on Ronaldo, but isn’t that what good debating is all about, differing opinions?.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:35
Tomas; I too react to Ronaldo negatively because of his refusal to clarify his stand. Whether I get mad at some of the media stories or not, I do take them with a large grain of salt. It’s his ignorance and refusal to publicly state his intentions that has many of us mad.
I honestly admire your loyalty towards him and the fact that you want to be fair. I just think that he has done a stand up world class job of burning his bridges already, simply by saying some confusing things and then by not saying anything. Ask yourself this, if he truly wanted to stay with United, why wouldn’t he just come out like Torres and state his loyalty and his intentions instead of stalling? Forget how he’s been playing us. Can you just imagine how Fergie is feeling right now? The man shaped this team for the last 4 years to perfectly fit Ronaldo’s skill set and style. To have to dismantle that style with no proper warning borders on betrayal of the greatest order.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:36
Craig – it sure is, but I’m still able to keep a proper tone. I’m as emotional about is as you, but I’ll always respect you as a person.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:36
[craig]
It’s a rants blog, but you don’t have to tell someone to get off his moral high horse and then tell him nothing personal just to soften the blow. Sorry mate, I am not falling for that. There are better ways of arguing your point than calling him blind. I don’t agree with Tomas at all, but I wouldn’t call him that.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:37
The one thing we dont know about this whole situation is whether Manchester United had potentially promised Ronaldo an improved contract if certain targets were met be it personal or club targets. Maybe they have turned around and said no to him which is why he is being silent, forcing the club to go back to keeping their word. Who knows I may be completly wrong but we dont have a clue what goes on inside the club. Maybe just maybe our club has triggered this and we are not being true with him. Just a thought…..
June 17th, 2008 at 19:40
RR, if there is a block on the use of Capital’s for stressing things, then I apologise I didn’t realise. Yet Tomas seems to deem the use of Capitals as a severe affront, so I will cease to use them henceforth!.
Grog, I agree with you on the matter of the unfaithful woman, and the breaking of contracts on a whim.
Tomas, you must indeed be emotionally composed, because you seem to accept unfaithfulness where contractual obligations are broken, with remarkable ease. An admirable quality, but one which I don’t share. CR7 is with you on that one though!.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:42
[Tomas]
I’m sorry, but you really don’t come across as having understood my stand because you resort to accusing me of contradicting myself. None of the opinions have been based on anything the media is reporting. Even if I considered the Brazilian website quote to be false it doesn’t change anything. The fact is we both agree Ronaldo hasn’t handled things rightly and while you give him the benefit of doubt, I don’t. So the difference is in the way we look at the scenario, not on what we read in the papers.
June 17th, 2008 at 19:46
some good news for the day – http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3703411,00.html
June 17th, 2008 at 19:47
[craig]
Thanks. And for those too lazy to click through to the comments policy here is the section on use of Caps:
June 17th, 2008 at 19:49
Glad to see an author with the same opinions of me!. I expected the BS from the sun, mirror etc, but certainly not the independent, guardian and the times! ffs.
There is 1 way that will slice through these BS articles, and the dumb lazy journalists who get paid to regurgitate already known information.
if one was to compile a list of sports journalists it would significantly help. We could on the basis of their previous articles give them a rating 1-5* of the overall quality of their work. how much BS they talk at times, how often they jump on the bandwagon with lazy journalism, we could even make a list of pro and anti manchester united journalists..
By making this journalist directory i feel we could go some way towards reducing the amount of bullshit that’s about. look at the author of an article, do a database look-up and then decide whether or not he’s worth reading about…
June 17th, 2008 at 19:57
RR, I don’t agree with you – sorry!. I said that he was blind to what I was saying about why I was feeling the way I do about Ronaldo. Why should we have to keep repeating ouselves over and over again, and Tomas keep coming back with the same old accusations, that we are all basing our opinions on the media. I’m sorry but he is blind to how we are seeing this, and I don’t think blindness is offensive. We are all blind and opinionated sometimes, so I won’t apologise over that one RR.
As to the high horse thing, Tomas said his point about that, and I didn’t come back to him with arguement on that one. No need for you to jump in, it was sorted!.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:00
[Craig]
So what if he’s coming back over and over again? He’s got an opinion, fair do. You don’t have to get worked up just because he doesn’t agree with you. He’s been polite, you could extend the same courtesy.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:03
And craig, I reserve my right to jump in at least in this site … in case you didn’t know. In fact, if you again read the comments policy, you are not expected to indulge in mud slinging. I could have banned you but out of respect I kept you here, because of your opinions. So don’t abuse it.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:03
Grognard: Contracts i football have to work differently because players are valuable assets who are traded between clubs. Yes by the letter of the law they can be enforced but practically they aren’t. And that isn’t just on the players side, plenty of clubs turf their players out the door with little regard for their own wishes.
On a slightly more general note, although you didn’t mention it, their is a common saying that contracts in football aren’t worth the paper they are written on. Well I don’t think that is true, the value in the contract is reflected in a players transfer fee.
