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
- How good can Tevez be for Manchester United?
- Farewell Gerard, Selfish Rooney, EVDS to Play Till 40?
- No Fear For No One
- Some Words on Vidic + Fabio’s Cracker + Berbayawn
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: