Category: 
Having insisted that he wouldn’t sell Real Madrid a virus, Alex Ferguson has gone and sold them something much worse. He must now find a talented but stroppy winger, who likes to fall over, doesn’t like to track back and can’t drive, all for less than £80 million!!
Okay, the anti-United banter aside, Ronaldo’s imminent departure to Real Madrid comes as little surprise and while some may baulk at the price paid, especially considering Kaka went to the Bernabeu for £24 million less, you have to remember that Real Madrid buy players for more than their footballing talent. It could be argued that Kaka is a better player but right now Ronaldo is a more marketable commodity and his shirt sales will already be starting to chip away at that record breaking fee.
In purely footballing terms, will Florentino Perez’ previously used Galacticos policy reap the rewards that everyone expects after such a financial outlay? Some will say that having too many high profile players in the one team will create a disjointed team with off-field personality clashes undermining their ability to achieve on the pitch. This view is more a rehashed platitude than an insightful projection of things to come. Whatever your opinion of Ronaldo’s on-field histrionics, there has been little evidence to suggest that he is a disruptive influence in the dressing room, though he has been unsettled since last Summer’s speculation, there have been no notable rumours of major personality clashes with other United players so there’s no reason to believe this will change in Madrid. As long as he keeps on Raul’s good side of course. As for Kaka? The Brazilian has been nothing but a model professional throughout his career and this is sure to continue at Madrid. The doubt being raised is whether these two, along with whoever joins this Summer, will gel effectively with the players already there? If two of the best players in the world can’t adapt to playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world then who can? If there is any doubt in the mix then it has to be created by new manager Manuel Pelligrini. We know what Kaka and Ronaldo can do but one runners-up finish and an Inter-Toto cup win with Villarreal is the sum of his accomplishments in Europe. Pelligrini’s major successes have all come in South America and while these shouldn’t be dismissed, they do carry less weight in this part of the world. He may well lead Real to a clean sweep of all competitions but at this point he is where the biggest doubts rest.
Back to Ronaldo and United. That Alex Ferguson didn’t want to lose his star player was clear, especially with the relative failure of Dmitar Berbatov, but having achieved all he could at United and with an unhidden desire to move to Madrid at some point, there was little point keeping Ronaldo at the club if he no longer wanted to be there. Getting £80 million for his services will have helped twist Fergie’s arm too. Now what though? Moving Rooney into a more central roll will increase the number of goals he scores but will he reach the same numbers as the departing Ron? It’s unlikely and unless Berbatov suddenly finds an enthusiasm for hard work, he won’t be the one to counteract this loss of firepower either. So Alex clearly needs to start looking for a replacement, if he doesn’t already have one lined up. Remember though that United still have massive debts and a large portion of this sale could be used to off-set the increased losses of parent company Red Football.
Here are the most obvious targets:
Franck Ribery: Bayern are very reluctant to sell and will hold out for a fee in the region of the Kaka and Ronaldo deals. Doesn’t score as many goals but is more creative and more of a team-player than Ronaldo. Would cost a large chunk of the £80 million which Fergie is unlikley to have at his disposal. The best replacement out there though.
David Villa: Although heavily rumoured to be on the verge of joining Real Madrid as well, they don’t have a limitless supply of money and a big offer in the £30-40 million region could be enough to tempt him to Manchester. Consistently prolific and would suit United’s style of attacking. However he does favour remaining in Spain.
Antonio Valencia: A replacement in position only. While a talented and creative player he doesn’t offer anything like the attacking threat. Will probably end up at Old Trafford but another goal-scorer would still be required.
Carlos Tevez: The Argentinian is unhappy with how he’s been treated during his time at the club He may be persuaded to stay but being so similar to Rooney has hampered him so far and that’s unlikely to change dramatically should he decide to remain where he is.
The idea that United will now fall to pieces is an appealing one but Ronaldo isn’t the first star player to leave Old Trafford during Ferguson’s reign and there’s no reason to think that the departure of the Portuguese winger will have a catastrophic effect. Keane, Cantona, Beckham, Stam, Van Nistelrooy…all were big losses and yet the trophies kept coming.
What do you think of Ronaldo’s move? Will it effect United’s title hopes next season and who do you think Ferguson should get to replace him?
June 11th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Aye! THE TROPHIES WILL KEEP COMING , Players have come and gone before. King Eric Transformed the club the Most - we are ever indebted with his legacy. Ronaldo - Fantastic Player will be missed but a pawn in the modern came he has become , not a prawn Roy!. The last season he has not been the same player the season before. 42 goals from 49 was AMAZING! He’d probably never have a season again like that for United or for Real Madrid. Been Good this season so €80 Million is a Good deal.
As for Real - they badly need defenders - Vidic is NOT FOR SALE, Rio is NOT FOR SALE, 2 Rocks of Manchester. The now have Kaka and Ronaldo and Villa is a done deal from what i’ve heard. The fact that Barcelona won the Treble must have Sickened Real and the have been ABYSMAL in the Champions League for the last 5 years. 5 KO’s at last 16 in a row. A RECORD ! Still laughing at how Fergie got rid of Useless Heinze - he is truly awful for an Argentinian - I Wish Liverpool HAD bought him. The way an average liverpool STILL WITHOUT A LEAGUE TITLE GOING INTO A THIRD DECADE! beat them home and away must have been an all time low for real. I doubt they will win a CL or a Spanish Title next season unless they fix that defence. 2 Huge Clubs have I suppose been weakened by the loss of Kaka and Ronaldo but I think one of them MUFC are more resilient and won’t be fielding Geriatric team like Milan - most of that squad are in their 30s and Mid 30’s. Remarkabel that Maldini was still playing at near 41. Ronaldinho, Beckham and even the EVERSCORING EVEROFFSIDE Inzaghi are really yesterdays players. I would sooner be in Fergie’s position where a couple of QUALITY Signings - NO Forlans or Fortunes PLEASE would do the trick.
The team does not need to be rebuilt although Giggs and especially Scholes are nearly done. Ribery would be an ideal player for United. Stylish and Swashbuckling - A Footballer in the United style. Tevez could stay but seems like his agent has told him to move. Messi would probably not be suited to the premier league but it would be great if Barca sold us him. Eto’o represents a played I’d have - he has the look of a cole or yorke and could hit 20plus goals for us. Well all is in the future. AND WE MOVE ON - Aye! Unlike some lol
June 11th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
It’s a sad day that Utd have become a selling club, but you can’t blame the lad for wanting to play at a big club. Sir Alex looks like he is not up for the job against the top coaches (Pep, Rafa and now Carlo), don’t be surprised if he goes! At least we got our money back for Nani and Berbatov, that are only free transfers at best now
June 11th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Pep - first year , The Treble Congrats - see what he has won in 30 odd years, how many titles? lol, he probably won’t be managing a Huge Club in 5 years. Carlo - Great manager although he threw away a game v liverpool - that will be on his tomb forever and he was 2-0 up v united in 99 semi until Keano cemented his LEGENDARY STATUS. Rafa - Flukey Silver Service Waiter - 2 Flukey cups on penalties and ZERO league titles. Man United are right now a bigger club than REAL - FACT in terms of current domestic success and European Finals. Freshen up Your Thinking Fresh. United are currently the most successfull club Domestically in HISTORY. To win in Europe again we do neet calibre players like Ronaldo - so yes it is a bit of a sad day.
You are a United Fan! Really! If so your deluded some . Fergie has taken on rafa, ancelloti , MOURINHO, Wenger, Rijkard et al and mostly come out on TOP. Ok - sometimes in Europe fergie has got his tactics wrong but the buck must stop with the players at the end of the day. Keano had a point about a few when he said they were happy to SETTLE on what they won. KEANO - YOU ARE THE MAN TO REPLACE FERGIE EVENTUALLY - WINNERITIS YOU HAVE LIKE FERGIE.
June 11th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I blame the manager for making the boy constantly lie to the fans that he wanted to stay when he couldn’t wait until he got out the door. This transfer id karma for all the players Fregie has tapped up in the past when clubs didn’t want to sell. He may use the money to find a partner for the water carrier Fletcher, or the creative talent of Carrick. What price not ever top 4 this season?
June 11th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Fergie will never be a great coach due to poor record in the Champions League, three finals in near twenty odd years. He will be losing more of his team as European sucess is greater than the domestic bullying that he has got away with for years. I feel sorry for Ronaldo, who wouldn’t want to take a step up to Real Madrid and play with Kaka, Huigain, Diarra etc
June 11th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Mark Robins, do you know anything about football? Or are you a wind-up merchant? Had your statement not started with “Fergie will never be a great coach” and ended with “Huigain, Diarra etc” someone, not sure who, may have taken you seriously. If Real Madrid have such a good squad, how did Premier League second placed Liverpool beat them 4 - 0. Please don’t respond, you’ll only embarrass yourself.