RR: I have heard that the quote on the Brazilian website was from a reputable source.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:06
I didn’t realise I was in Kindergarten!. I’ll repeat again, I disagree RR, you think I was being impolite, I don’t. My mates tell me to get down off my high horse many times, and I don’t find it offensive. You don’t need to wetnurse Tomas, he’s a big boy!.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:07
Like it or not I have to wet nurse people here. So deal with it.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:09
Grog, haha your post, very diplomatic mate, spoken like a fecking politician, Loved It!.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:11
RR – OK boss, the diapers are on the way LOL!.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:12
Come on guys, stop it. There is no need to fight over a comment. But since it is Red Ranters site, I think you should listen to what he says Craig. Calm down, we all have different thoughts, but there is no need to start arguing about it. I wil saty out of it, but stop it!
June 17th, 2008 at 20:14
RedDevil, you will stay out of it, so why did you comment then?. Yet I hear you RedDevil, and OK.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:17
Because I dont want anyone to get suspended.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:17
RR, if you want to ban me, that is your privilege. But I’ll repeat again, where is the mudslinging?. I don’t see what you seem to believe is offensive.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:19
Anyone else watching Holland vs Romania? Huntelaar is playing. Oooh, he just shot over from 16 yards.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:20
For the record, I don’t want to ban anyone. I don’t take any such pleasures. It will only be a consequence of your actions.
Now back to talking about United
June 17th, 2008 at 20:20
HA-HA, Robben missed a sitter! Hate those Real players! Except for Sneijder that is
June 17th, 2008 at 20:20
It’s OK RedDevil, don’t worry about it. If I get suspended as you put it, that will make Tomas’s day. He will get less flak.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:24
I will post this again:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3702671,00.html
Please watch the video on the right. Journalist got OWNED! Ronny looks satisfied. Hopefully a good sign for us.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:29
Surely everyone here would be calling for our boy Ronaldo to ‘commit’ if all the stories were about how much he wants to stay and how big of bitches RM are? For someone to say the only thing they want from our boy is for him to commit either way is, in fact, succumbing to the stories. I’m not saying I agree with the situation, or I’m handling it any better (I actually find myself refreshing this site seeing if anyone posted any juicy links), but I wont say ‘He’s dead to me’until he holds a smoking gun.
Also, in a lame attempt to maintain the girlfriend analogy, if Adrian Lima (or any girl/guy of your dreams) offered her hand in marriage, you bet your ass I would have to think about it longer then 2 seconds even if I am currently married. Not because I dont love my wife, or because I dont respect my Family, but because the offer may be (potentially) too good to refuse. (Ok, so maybe not such a good analogy, but hopefully the point isnt completely lost.)
June 17th, 2008 at 20:40
Mmmmm Comma, well we do see where you stand on the loyalty issue don’t we lol, especially if you get a better offer. Think Ronaldo is of the same mindset Comma. Can’t think of any other reason for his non commital.
June 17th, 2008 at 20:43
Comma- I see what you are saying, but if you are married to someone like Megan Fox or some girl/guy of your dreams, I would reject Adriana Lima. You see where Im going?
June 17th, 2008 at 20:50
But this is Manchester United, the sexiest there is in the world!
June 17th, 2008 at 20:57
Craig; I guess I picked that up all those years working in Government. Thanks mate.
JB; Fair enough point but remember that if a team decides to cut a player loose, they are still obligated to pay his contract up until he when and if he signs with another team. So whether they wanted the player or not, they are stuck with the contract.
RedDevil; I fail to see how that video is a good sign. Ronaldo’s continual avoidance of the issue even after the reporter pleaded on behalf of millions of United fans was a show of complete disrespect and defiance. Why is it so hard for him to state his preference? This is beyond infuriating. I would want anyone willing to choke him to death to be knighted by the Queen. His attitude is arrogant and incredibly insensitive to the millions who chant his name, wear his jersey and have his poster on the wall. What a total fucking prick the little peasant from Medeira has become. Fuck I would just like to wring his scrawny little neck for that defiance. Sorry but that’s just the way I feel. I cannot turn off my rage towards him. Germany and Michael Ballack must be my champions as I demand satisfaction.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:01
Huntelaar scores with a typical poacher’s goal. LUV IT!
Also, my heart sank when Franck Ribery was stretchered off in the other game. Being a Bayern fan I am very upset. I think it looks like an Achilles injury. Could be very serious.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:04
Groggy- I understand your anger. I wish Ronny could just tell us about his decision and everyone would be happy.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:05
Comma; Sorry but the point is lost on me because if there is one thing I cannot handle its infidelity. I value loyalty and commitment more than anything. I have never been one to pursue lust or material gain over the things that are truly important in life. Sorry but nothing replaces a solid marriage and family. Even if she is built to rock one’s world.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:06
You saw that to Grognard? Sweet striker ehh? Imagine a goal like that from him, in a United jersey, against Chelski, at 0-0 in the 93 miniute. Please buy him Fergie!
June 17th, 2008 at 21:07
RedDevil; The faster Germany disposes of the pricks EURO ambitions, the better. Then maybe we will get some straight answers. And if then he decides he wants to delay some more, I say we all pitch in some money and hire a hit man.
