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

[Dark Savante]

What 'decision' is that then?

Are we supposed to be grateful if he decides to stay?

I think the lad is steadily going about severing ties here, even if he does sign a new contract.

Holding the club to ransom every off season will not be tolerated by the fans.

The idea of him even having a decision to make is highly insulting to supporters who stuck with him through thick and thin since the WC

I've found his coy flirtations and non-commital attitude to just squashing any rumours flat-out to be disappointing. It makes you wonder whether he believes himself to be bgger than the club to generate such a fervour about something that could be fundamentally squashed with a single, definitive 'I'm not going anywhere' rather than his continued contradictory statements, which may be his way of getting the best contract he can from us, or not..

I was going to post this in the Ronaldo thread were a few people have opined on the subject, but this is a major talking point that is worthy of its own thread and header.

How do you feel towards all this? The media spin is one thing, but when you see the likes of Torres immediately squashing any overtures and rumours within a day, you can clearly see there's a talking point to what our player is doing.

I wonder how loyal fans and supporters can remain when a key player is toying with us in such a way. Doesn't the inevitably of him leaving sooner rather than later now become a serious possibility? Fergie and co seemingly running around after him as they are is quite saddening. We've just won the European Cup and all this nonsense is on our doorstep even if he declares he's staying. :(

I remain indifferent to Ronaldo, I can write about him, be impressed by his improvements, but I struggle to be won over by him in perhaps the way Anderson, Evra, Vidic and Rooney struck some kind of chord since they arrived. I'll struggle to become attached to him should he stay because I don't think he's 'worth' the emotional investment. I suppose you could say it's a case of enjoying him whilst he is here, but to win over, he'd have to show some commitment to our cause and not his own for a number of years before leaving. He said all the right things 'thank you to my team and team-mates, without them I could not have scored so many' etc, but with the continued frenzy every window, the time has come for actions to speak over words.

Tell the suitors to go away.. or what's the point in staying?

[Motterman]

I still think it's just immature contract negotiation tactics. Probably a dangerous game to play with our supporters, but financially, it could be very rewarding for him.

Oh, and DS, I think we're all just waiting for the inevitable when he does leave. Achtung and I both think we'll get another 2 or maybe 3 years, and then he's off. I still think he has much to learn and it's too soon for him to move on to a new challenge. But then, I'm not his pimp...err... agent.

[Dark Savante]

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.

[Motterman]

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.

2 Things:

1 - We've always known Ronaldo wanted to leave and play somewhere else... it was always just a matter of when.

2 - Few people thought Rio would ever be Captain material 3 years ago. (not the same scenario, but you can see how people's opinions of players can change - although it takes years of effort and actions for this to happen)

[SirManchester]

I've always thought of Ronaldo to be amongs the breed of new young players who fall into the glamour category - that is that he is playing moreso for himself than for his fans and is more concerned about his image (perhaps in the long run and history) than about current club concerns and related things.

The possibility of him leaving has always been there and not for a moment did I doubt he'll commit to the club for a longer time. We all have to face that possibility. I also think his comments today were a bit dissappointing but again not really surprising.

I'm glad I don't have that kind of attachment to him a lot of other fans have. There's the type of professional athlete he embodies and then there's someone like Rooney who I can comfortably see staying with us for a long time and quite frankly I don't see the same negotiations with him as with Ronaldo.

Even if Ronaldo does stay, it won't change my opinion of him and I'll simply be gratfeull that we'll have him for a few more years, is all.

[holytoledo]

This current saga bothers me more than the World Cup stuff a couple years ago.

This ego trip he is on with these quotes is disturbing.

From a talent stand point I hope he stays for a couple more seasons but from a personal standpoint I wouldn't be depressed if we took the world record transfer fee and then wouldn't have to be bothered with players with questionable allegiances putting themselves above the club every off season.

[Motterman]

I still think it's just immature contract negotiation tactics.

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.

[Dark Savante]

I've always thought the 'battle' to keep him would happen when he hit around 26 or so, much like Fergie, I thought this would be the time when women, marriage, babies, a change of pace and an interest in pursuing his dream would see us hit that inevitable crossroad.

