Ronaldo - I reveal to the world my decis... Not so fast there, young man. - Fergie

[lynne]

To me, it seems all these controversies involve interviews that no one ever sees, and in languages that I never speak....plus using the additional feature that if you run any sentence -- example "The sky is blue.", -- thru Babelfish enough times, it apparently turns into, "My lifelong dream is play for Real Madrid."

Having said that, I am getting curious as to what could be announced this week -- 4 days before the start of Euro 2008. I suppose it's possible (likely?) that Ronaldo isn't terribly bright, but it's hard to believe that he would start a war between RM and Man Utd and then try to play in a tournament while the war explodes around him.

Choices for his behavior are:

1. New contract
2. Leaving for RM
3. Something else
4. Personal stuff

Number 1 doesn't seem likely because SAF wouldn't be issuing threats (if he really said the stuff about sitting Ronaldo in the stands -- I didn't see that interview either) if that was the case. Man Utd is a business though. Ronaldo may not be a business person, but I bet he has some good business people working for him.

2. As I already said, the timing for announcing that you want to move to RM seems rather bad. Assuming Ronaldo is as horrible of a person as you all think, why wouldn't he just lay low till after the tournament (ie lie) and then drop the bomb?

3. So what else could there be? It could be that he wants an agreement on negotiations for a new contract. Or that he's waiting for a sign that Utd is going to buy new players. I've also wondered if he's told enough times that RM is going to offer so much money that Utd won't be able to refuse, if that could explain the wishy-washy, "I like to be here next year, but one never knows...."

4. Who knows? Girlfriend. Family.

Still hard to believe that he wants to go to a club that has Ruud in it though. Maybe we'll get Ruud back?

[sdotsom]

Think littleman put it best - there's a difference between "ruthless" and "being a cnut", Johno. Ruthless would be Ronaldo coming out and clearly saying "I want to go to Real Madrid now". "Being a cnut" consists of his current actions - attempting to drag the club, its management, players, and fans around for a couple thousand more quid a week. He is currently being a cnut.

[yikchi]

I am quite sick and tired of this also.
I personally don't think he is leaving especially going to RM.

I hope he is smart enough to know that he won't be scoring for fun like he is playing for us. RM don't have selfless players like Rooney and Tevez and Park that would run their socks off to create space for him. Instead he would have to cater to Raul and his former best friend, Ruud van Nisterooy.

[Red 11]

Just to throw something out there....

Could it be this girl he's allegedly set to marry has told him she hates Manchester?

[Numquam Moribimur]

I think he's off.......:o:o:o

[Amdrag]

I've been reading around today and was quite surprised by the relative level of heartbreak about this whole saga seen on other sites on 't net.

It's people who are truly attached to the lad as a Utd player we've effectively moulded who seem to be taking it the worst.

I don't have that attachment to him, so it's wierd to watch the events unfold. It all feels rather gimpish.. playing the club and its supporters for mugs is indeed a dangerous game.

I'm just surprised he would do that to us/them given the amount of raw support he was backed with these last two years.

Whatever the outcome, it makes me wary of him. Sadly.

I completely get your and this is stupid. I hate the fact that I have to worry about this crap at all. Don't get that with the others.

Still you have to remember, I was both to young and unable to witness Cantona. As incredible as Scholes, Keane, and Giggs have been, for a lot of us this is the first true changer of a match on the offensive end we have seen at the club. Plus we have got to watch him grow up. This is attachment here for some of us.

[mhtwins113]

This seems like the Beckham situation all over again, yet this is on a whole different level since we have a player in this situation who is the best in the world despite not even being close to his prime. Excellent player, one I really like and admire, yet also (to echo DS) one I've never let myself get too emotionally attached to because the threat of him leaving has always loomed and Ronaldo himself has never seemed like he wanted to attach himself too much to the club because he had other aspirations for which he wanted to use us as a stepping stone.

Ultimately, I absolutely want to keep him if it's the best thing for the club and his ego hasn't completely consumed him to the point where he can still be an asset both in the dressing room and on the pitch. However, if SAF feels that Ronaldo would become too much of a distraction and cannot fit into the team concept anymore, then I will trust whatever decision SAF chooses to make.

The gaffer has shown that he believes Ronaldo to be essential though, so I don't expect that Ronaldo will be leaving this summer. No matter what happens, I thank Ronnie for his service to this club, he's definitely made his mark, but ultimately no one is bigger than the club and that includes prodigious talents of Ronaldo's class. The biggest gripe for me would be that it would be a complete embarassment that the club had let itself be bullied in such a manner by Ronaldo and Real Madrid and that we'd been made to look like Real's chumps rather than their equals. In other words, that the standing of United had been tainted in the world's eyes because Real Madrid was able to push us around, either directly from their club's leadership or indirectly from the player confronting us while they encouraged it.