Also, regarding Huntelaar, that is exactly the kind of goals he scores and the kind United rarely score unless it’s Ronaldo in the box to do it. With a little luck he could have had two already and his subtle little flick into the feet of Robben should have been an assist also.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:12
United play the most sexy football in the world. Brasil has lost that title, we own it now. And since he is married to United, he better do what he is supposed to and prove that he respects his family. If he doesnt, he wont get lucky. And he will not want that! (Okey, too much picture like, but you get the point.)
June 17th, 2008 at 21:15
Grognard: And if a player just sits down and refuses to play the club doesn’t have to pay their wages and is within their rights to terminate the contract. However the club will rarely willingly terminate a contract due to the loss in transfer value.
The fact that a player carries a transfer fee warps the contract situation from the norm in society by handing the power to the player. It may not be fair from our perspective but that’s the way it is.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:16
Yup We should hire a hitman;I’ll pitch in Groggy if it comes to that coz im tired of all this shit…
June 17th, 2008 at 21:17
Even though United doesnt score many of those kinds of goals, we create a lot of chances that is like that. Its just that usually Rooney is on the end of those and he doesnt score so many. I remember him getting chances like that against Fulham, Derby and Arsenal…But he didnt score once!
If we do sell Ronaldo, I would love Sneijder in return. If we get Huntelaar too, we will buy two players that know each other from the Holland team and Ajax. Sneijder setting up a goal for Huntelaar would be great. But only if it is in a United kit!
June 17th, 2008 at 21:19
Does anybody really care about Ronaldos decision anymore? Or do you just want to know his decision to get peace?
June 17th, 2008 at 21:21
I knew this analogy was going to bite me in the ass. And Grog, you didnt miss the point, you nailed it head on. I never said I would leave, just that faced with a life decision, especially one as juicy as this is, I would certainly take more than a day to mull it over. Add to the fact that every one asks me every day and I begin to second guess a decision based on what I read other people saying (SAF sitting my in the stands, etc. etc) and I dont think I’d ever want to make it. Surely you wouldnt be so gun-ho in a similiar situation. Remember this is his life, not some hobby or fantasy/video game. If his silence tells me anything, personally, its that he is actually taking time to think about it, which is all I, as a United, fan ask. Call him immature, but had he came out the day after winning the CL and said he wanted to leave, everyone would have been on him for not thinking it through.
Also, what if the situation was reversed? If CR7 was a RM player and was linked with a move to OT in all the papers, dispite having a contract at RM and wouldnt say anything concrete about the move, would you be so mad? Surely there are people with more tact, but I dont expect that from him, and it certainly doesnt show me his disloyalty to a club and fan base that gave him everything he wanted. I actually tend to think he couldnt believe RM wanted him until all this media shit started, and then he started to think ‘hmm, maybe theres some validity to all this shit.’ Not a good excuse, but one none-the-less.
Anyway, I really thought I’d catch more shit for the fact that I pointed out how fickely and one minded some people are by saying that they werent mad at the media, just at CR7 for not squashing it. Just shows the power of the ladies.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:27
United will never behave like Real when it comes to buying players. United go to the club, then the player. Real go to the player, then the owner, then the club. That is a disgrace! Mark my words, they will get punished for this one day. And that day will be oh so sweet.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:30
Looks like Italy will go through…
June 17th, 2008 at 21:32
I cant believe we have written more than 120 comments about Ronaldos future! He is getting his attension alright!
June 17th, 2008 at 21:34
[RedDevil]
120? You are forgetting it’s all we’ve written about since the CL final
June 17th, 2008 at 21:34
On a side note, does anyone think this ‘news’ with Messi and Barca could lead to Messi unrest and eventual transfer from the club? If so, would it be wise for us to start getting in now?
June 17th, 2008 at 21:34
Looks like Italy will go through and if they do go through then my guesss is that they will win
this tournament as well…
June 17th, 2008 at 21:37
Errr Comma, why should we be mad at the media, shit stirring is their job!. The kind of non commital shit Ronaldo is dishing out though, is not part of his job. I think JB said the most important thing on this blog today, when he mentioned that if the media reports were just coming from one or two newspapers, then fair enough we might question. But it is widespread reporting, and as JB wisely said, and does constitute more likelihood of it being realistic. Yet I agree with Grog too, that there is no reason for CR7 not making his position on the issue more clear.
JB, I will probably get my arse kicked for using capitals for your signature name (wink)!.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:38
[comma]
Doubt it. Pep Guardiola is at the helm and he oversaw many of the youth prospects when he was manager of Barca’s B side. He’s said that Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto’o are surplus to requirement yesterday which means he obviously wants to build a sid around Messi.
I doubt Pep would want to sell Messi.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:41
[craig]
No you won’t. Because I know when it’s not right and when it is.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:43
I agree with Craig, I am very wise
RR: I don’t have to change my name to lower case do I
June 17th, 2008 at 21:45
RR- Sorry, I forgot to write today. I mean its amazing that we have written 120 comments about Ronaldos future today.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:46
Ok, go on, tell me when you’re done with your piss fest.