June 11th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Ronaldo wanted to leave and initiated the move himself at least two years ago.Anyone who says otherwise is delusional.United are in a strong position to buy quality players if the price is right.The trouble with being such a big club is that if they express an interest in a player the potential transfer fee skyrockets.
As a Liverpool fan I’m glad he’s gone.Hopefully we’ll win the elusive Premier League next season!
June 11th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Whats your point Frank? Ronaldo has moved to a club with better attacking talent and midfield options than Utd. Apart from Rooney, no other forward or midfielder would get into the Real team. I think Liverpool beat them as they are far superior team in Europe and have proved that by being the UEFA top ranked team of the last five years
June 12th, 2009 at 12:40 am
wow what a rant United 19!
United supporters(currently sayin “we’re the biggest and best we’ll still win everything”) will realise how big a loss ronaldo is next season unless d money is spent wisely they need a total revamp of their midfield 4 to ensure they compete, i think he needs 2 wingers,
left side i’m not sure they’ll match the askin price for ribery he’s good but not 50million good, slightly surprised they didn’t try get robben as part of d ron deal.
right side : Should buy both valencia and aaron lennon (yes 2 men to replace 1 basically) - Valencia would be a good signing for anything under 15million and i think he myt also go for aaron lennon purely for blistering pace, which fergie has always had in his teams kanchelskis, giggs in his prime, ronaldo.
centrally they are lackin a bit of presence, fletcher had a good season can he sustain that form i;m not too sure, carrick got exposed in rome, he can be easily pressured into mistakes, give him time on the ball and he’s a lovely footballer. struggling to find the player best suited maybe someone like essien (no chance of getting him) palacios, or gattuso.
up front stick with what they have includin tevez, berbatov surely has to improve if he can be bothered, finally myt get to use rooney up front where he’s most dangerous.
at the back they are very strong, would like to see foster get his chance though.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:02 am
i think united should buy lucus for 50 m and n’gog for 30m from liverpool that sounds good sound business to me.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:45 am
nice try LFC, i’d be desperate to flog them too, not sure fergie has gone senile overnight tho!
June 12th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
jaysus - we all forget so quickly.
1) ronaldo was a magnificent player for manchester united. regardless of the bad stuff, he’s been incredible for us, has won everything these is to win so good luck to him. incidentally, anyone (TommoC) who thinks he set this up 2 years ago is delusional - 1 year ago maybe, but 2 years ago before the season of his life (42 goals, league, CL, world and european player of year)? no chance!
2) people questioning ferguson’s managerial excellence are either on the wind-up or simply haven’t a clue. his overall european record, relative to his peerless domestic achievements, is slightly disappointing, but in the last 3 years (semi, winners, final) we’ve been the top team in the champions league and tactically he’s been very good. the final this year was one of those things - the players didn’t turn up, and when guardiola changed the barca system bringing messi inside to give their midfield more support (who could hardly get a kick in the first 10 minutes) we should have been able to react, but ultimately barca were too good.
3) as reported today, i think ferguson will have the full 80m at his disposal + whatever other transfer funds were available, possibly making a transfer kitty of 100m. obviously this will now inflate transfer fees, but it’s always exciting as a football fan, when there’s an influx of new talent at your club - should be fun!
4) i think this is a good deal all round. real madrid get arguably the world’s best player, and one of the most marketable. ronaldo gets to play for the team that the majority of players from the latin world idolise, plus gets paid a fortune and his ego will love him being the most expensive player in history. and as for united, it’s probably best to see what our squad looks like at the start of the season, but if we’ve received 80m for a player who appeared to have lost his hunger for the club, and we can invest this elsewhere in the squad, then happy days.
fun times ahead!
June 12th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Im sick of United fans saying good riddance. Ronaldo won 2 leagues and a Champions league for the wasters. They never appreciate anyone at United. I guarantee if Utd meet Real nxt yr in CL, the Utd scum will boo Ronaldo. Ronaldo wasn’t gd for the Premiership as regards his antics, but he set a standard for all other forwards to follow, and even the likes of Liverpool, who I support have not been able to do so. The man scored so many of the goals in Utds one nil victories, always popping up within the 90 minutes. Utd fans should say thanks Ronaldo, you set the bar for all other players to follow. Personally, unless Torres has an injury free season, I cannot see anyone scoring that amount of goals in one season for a long time.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Yet again Man U will spend the most in the transfer market, and then they wonder why the normal football fans don’t accept Fergie is a great manager. Fergie mis-lead the fans all the time surrounding the boy, you can’t beleive a word comes from his mouth, especially after acceprting the deal, while 6 months earlier commenting their was no chance.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
eamonn - i think i quite clearly said he’s been an incredible player and wished him luck. while we’re disappointed, it’s quite exciting knowing changes are afoot. i for one won’t be booing him.