[Achtung]

Amazing double standard. How many United fans turned on Ronaldo after the Rooney incident. Don't give me any bullshit about backing him after the WC stuff. As a United fan you had no choice in the matter. He played his fcuking socks off for the club.

In fairness, I think the fans in general tended to stick by Ronaldo at the time. I distinctly remember the chants of "There's only one Ronaldo" from the Stretford End on the opening day of the 2006-07 season.


As fans we're always going to want to back the club and how they deal with players. As a player, you're not just playing for a team, you're earning a living. They're not fans in the same way we are. At the end of the day Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't draw his identity from the club the way a Savante or a RoM might. I know I'm damned proud to support this club but I've only ever felt that way about 1 job - sadly a job I passed up for a higher paying gig that offered more exposure.

I think it's amazing that people expect players to remain at clubs in the same way that they did in the days before the Bosman ruling or indeed even the Eastham ruling. Players back then weren't more loyal--they were simply bound by the laws of the day. Professional athletes are trying to maximize their income and their successes, just like the rest of us. If we haven't got an ounce of loyalty towards our employers, why expect more from them?

Personally I've tried to avoid this entire saga as much as possible (and I was in Spain for a week and a half!). If Ronaldo really wants to go, then who are any of us to stop him from living his life? Sure he's probably getting whispers from those around him, and he's surely got dreams of being the best player in the world in an era when his latest highlights can be viewed around the globe in a matter of minutes. He'd undoubtedly be the most-watched athlete on the planet in that case.

Personally, I think Manchester United would be the best place for him to accomplish that. He and those around him may feel differently. What we shouldn't feel is any sort of slap in the face if he wants to go--he's given us far more to enjoy than we as individuals have given him.

After all, it's not personal, it's just football.

[Achtung]

On the other hand, Fergie's quotes today regarding the Glazers' attitude about leaving him to rot in the Reserves leave me perplexed as to what the hell is going on being the scenes...

But then, on the other other hand, it could be Ferguson, Gill and the Glazers applying pressure on Ronaldo and reminding him that we're no mugs and won't be held up.

As I mentioned above, I haven't been following this as closely as others, but seeing that quote on the MEN, that IMO would be very, very interesting coming from the Gl*zers. I'm shocked that they're even insinuating that they'd give up the money from a potential sale and leave a player sitting, undoubtedly decreasing his value greatly.

So of course I'm thinking it's a bluff all the way.

[johno]

Ruud got himself axed by acting like he was 10 years old. One of my favorite players when he was at United but he can blame no one but himself for his exit.

Yes, I'm sure only 10 year olds don't like being snubbed in cup finals. Regardless, Ruud wasn't sold on because he had a tiff with SAF because of PT. He was sold on because SAF thought that he could get more out of SAHA than he could out of Ruud. Even if he was sold on because of his bad behaviour the club could have stood by him the same way he stood by the club whenever Madrid came calling. To be sold when you're performing your job to the best of your abilities is a slap in the face - not too dissimilar from a player who has benefited from being at a club fcuks off to another because he sees it as more alluring.

You can don your red shades and say its not the same, but clubs abuse players all the freaking time.

I'm not afraid to say it, I'd be sad if Ronaldo left. I don't approve of his holding the club to ransom but it is what it is. He's trying to get paid.

Shit, I also have thought that perhaps he's been confident of a new deal and has been anxious to pledge his future to United but has decided to wait until paper work is done. He's said over and over he's happy to be at United. I think a bit too much has been read into his comments about waiting for something but I don't know.

If I were in his shoes and SAF had told me that they would sort out my contract in a couple weeks I'd probably have said I was happy to stay and that there'd be news shortly too eh?

Excellent post Yaj.

[bestbecks]

I agree though, that his ego is too big and unmanageable. However I'm sure once he gets what he wants he'll stop banging the rattler on his cage.

Hmm... that Ronaldo sounds just like a Real Madrid fan. I guess it would be a perfect match after all.

I think what frustrates me most about this Ronaldo situation is his unwillingness to come out and just commit to the club. Of course nobody knows the future Cristiano, but I can bet your ass they have an idea of what is going to happen in a couple days. It certainly does feel as though he's holding the club hostage in a sense. He knows that he is going to win the WPOTY award, he knows that he had a major hand in helping us to the double this year, he knows what committing to this club would mean for the manager and players. So why has he got to keep this attitude.