June 17th, 2008 at 21:48
HI-HI!
June 17th, 2008 at 21:48
But certainly Messi can pull a hienze, or Ronaldo if you like, and demand a transfer because they won’t let him participate in the national side if he wants. I realize its more complicated than that, but a boy can dream.
And sorry Craig, I don’t remember ever saying to be mad at the media for doing what they do. I meant be mad at CR7 for not making clear his intentions. No, we would have a field day with the news.
June 17th, 2008 at 22:08
Don’t start on Messi please. It was Kaka at first.
Hey! Did anyone realised we are 2007/2008 Premier League Champions and Champions League Champions? Well it’s true but it’s not getting reported by The Sun, The Times, The Guardian, etc because they like to feast on the best player in the world leaving the country that THEY report in! Hello-o anyone at home?
Pep Guardiola won’t sell Messi. Barca would get to messy after that. (Sorry for the lame pun)
June 17th, 2008 at 22:13
right, we’re gonna be linked with a £20mil swoop of eto’o tomorrow morning(Gmt i believe), if not tomorrow, the day after.
June 17th, 2008 at 22:18
Oh Ok Comma, I got your meaning now!.
JB, haha – you sure your name isn’t Solomon?. Only the Irish will get that one I think lol!.
RR, was that a smiling smilie, in reply to my kick arse comment?. Well I never!.
June 17th, 2008 at 22:21
Well, I agree with some of you that I will be very happy if Germany just absolutely massacres Portugal. It will be a happy day, that’s for sure. Still, I’ll feel sorry for Nani.
Anyway, nice to see Huntelaar get a goal and play about 85 minutes… I really hope we capture him soon. I thought Affelay was good too.
June 17th, 2008 at 22:25
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/article-1027278/Why-Fergie-cope-Ronaldo-takes-flight.html?ITO=1490
nice article…
June 17th, 2008 at 22:25
TurkishRed, yeah come on Germany!!!!!.
June 17th, 2008 at 22:26
Suppose, for example, they bought Dimitar Berbatov or Karim Benzema, plus an A-list winger to provide fresh width: how long would it be before the brilliance of a new United side had eclipsed the bitter memory of Ronaldo’s exit? Was there life after Eric Cantona’s shock retirement? Were there goals after Ruud van Nistelrooy? Did the defence reconstruct itself post-Jaap Stam? Were there no more whipped balls into the box after David Beckham?
liked this bit especially….
June 17th, 2008 at 22:32
Hey,does anyone have any comments regarding the quality (or lack thereof, perhaps) of Eto’o?
I’m asking because of the recent news that RedDevil and jos pointed out, and because I think I remember something about Eto’o saying that he would leave the Catalans if Barcelona didn’t win the UCL.
Some have said that he is past his prime, but I haven’t seen enough of him to draw a conclusion.
June 17th, 2008 at 22:34
You know it would be just like those Italian buggers to barely sneak in to the quarters and then go on to win it all. It never ceases to amaze me how things always seem to fall their way whether they deserve it or not. The French were well……like the French today. They surrendered, folded up their tent and went home. Historically consistent for a country that prefers to live behind the Maginot Line and cower in trenches. What a disgrace for a team with so much talent. To bad they left their hearts back in Paris.
My hat goes off to the Dutch. They easily could have gone through the motions today and lost or settled for a goalless draw but they tried to win the game and and in the end they were full value for the victory. Huntelaar looked great and for me, they really do look like the real deal. I see no problem with them beating Russia or Sweden. Sweden or Italy again maybe another story though.
This tournament has got to be a real disappointment for showcasing some of the big YOUNG names in the European game. Benzema, Gomez, Nasri, Ben Arfa (not even selected), Huntelaar (a sub), Fabregas (a sub), Arshavin (suspended), Pavlechenko and others have all come up short or haven’t appeared much in these championships. Most teams seem to be emphasizing experience over youth and pace and I for one think it’s a mistake and very unfortunate. The big goal for all these teams should be to win the World Cup. The best way to ensure you will do well in the 2010 WC is to bloody your young players at EURO 08 so that they have the experience that is needed two years down the line. The ones that have played like Gomez and Benzema have been awful but I think this experience will make them better two years from now. Yes the Euro’s have prestige but teams should be built with 2010 in mind. The Euro’s should be a grand training exercise. Why waste time and space playing dinosaurs like Makelele, Gattuso, Thuram, Vieira etc. I just mentioned 3 Frenchman. Gee, I wonder why they were eliminated? Today’s game is a young man’s game with pace. I just find the addition of all these war horses for all teams rather surprising.
The good news over all this is that the Benzema’s, Gomnez’ Huntelaar’s, Ben Arfa’s etc should not be overpriced based on their Euro performances. That’s good news for United if they want to sign one of the many young players mentioned. Like that will happen. I have a sneaky suspicion United may not have two shillings to scrape together
June 17th, 2008 at 22:49
Very interesting article perspective there, Krishnan…
I agree with you Grognard about the disappointment of the youngsters during the Euros. Many of the coaches just played it safe with veteran international cap-eaters instead of giving the youth a chance to prove themselves. But, for France at least it did not work. Evra really proved today that he is much better than Abidal, just look at the red card. If Domenech doesn’t use Patrice as the starting leftback in the future, it will just prove how thick a coach he is.
June 17th, 2008 at 22:49
Turkish red from what i’ve seen of him, he is a good finisher and scores some great goals as well… his movement off the ball is brilliant and his understanding with Ronaldinho on the pitch was great as well…. but I don’t think we would be going for him coz he is 30 and I remember SAF saying that he would go for someone young… I doubt whether he would click at united coz Ronaldinho and Messi liked to cut inside which allowed him the freedom to drift in and out.. i can’t see the united wingers doing that and in the PL he wouldn’t be getting the space that he gets in la liga….
June 17th, 2008 at 22:51
Mate I don’t see Domenech staying for too long… read somewhere that Derschamps was going to take over from him…
June 17th, 2008 at 23:04
Is he 30? Really? Oh well, my ignorance of La Liga has shown through, and now that I know that bit of info, it’s enough to say that he won’t be an option for us. Thanks for clearing that up Krishnan.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:12
never thought anyone could top the tevez saga, but yet again the tevez saga topped the ronaldinho saga.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:13
Eto’o is 27 not 30. Still prefere it if we signed Berbatov or Huntelaar instead of him though.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:15
TurkishRED: Eto’o is nowhere near 30, he is only 27! In the year that Barca won the CL and La Liga double I would have regarded him as the leading striker in world football. Effectively he is Saha upgraded in every way, particulary in terms of finishing. He is trong, fast, has excellent movement and scores goals. He is also flexible enough to play in United’s constantly rotating front line.
However since his two major injuries he seems to have lost some of the sharpness and spark he had in his first two years in Barca. That said he is still an excellent player, just not at the extremely high level he was. He scored 18 league goals in 22 appearences last season (20 goals in 28 goals overall). The other concern with him is that he has a tedancy to shoot his mouth off from time to time and is a bit of a moody git.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:20
No one commented earlier but I really am wondering if something has gone on behind the scenes at OT like the club letting Ronaldo down in some way which is why he has taken this stance, a broken promise or something which until its sorted he wont commit his future – like a warning to united to keep their word or he will go.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:29
Ryan, I can’t see that really, because Utd are not the kind of club to back down on their promises to a player, unless someone definately knows different!. I saw the video interview posted a few posts back on here, and the reporter put Ronnie on the spot and had him squirming. CR7 didn’t know what to do with himself, because the Reporter was sort of demanding an answer for Man Utd fans, and Ronnie the forked tongue one couldn’t give one.
JB, Eto’o doesn’t have a good record against PL defences does he?. I would hate to buy someone who cannot play effectively in the prem.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:43
[JB]
But Eto’o is weak in the air which was why Larsson was so important to the all conquering Barca team of three years ago.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:45
sorry turkish red he is 27. The look on Ronaldo’s face made me laugh…. he didn’t know wat to say and he was looking at the Portuguese aide for help who just barged in and kept saying that there should be no questions on his future…
Craig Mc he doesn’t have a good record against PL defences because both Liverpool and Chelsea defend tightly and he didn’t have a lot of space to work in and against us well he was in Rio’s pocket, wasn’t he?
June 17th, 2008 at 23:46
Who knows it could have been a verbal promise which the owners have said no to, we are out of the picture and in the dark as to what hapens inside the club but maybe just maybe we have brought something on ourselves with Ronnie. I reckon Ronaldo is under strict instructions from his agent to stay quiet….. fucking agents…..
June 17th, 2008 at 23:50
Eto’o is a shadow of his former self. Against us he looked disinterested and lacking the sharp edge he had in the past. Too much of a risk for my liking. Also, I’d rather have somebody under 25 to ensure we get 5 good years out of the player. With Eto’o we can hope for only two, maybe three. And he is also a moody S.O.B. who whines when things aren’t falling his way.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:52
Craig: Blood hell those were some hard stats to dig up! By my count Barca have played English teams nine times since Eto’o came to the club (I don’t know if he appeared in all nine games). By my reckoning he has three goals in that space of time (2 against Chelsea and one against Arsenal). Overall those nine games included a final and three knock out stages, with Barca winning one knock out, very unlucky to lose another and they also won the final. It should also be noted that Messi missed alot of those knockout ties. Not an outstanding record (for club or player), but a reasonable one nevertheless.
RR: I wouldn’t call him weak in the air, he is no Duncan Ferguson granted but he is a good step up from Tevez and Rooney. And to be fair even when Larsson came on, Barcelona rarely changed their style of play. I always thought it was the extra bit of guile and experience that made Larsson such a big hit.