the goat - liverpool have consistently outspent united (in fact everyone in the premier league apart from chelsea) in terms of total spend and net spend (which is transfer money spent minus transfer money received if you didn’t know) since benitez took over. thees, my amigo, ees fax.
clearly united will spend a lot this summer, but would you expect anything less when you received 80m (plus another 10 for campbell, gibson, simpson, kuczczczczcak etc) in transfer fees.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
This story has been old news for a while, as it broken by a very well respected Spanish journalist on Skysports who always has his figure on the pulse, Guillem Balague. Many Utd fans just wouldn’t face it, although someone knew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
LOL!! guillem balague is a guesser! he also broke the stories that ronaldo was signing for madrid last summer, and that torres to man united was a done deal during the 2006 world cup.
even a blind squirrel can sometimes find a nut.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
who ever sold ronaldo to united hopefully had a sell on clause in the contract ,if they did the are landed
June 13th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Theres no way selling ronaldo is in any way a good move for united. They had the premierships best player, now they dont. They can buy valencia , ribbery or whoever they are not proven to work at united and will take time to settle. This is without a doubt a big blow to united. They are a selling club ,I couldn’t see liverpool selling gerrard or torres could you?
June 13th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Vidic now another one who wants away, Fergie is cracking up!
June 13th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
just goes to show you the english premiership isnt as atractive as we think. ronaldo,messi, xavi, iniesta,kaka all not playing in england. how long before torres follows. not one of the worlds best players has signed for an english team while in there prime
June 13th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Man Utd won’t be able to replace that many goals and assists in one player like Ronaldo!
Dream on Mancs about becoming the most successful English team!!! Selling Ronaldo will be the enforced reason why Ferguson retires after a fruitless next season.
Chelsea need major restructuring because their players are too old and Ancelotti does not convince me that he has the tactical ability to cope with an English Premier League.
Arsenal will be the runners up to Liverpool next season if Wenger buys wisely!
Liverpool will win the Premiership title next season. Rafa will be able to buy a couple of quality additions to add to the team.
Dream on Mancs it is the dawn of a new era of supremacy for Liverpool.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Indeed it is’nt J.The Premier League is a shallow soap opera full of overpaid,undertalented, narcississtic mercenaries who would’nt understand the concept of loyalty if it bit them on the ar$e!
Thank God for the All-Ireland Gaelic Football Championships.A game played by real men for no pay!
June 13th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I wouldn’t go over board on their demise just yet, they have a lot of money to spend, let’s hope Fergie keeps his recent transfer record up, Nani And Berba!
June 13th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Merv i as a liverpool fan hope he keeps up that standard of transters, overpriced and over rated dirt. Still think united will be best team in england again next year which kills me to say it. Unless lfc buy a good right and left sided midfielder and cover for torres and gerrard i predict the same outcome next year. If ronaldos worth 80m gerrard must be worth 100m
June 13th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
the only difference is ronaldo is a winner gerrard not.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
doll if he was a winner why leave united for real who aren’t exactly winning. maybe a greedy shit not a winner
June 13th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
gerrard has athing called loyalty which is rare nowadays
June 13th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
id be loyal too on 80 grand a week.all ronaldo want to do is spend a few nights in PARIS.
June 14th, 2009 at 10:05 am
gerrards on 110 grand a week and could double that if he wanted but wants to stay at liverpool, same as giggs neville and scholes at united.Doll you should be a stand up with that wit.
June 14th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Fergie comes out today and says that they done well to keep hold of the lad, it was only at the end of April in a pre match new conference before the CL semi final that he made Ronaldo lie to the whole world and say that he wants to stay, fooking shocking!
June 14th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
1. one reason playing in spain is more attractive than england at the moment is tax. tax for high earners is much much less over there - top players will now be paying 50% on most of their earnings in england. i think it’s something like 23% in spain.
2. vidic is going nowhere - it’s delusional and wishful thinking to say he’ll be leaving.
3. was gerrard as loyal as you all say when he slapped in a transfer request and you were all burning his shirt outside anfield?