We don't know what goes on behind the scenes at Old Trafford and we haven't the slightest clue about what his relationship is with Ferguson. I had thought that Fergie always knew the type of player Cristiano was. Hell, I thought I knew the type of player Cristiano was prior to this season. I thought he was a hard working, dedicated, and fearless player who would do whatever it would take to get to where he is now, and to be honest I did not envisage him handling this situation the way he has done. It's as if he thinks no one in the world of football can hold a candlestick to him, not even his own club, and that to me is very upsetting. To see a player so young reach such a height where he has an air of invincibility and greatness to him that he thinks only he has achieved in the history of the game of football - to let it all go to his head... it saddens me.

I do not possess the same emotional attachment to this player as I did with Beckham, or with Ruud, or as I do with Scholes. So I cannot honestly say that him leaving would cause me saddness in the sense that I'd be missing him as a person playing for Manchester United Football Club. I would sure as hell miss what he brings to this team. The goal return and on the field output he gives us is immense, not to be duplicated by anyone at the club currently in my opinion. That is what I would miss about him leaving, as I'm sure every United fan would. But he just does not seem to have this club in his heart, he has never said that he has like the three players I have mentioned before. Maybe it's because I cannot draw that connection to him (the fact that Man Utd is in my heart and not in his) that leaves me feeling apathetic to him.

I really hope he stays, I honestly do because I feel as though he is a big piece of what this club needs to continue onto greater things in the coming years (every great team has had - arguably - the world's best player playing for them) and I believe that should he stay and commit to this club and put to bed the "Ronaldo to Real" rumours for at least a few seasons. Then he could firmly etch his name into the Manchester United, and world football history books not only as an immensely talented player, but as a very responsible and true player.

If he stays and commits for the next two to three seasons (verbally and contractually) then it will mean a lot for his name and reputation, this club, and I'm sure us fans. If he says he wants to leave then we can sure as hell label him a mercenary who used our club as nothing but a stepping stone to bigger, personal accolades.

[sdotsom]

The thing is - so what happens if he scores 50 goals next season (though I think he's peaked in terms of pure goal numbers)? Does he want another summer like this?

[SirManchester]

I also wonder just how much Scolari has influenced Ronaldo's decision or hesitancy. He's been around him enough for the past week because of friendlies and the former has come out publically earlier last week and hinted that Ronaldo should move to Madrid. Ronaldo thinks highly of Scolari, possibly as much as Ferguson and considers him a mentor and important figure in his development - even moreso now that Scolari re-affirmed his place in the team with the captaincy.

I don't think he will move, he's got to have more brains than that and I don't think enough fans give him credit for his loyalty. He could have moved on after his disgraceful World Cup two summers ago but chose to stick it out and fight on - giving us two wonderful seasons.

Now I don't know whether he believes he's accomplished all there is at United and he needs "another challenge" as many professional footballers do, but I don't think Ronaldo is at the point in his career where he's peaking and he just so happens to be in the ideal environment for that to happen, with some of the best young players on the planet and quite possibly the best manager for him in Ferguson. I think he's smart enough to realize that as well as he can move abroad comfortably in at least three years.

[johno]

The thing is - so what happens if he scores 50 goals next season (though I think he's peaked in terms of pure goal numbers)? Does he want another summer like this?

What happens if god forbid he had a career ending injury next year?

Or if he misses a significant portion of the season through injury only to have United thrive whilst he's out and Ferguson and the club decide getting 50M for him from Madrid now would be in our best interests? Has that never happened before in football?

I can't hate on anyone trying to secure their future. I think if Ronnie felt he has to secure a huge contract now so that no matter what happens his family and his future are secure then he's entitled to it.

[Invincible]

I can't hate on anyone trying to secure their future. I think if Ronnie felt he has to secure a huge contract now so that no matter what happens his family and his future are secure then he's entitled to it.

Yes because obviously he's just struggling to get by in his cubicle. Right?

[Mighty_Mouse]

Is it difficult for you guys to sleep at night with your constant worrying about everything surrounding the club? Ronaldo will give a definitive answer in a few days. There is nothing wrong with what he's doing, he is simply being honest about the future not being certain and his desire to one day play in Spain.

[Vermont Red]

At this point, I feel like if he goes, then so be it. Thanks and good luck and all that. He'll be replaced and we'll still be favorites in the Premier League and Champions League next season.

[cachundo]

Sell the bastard already. Real Madrid and Ronaldo lack class - they totally deserve each other.

[Spartak]

Whatever Ronaldo's "decision" I just hope if ManU have to sell him they sell him to Barca. That would be the ultimate FU to Calderon.

[cachundo]

Doesn't the player have to agree too? Barca are a great club, for almost anyone, not sure if he wants to go there though.