June 17th, 2008 at 23:58
[JB]
All my observations about Barca are from a very close mate of mine who makes frequent trips to the Nou Camp during the season. He says that Larsson was important to Barca — apart from his guile — from his ability to head the ball. Ronaldinho came after him. And it is a pretty well known complaint from Barcelona fans that ever since Larsson left, they haven’t got anyone good enough for plan B. It’s a different matter that they tend to play to their strengths pretty well which is playing the ball on the floor. (Although they have been crap over the past season and a half.)
June 17th, 2008 at 23:59
Anyone know more about this Jermaine Jones guy, its really surprising cus the news just came out of the blue
June 18th, 2008 at 0:01
all these articles with “unnamed sources” are just bullshit, it pisses me off that they know they can get away with it because both the club and the player are in no comment mode.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:15
RR: I just had a look at his goals there for Barca. There were a few headers in there but the vast majority of his good work looked to be down to smart movement off the ball and his clinical finishing. When I saw him at Barca his arrival rarely signalled a switch to an aerial bombardment or crosses into the box. IMO his ability as an impact sub is summed up in the CL Final against Arsenal.
On a side note he arrived at Barca at the start of 2004/05, Ronnie came the year before. Or were you talking in terms of importance to the team?
June 18th, 2008 at 0:18
Krishnan, thanks for sharing that. So by the comments from JB also, Eto’o doesn’t have a good record against prem opposition. L’fool and Chelski defences mark tightly???. Not as good a Man Utd I don’t think. Thanks for you informative stats JB, doesn’t seem from them like Eto’o would be effective in the prem does it. Who said we are after him though, is it from a reputable source do you know???.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:27
Craig: He has a ratio of one in three (worst case scenario since I can’t confirm the number of appearences). Given Messi’s frequent absence in the ties prior to us, the highly defensive tactics employed by Chelsea and Liverpool and the tendancy for CL knockouts to be tight, low-scoring affairs, I would say his ratio isn’t that bad.
I don’t think any media outlet have said we are after him yet, I think he is being brought up because he was effectively put on sale today by Barcelona.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:34
[JB]
I was talking of Larsson’s aerial ability. Ronnie was their most important player from an attacking point of view during their heydays. Although in the season they won the league (before they did the double) most fans argued that Xavi kept the team ticking. It was testament to their depth that while Xavi stayed out injured for about 8-9 months Iniesta stepped up to the plate. (Of course there was Deco but then there were too many good players in that team.)
Back to the point, I have seen a fair bit of Barca myself — especially those two glorious seasons of theirs (because my mate would practically shove Barca down my throat those days) and I think Eto’o while being a prolific scorer did fluff a lot of chances. It’s because Barcelona create so many chances that he did so well. I am not taking anything away from the Cameroonian, but I am not sold on his heading ability.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:36
O thanks for that info JB, doesn’t sound too bad then. He looked very ordinary in the matches against us though in CL , but like you said, CL games are defensive, closely fought out games usually. I am still not thinking he is right for us though. I wonder why we haven’t gone for Ronaldinho, because Fergie was really keen on him at one point, and he is still only 27, and still a very skilful player in my mind!. What do you think?.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:38
Oh and to clarify, I’m sure Barcelona didn’t switch to non stop aerial bombardment when things didn’t go their way, because their system wasn’t set up to facilitate that sort of play, but Larsson gave them the one genuine aerial threat and his introduction and his tactically astute play ensured he was a nuisance for defenders.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:40
[craig]
I am also not willing to believe that Ronaldinho is finished as a player. I think at 28 he can still offer a lot. I always thought he needed a different manager and someone to give him some sense of direction. If we were to sell Ronaldo, I don’t think Ronaldinho would be a bad idea. Because I think Ferguson can get the best out of him.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:47
RR, that’s what I mean. Ronaldinho didn’t just lose his skill overnight, and he could be a great buy for us, whether you know who leaves or not. If Ronaldinho plays as well as he can do, he will attract as much hero worship and adulation as CR7. So yeah, I agree with your thinking on him.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:48
RR, I think that Fergie can get the best out of anyone!
Also, regarding the ages of potential transfer targests, Berbatov is 27 years old.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:53
In fact, if Fergie buys him, he could treat it as his last greatest challenge: rejuvenating a fading star. How brilliant would that be.