4. there are reports today that ferguson is considering a bid for fernando torres - not sure rafa would be happy to sell, but maybe KPMG will step in and advise that it’s the best thing for the future of the club. who knows?
5. there’s a wonderful sense of deja vu from dave jones above - “Liverpool will win the Premiership title next season” - now where have i heard that before? i’m sure we don’t normally hear that till august most years!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
vidic going nowhere? deja vu ,i think i’ve been here before with a certain ronaldo. as for torres he personally would move to madrid instead of united. its not that all united as yous have found out
June 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
don’t really understand what you wrote there - any chance you can write it in english please?
vidic has come out himself this weekend and said he’s going nowhere - and i’m much more inclined to believe him when he says that then when ronaldo says it!!
if the rumours are true that david silva is on his way to old trafford - that would be a great signing. quick, versatile and young - and already a classy player. plus he already has some experience playing with torres for spain so hopefully they’ll be able to link up well for united.
June 14th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I think he knew this Utd team is on his last legs and he’ll probably has more chance of winning things at Real. Utd have done right not to hold him back, you can’t blame the player for wanting to play for a big club
June 14th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
tonton, what i meant to say before you tried to insult me is , its not all about united. All these big players have no interest in playing for united. as for vidic coming out and saying hes not going,did ronaldo not say that only a few days before he left? dream on about torres ,yous couldn’t afford him.
June 14th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
vidic, rooney,evra and tevez are the only players in my opinion that would get into the liverpool team,what do you think tonton
June 14th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
torres value has just up again after that hat trick,united might have to borrow money to add to the 80m if the would want him
June 14th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Lfc told ya that comment wouldnt last long,the one about i have plenty friends in boylesports.now read this quick before they take this off too.
June 14th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
liverpool should be allowed in the copa del rey next season - they’d have a chance of silverware there - Perhaps! lol
June 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I think your joking dismissive attitude towards Liverpool is an indication of the fear you have for the upcoming season since your team has become a laughing stock. Top players wanting out, Nani still getting his game, the worst midfield to ever win the league etc
June 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am
it’s amusing to hear liverpool fans talk about what’s required in a league-winning team.
who’s the missing piece in the jigsaw this summer? glen johnson is it?
June 15th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
No need for any new players, a bit of luck with injuries and we’ll be grand
June 15th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
sleeping beauty ;thank god i thought you were dead,now go on we havent heard of you for ages,thank god you are not dead now go on kid and lash it out again thank god your not dead..
June 16th, 2009 at 9:26 am
sleeping bag ha! ha! ha! FLETCHER world class? ha! ha1 ha! and what type of tackle would that be CARRICK likes, is he a closet bender? Nani should be renamed Noddy…actually that’s doing Noddy a disservice as he can actually play foot ball alongside Big Ears!
Giggs that pride of Wales who when it comes to an international is nowhere to be seen - great patriot for Wales he is!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
cant wait till next season lfc19/6 here we come
June 16th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
perhaps united should have held out for more. if glen johnson is worth 18m, maybe they could have got 150m for ronaldo?
June 16th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Lfc i was wondering how long it would take liverpool fans to start,every year its the same old shite ,have ye something in common with the dubs every year this is it and all ye get is jack shit and load of excuses.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:48 am
laughing stock! I haven’t stopped after that comment eamo, hahahahaha that’s hillarious.
sure u don’t need any players! if u wanna make it easy for us - be my guest.
one player liverpool don’t have is a link player or the one that plays in the hole - surely don benitez has figured this out by now. who does torres feed off? gerrard! thus ur losing his midfield drive. he is more of an energy player than a cerebral passer playing off the front. and u always have the option of pumping in long balls to torres AGAIN ! berbatov should be left in a hole for good i’m thinking. is glen johnson the solution to ur defence? an irregular england international? yes we have problems but maybe ur team have more METHINKS. and Chelsea have ANOTHER ANOTHER ANOTHER MANAGER. i’VE LOST COUNT. Is that You voyeur? reverse charges lol
June 17th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
united 19 does alonso and mascherano not play in the position you say we dont have. if you watched liverpool as last 4 years the only time we pumped long balls into the box was with crouch in the team. liverpool were playing the best football in the last 2/3 months of last season that the premiership has ever seen. we scored 77 goals in the league which was over 2 goals per game. would rather have glen johnson than gary neville
June 17th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
if thats your input ,lets hope its your last special1