BUT, I thought he himself would play ball and enjoy the shine whilst 'repaying' the manager and club's faith in him with decent service whilst regarded as an A1 player in world football. It may still happen this way, of course.

What I did not expect is for him to toy with us along the way and seemingly re-negotiate his contract every summer.

If he does stay and this happens again, it would be very hard not to regard him a mercenary or succubus. I feel we deserve better than all the ridiculous furore, which lends itself to the wild postulating by all parties surrounded by this shite.

Anywho, off to bed.

Night :)

[Invincible]

While Real Madleed have certainly played their usual part, Ronaldo did nothing to squash the rumors. We all know that he wants to play in Spain(probably Madrid), so it's a matter of when. What's funny is, the biggest problem I had with this whole saga was the issue of pride, rather than Ronaldo actually leaving. The idea that other clubs can lure away one of our top players in his prime absolutely infuriates me, but humans are shallow and whoever has the most glitter will have the most appeal. Madleed has truckloads of trophies and lots of sunshine, so all the rats want to scurry to the same hole. Whatever.

While he continues to shatter records and improve, I don't think we can't live without him. In fact, I think we'll just sign another promising youngster and one of our other young talents will pick up the slack, most likely Rooney. It's nice to have a player cutting inside from the wing and scoring but we will be just fine without him. His wing play isn't all that. His dribbling isn't all that. His finishing isn't all that but he has all those attributes rolled into one+strength and speed, and that's what makes him dangerous. We'll do just fine with someone who is good at just one or two of those things because we all have exceptional players in every one of those departments except maybe finishing.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

He's a cnut regardless of what happens.

[YOUNGSTARS87]

Good post thread starter.

This ego trip he is on with these quotes is disturbing.

When he has people like Queiroz saying he is better than the great Eusebio, can you blame him?

I agree though, that his ego is too big and unmanageable. However I'm sure once he gets what he wants (image rights and a hefty wage increase) he'll stop banging the rattler on his cage.

[johno]

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.

I am not defending Ronaldo's actions - they're classless, but its rather myopic of fans to say "this is how you repay us?" No, this is not how he repays us. He repaid the lack of faith with 2 absolutely stellar seasons.

Playing this game to get more money is a nasty thing, but its the kind of thing a club does all the time and the fans don't get too worked up about it.

Shit, there were barely 3 posts on Evra getting a raise to be making 55K a week. That's probably less than O'Shea and Fletcher. He's been the best LB we've had since Irwin for the last 2 seasons and we string him out and make him consider leaving before giving him a shit raise? That's incredible. No complaints about that though.

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 if you look at it in that regard its easier to relate to the players on this. The fact is, playing football is all Ronaldo will do to earn a living and the sport is where he draws his identity. If he sees another club as a chance to raise his profile and earn more money/have a greater appeal then that's really his choice.

For me, as long as his efforts on the pitch while he's representing Manchester United reflect all the hard work he puts in in practice I can't be too bothered that he's not a red through and through.

Shit, look at what the club did to Ruud! Forced out of the team because someone who'd been at the club barely 6 months looked like he could have carried the load that Ruud did for years. Ruud, out on his ass after all the goals he scored and passion he played with.

If the club can be ruthless why the hell can't the players be ruthless?

[Invincible]

Another point I wanted to add. As for the topic about Nani and Anderson possibly wanting to leave when Ronaldo leaves... I really don't think that would be the case. Nani strikes me as his own man. He had a tough life, basically having to play football in the streets and commute long distances to train etc(iirc) on his own, so I don't think a team mate leaving will be enough to rattle him, or even slightly concern him for that matter. I think he'll see at as his opportunity to shine and maybe become a legend in his own right. I expect him to ask for the #7 shirt as well.

Anderson as well. The guy's been basically providing for his family for a long time now, I don't think losing a team mate is going to cause him to be depressed or anything. He too, like Nani will see it as an opportunity to be the club's #1 star and I expect him to stay as well if/when Ronaldo does leave.

[sdotsom]

I'm quickly losing patience with the kid, to be honest. This ego trip he's on right now is quite sickening, and even if it's just a money ploy it's far too disrespectful. This whole bait-and-hook game he's playing with the United fans that have stuck with him, the management who fought to keep him, and his fellow teammates is ludicrous. I don't care if it's Jorge Mendes pulling the strings, Ronaldo could quash this shit in a heartbeat if its what he actually wanted.

At this point, if he goes then I want us to fleece the fook out of whoever it is that gets him. Gill and co better step it up and get us some $$$$$.

[Bronaldo]

I've said this in the other thread and i'll say it again

If the kid is going to act like a cnut and decided on his bloody future after we made him what he is today than he can fcuk right off to madrid or barcelona or wherever the hell his mother/grandfather/chest waxer wants him to play.

It's utter bull

Do you see this from a Messi or a Kaka? Hell Ronaldinho has shown more professionalism than this kid has.

[YOUNGSTARS87]

Do you see this from a Messi or a Kaka?

Kaka?

Oh yes, Kaka is much different. :rolleyes:

He just uses Madrid rumors to get a contract extension every 6 months while Cristiano just does it every 12. That's loyalty, huh? That great Kaka, his loyalty was to repeatedly tell the media that he'd go to Madrid if Madrid could reach a agreement with Milan. However won't force his way out because, Milan is ever so willing to repeatedly reconstruct his contract at his beckoning. :rolleyes:

I hate barca, but Messi gets much credit. The guy is one of the lowest paid on their squad. Do you hear him primadonna? no. Do you hear him go to the media looking for his contract to be quadrupled with image rights added? no.

[holytoledo]

Shit, look at what the club did to Ruud! Forced out of the team because someone who'd been at the club barely 6 months looked like he could have carried the load that Ruud did for years. Ruud, out on his ass after all the goals he scored and passion he played with.

If the club can be ruthless why the hell can't the players be ruthless?

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.

[Bronaldo]

Kaka?

Oh yes, Kaka is much different. :rolleyes:

He just uses Madrid rumors to get a contract extension every 6 months while Cristiano just does it every 12. That's loyalty, huh? That great Kaka, his loyalty was to repeatedly tell the media that he'd go to Madrid if Madrid could reach a agreement with Milan. However won't force his way out because, Milan is ever so willing to repeatedly reconstruct his contract at his beckoning. :rolleyes:

I hate barca, but Messi gets much credit. The guy is one of the lowest paid on their squad. Do you hear him primadonna? no. Do you hear him go to the media looking for his contract to be quadrupled with image rights added? no.

I never said Kaka was perfect, but he doesn't seemingly hold his club hostage.

He has far more reason to leave ATM than any big star. He carries his team, his team isn't even in CPL next year, his team is not taking the steps to improve and he would tear La Liga apart.

Messi is class when it comes to stuff like this. I can't ever see him leaving after what Barca did for him.

[LA. MAN UNITED]

He's mentally astray already. Even if he does stay, I'd lay odds we'll see more of the Ronaldo that was complaining to the refs while the ball was in play next season. The people close to him are blowing so much smoke up his ass right now, he probably doesnt know what to think. Leave SAF for a moment , and he turns schizofrenic with his "I love United" , "I don't know what is in the future" every other day pressers. Either way, I'm sick of this s**t ...

[littleman]

The ruthless thing is all one matter. Business is business, that's true. But squeezing every single bit of bling and being this anal about it is another. That was Rio a couple of years ago. That is Ronaldo now.

Of course players fight for their contracts.



Anyway, I'm okay with his leaving sooner or later. Preferably later because we're on an upwards curve. I basically agree with SirManc saying that he belongs to the glamour group of young players -- I don't think he really understands or feels connected with Manchester United at a fundamental level. This might sound ridiculous but he also seems much less involved with celebrations when other players score goals then when he does.. the degree of self-centeredness was most obvious to me when Rooney scored the last minute goal against AC Milan in the CL last year at home. But I do think he's changed for the better, especially in the latter half of this season.


Regardless, heart is heart. Mercs giving their all for each mission are respecting their profession; not their employees. Same for merc players and clubs.