June 18th, 2008 at 0:58
I know Scolari wants to try and rejuvenate Ronaldinho, and I know its a good possibility, because of the Brazil connection. That might be where we could lose out, their previous working together for the Brazil cause. Scolari to Brazil players is like family!. I do agree that Fergie could really bring Ronaldinho to life again too though.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:03
Rd; Haven’t we all been talking about not believing the news. Jones for me is an average player. He’s a holding midfielder with good pace but for me he lacks the physicality for the position and I really do not see a great skill level. For me he is much ado about nothing. If United are indeed interested in him they are really scraping the barrel. Also, the last thing they need is a holding midfielder. Jeez! Enough already with holding midfielders.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:14
Ronaldinho is yesterday’s news. RVN, Beckham and Stam weren’t finished either and Fergie showed them the door. Obviously the forced his hand but still, Fergie is not interested in making United’s core older. Ronaldinho’s fall from greatness has more to do with his attitude and lifestyle off of the pitch. There have been rumors that he is involved with shady types and that he is experimenting with drugs too. Now I don’t know if that’s all BS but people thought it was BS too when it happened to Maradona. Ronaldo (Brazil), Rivaldo, and others have all lost their edge and ability to dominate at a relatively early age. Perhaps the pressure on them to perform and their Brazilian lifestyle and heritage just zaps the hunger out of them. I wouldn’t risk the farm on him. Besides I have always hated the buck toothed bastard and his stupid ponytail. Just my personal bias but at least I’m honest about it. Let him sign for FC Rentaplayer in London, so that we can kick his ass during the season. And if Man City signs him I’ll grow a third leg. Talk about delusions of grandeur! Like Ronaldinho would want to play for that sorry ass bunch.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:53
[Grognard]
Fergie fell out with Becks and RvN. And he admitted selling Stam to be a big mistake. So I wouldn’t rule that out entirely. I was a big fan of Ronaldinho from the pre-WC2002 days and I find it hard to believe that someone with such outrageous talent can lose it at 28! Unless of course, he’s 35 and he forged his birth certificate.
Of course, as you say, Fergie may not be keen to buy an older player.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:38
RR; Like I said earlier, I absolutely hated Ronaldinho and unlike you I detest Brazil (that hasn’t always been the case. Just since 1994) but I agree with you that the lad had outrageous talent. But lately he has looked fat, slow and very disinterested. Rikkaard and him only had a falling out after things got so bad with his lack of playing hard and apathetic nature. The guy turned south not because he had been benched, but because something had begun to distract him and preoccupy his attention. And it wasn’t football. Rumors of drugs and drink are nothing new with many of these great Brazilians. They can’t seem to handle their superstar status. I just think he is too much of a gamble when their are players like Arshavin and Moutinho out there that would cost much less than him. For me he would not be a wise purchase for a couple of years at the back end of his career. I’m so confident he would be a bust that I’m hoping Chelsea buy him. It’s Big Phil’s time to start to ask what the Hell happened to him.
Sorry for knocking your favorites Brazil. For me they just don’t play the super Samba football they did during the Pele area. My favorite Brazilian team and a team I absolutely loved was the 82 team that lost to that pathetically lucky Italian squad in the WC. Socrates, Falcao, Zico, Eder, Junior. Just love watching them play. That team wasn’t bogged down by European tactics. They were cocky and talented and their one weakness did them in. They had terrible goalkeeping. Todays Brazil reminds me of their manager Dunga. Dull and boring and oh so slow. And their results of late verify what I have been saying. I might infuriate a lot on this site with this next statement but The Brazil I used to love wouldn’t even give a player like Anderson a sniff when it comes to playing for the team. Not because the lad doesn’t have talent, but because his skill set was the opposite of what they were about. All they cared about was attack attack and attack, but with finesse and style.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:03
Boy I’m feeling a little spoilt. First Man Utd wins the double and now my Boston Celtics win their 17th NBA world championship. This has been a very good year. If only the New England Patriots hadn’t choked in the Super Bowl, I would be in total ecstasy. Nothing beats the feeling of winning it all.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:41
grog
the things you say about dhino, similar things could be attributed to cantona as well. he was the enfante terrible of french football, outrageously talented but was going nowhere (careerwise) till SAF took him under his tutelage and made him an OT icon! For me Dhino has absolutely won everything he could at Barca and he needs a new challenge. Repeating his success with utd in the PL could be the very challenge for him. The same can be said of Ronaldo (our ron) as well. He has won everything he can with utd now. Every major or minor honour in domestically and a european cup! He might as well go the same way as dhino and become disinterested if he lingers longer (coz these are same type of players – their motivation is not playing for the club but for themselves ) I really believe SAF can still bring out the best out of dhino again and he could be a very very good signing for us. If he comes for 10-15m then it is worth a punt really. There is still no player in the world better than dhino when he is at his absolute best (probably even better than zidane i would say!!!)
June 18th, 2008 at 7:15
Tomas, for Ronaldo to be in the same league as Beckham and Best, he should be as loyal as they were to the club. They weren’t simply one-season or two season wonders like it seems he is shaping up to be. It is true, everything is in the air presently, but he is no United legend for he does not seem to have that United loyalty that Beckham and Best possessed.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:35
Jos; Cantona’s problem was more ego driven. Ronaldinho has gotten fat and lazy and he has some serious off field issues that make Cantona look like an alter boy. Ronaldinho also shuts off to coaches telling him what to do. He is just not coachable. Anyway, when Fergie bought Cantona he was only 5 years into his reign at United and a much younger man. at almost 70 years old I don’t think he welcomes or relishes another reclamation project. Especially since he will only have 2 to 3 years left himself. If it was only a case of finding the fire inside Ronaldinho by giving him a new challenge in new surroundings, I’d say go for it. But I think Ronaldinho’s problems run a lot deeper and for me he is too much of a risk. Especially when there are better players available who are younger and cheaper.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:52
Manutd.com works again. News? Yes, Samuel Etoo has joined United! Just kidding. The news are about France being out of the Euros, Ronaldo says nothing and what else…forgot it.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:31
grog
a problem is a problem. and there are no problems that cannot be resolved!
leeds sold us cantona for peanuts despite him leading them to a title coz they couldnt handle him. SAF could and rest is history. Dhino’s problems could be tackled as well. He is a super talent and all he lacks is probably motivation at this time. People at his level (absolute top in the footy world) need constant challenges to maintain their hunger (this is exactly what SAF also said of Ronaldo – if he stays we will need to invent new challenges for him). He has won everything at barca, twice world player of the year and all. If he were just a very good player (like Raul is or Giggs is) he could have survived staying with one club. But he is too good (like Maradona) so it will be good for him if he moves now. Prob a new challenge in the PL or Serie A will again bring the best out of him (just as it did with Cantona – the challege to take a club like Utd back to where it belonged after 26 years in wilderness). Of course I might be wrong but it would do this game tremendously great if the dhino of old (or even something similar) can be brought back. He is really too good a player to be getting wasted like that… [ recollect his free kick goal against Seaman at WC.. pure genius... who can score like that today?]
June 18th, 2008 at 8:51
jos; Mate you are missing my point. You keep bringing up a new challenge as being the only thing that Ronaldinho is missing. I’m telling you he has more serious problems to deal with and these are problems that are not easily solved by changing teams. United took a chance on Cantona but they are not in the habit of taking on troubled athletes. Ronaldinho has been accused of taking drugs, drinking heavily and mixing with shady types. That spells hands off to me. Nothing has come out to disprove these accusations and lets face it, Ronaldinho skills and desire has suffered drastically while his supposed injuries have increased. It’s clear you are Ronaldinho fan and that I am not so we will just have to disagree with each other on this one. Let Chelsea take the chance on him. I want better and younger players with good attitudes to help Man Utd maintain their dominance in Europe. Cantona is a proud and arrogantly confident Frenchman whereas Ronaldinho is a fat out of shape lazy samba dancer who would prefer sitting on the beach in Rio with a bottle of scotch next to him. I’ll take Cantona’s deficiencies every time. When it comes to Dinho, I’m afraid you are living in the past.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:59
Plus, Ronaldinho likes to party and had problems with Reijkaard since he didnt come to training cause he partied all night and drank a lot. I dont want a player like that in our team. Skills he has, but his personality isnt great. He is Saha-like injury prone too.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:02
If Ronaldo decides to stay, will the United fans boo him as we didi with Rio? I wont.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:13
Ronaldinho, was class not now, if Fergie can’t turn him around I don’t know who can?! another talent wasted like The Brizilian Ronaldo
June 18th, 2008 at 9:24
If and probably when HE goes how about Royston Drenthe as a make weight in any deal? he has had a poor season but, still talented and young?
June 18th, 2008 at 16:28
Stephen; Drenthe is an interesting choice. I too think he has loads of potential but wonder what’s happened to him in Madrid. In fact I was one of those who was blown away by the style and skill of last year’s Dutch Under 21 European champions. They had several players that I thought had the potential to become world class players. The only one of the bunch that has shown anything so far is Ryan Babel. But player like Drenthe, Daniel De Ridder, Maceo Rigters, Luigi Bruins, and Hedwiges Maduro have not lived up to their potential. Yes they are young but man I expected at least Drenthe, Babel and Rigters to be the real deal. I still think Drenthe can become a world class LWB but time will tell. The fact that he can also play LMF makes an interesting prospect as a throw in in any deal with Madrid. He could play LMF or backup Evra. I’d take more of a chance on him than that slug Ronaldinho.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:55
It’s a relatively easy thing. When the legion of manchester united fans are unsettled because they’re not sure you’re going to stay – What should you do if you had intentions to stay and wanted to finish off all the rumours and false stories? You simply make a statement to the numerous papers who interview you that YOU WANT TO STAY AT MAN UTD and you’re not going anywhere else in the near future. Instead of constantly saying you will assess the future after the euros because that shows blatant disloyalty. Even if the papers are writing rubbish why is it taking him so long to positively say man utd is where my heart is?
And Tomas honestly no fan would want a player whos heart isn’t in the club to play in a red shirt. Its not about staying positive, its about being realistic because this drama unsettles the club…the fans…the players.
Finally like i mentioned a player who wants to stay would end in in 1 line “I WANT TO STAY” he doesnt need a year…a month…a week…a day…its something that takes a few seconds to say.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:38
Ronnie has come out and said he wants to stay though. Infact the only confirmable comments from him about it are him expressing that he wants to stay. Even during the Euros he has said he wants to stay to ITV and I’m sure we would have heard it again and again if the Portugal media team weren’t doing such a good job as preventing the question.
June 19th, 2008 at 13:19
Ronnie has stated though he wants to stay (Inlcuding him stating again the other night), yet he does it and he is still hounded by the press. The only comments we have to go on that are confirmable are him saying he wants to stay. No matter what he says this isnt going to die down until Real bid and united make their decision.
June 19th, 2008 at 18:49
three words boring boring boring.