Should Manchester United Sell Cristiano Ronaldo?
Rumours have surfaced that Cristiano Ronaldo – winger, Portuguese sensation, trickester and one of the reasons Ruud was shown the door on 7th May – has agreed to go to Real Madrid.
Manchester United made sure to refute the claims strongly, reiterating that Ronaldo was ‘under contract till 2010′ and only a ‘few months into a contract extension’ that was designed to keep him at Old Traffod instead of going somewhere else.
You can read what BBC Sport’s version of events here:
Ronaldo linked with Madrid Switch.
My issue here is not that Villar Mir has claimed contact with Ronaldo and an ‘agreement’ with Manchester United, or that Marca has attributed quotes to Ronaldo’s agent. This sort of thing happens, as it has with Arsene Wenger.
What worries me is that when push comes to shove, Manchester United will consider selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid – and that is a bad, bad decision.
The Glazers and David Gill wil listen to Ferguson’s evaluation that Ronaldo ‘is the future’, and they might even think that losing Ronaldo for United will mean that they are not the big club they once were, with our star players ‘moving on’. However, I’m worried that they will put more faith in the following:
1. Real Madrid will be willing to pay 20-25 million pounds for Ronaldo. As long as that deal involves a lot of cash up front, it is an excellent return for a player bought for 12 million 3 years ago.
2. Granted, Manchester United have spent a lot of time and money on him, but Ronaldo is still not a finished product. He needs to learn how to pass more and shoot better. United have yet to see a return from their investment in him, as his goals and moves have been spectacular but extremely inconsistent.
3. While Ronaldo will get better with time, United do not have the luxury of staying stuck in ‘build’ mode for another two years. Better to cash in on a player that promises much but delivers little.
4. Money from Ronaldo’s sale can be used to fund the purchase of either two strong midfielders or one star midfielder. If Manchester United fans were given the option to exchange a player like Diarra / Deco for Ronaldo, hands down 9 out of 10 they would choose to send Ronaldo out.
I don’t want Manchester United to lose Ronaldo. He is a good player and gives us a lot of options on both wings. And he is one of the reasons why United was able to end the season in 2nd place instead of 4th like Arsenal. In a perfect world Ronaldo would get better with time and we would want to keep him with us during that time.
But this is not a perfect world. Ruud van Nistelrooy should have been sold last season, when he would have fetched 25 million easy. This year we’ll be lucky to get 15. Ronaldo is not in the same position, but it’s no doubt that his value will skyrocket if he really is on the market. The United board will consider all options, and this very well could be their opportunity to make money (or fund transfers).
What if Ronaldo is sold? Park, Fletcher, Smith and Solksjaer – all four can play on the right wing. Not exactly heart-stopping for the opposition.
If Madrid are really in for Ronaldo, I hope United don’t sell him. I don’t want to see us lose a young player, especially when we’re so close to getting back on top.
What do you think? Will United go for the money or fight to keep Ronaldo?
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Football Transfers, Manchester United, Real Madrid
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nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo….RONALDO CAN BE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD….OK?
June 27th, 2006 @ 23:48let him go. we should have never sold becks and have missed him on the right with good crosses and free kicks. make the money on Ronaldo while we can. He is a show pony and we need money for some stability in the middle as well as a new striker.
June 28th, 2006 @ 02:28“If Manchester United fans were given the option to exchange a player like Diarra / Deco for Ronaldo, hands down 9 out of 10 they would choose to send Ronaldo out.”
I strongly disagree with that quote. I think most United fans would see Ronaldo as the most important player to keep at United after Rooney and certainly wouldn’t swap him for the overhyped Diarra, let alone a 29-year-old Deco. Nonsense.
He is a world-class talent, and will be a world-class player in time. Selling him would be a huge step backwards for United. If Ronaldo isnists on leaving, which I don’t see happening, then United should demand upwards of 35m for him. He is a potential marketing goldmine and will make Real Madrid tens of millions of pounds in commercial sales within a year or two. But we must not forget that Ronaldo is just one of several names to be linked with a Real Madrid president hopefull, along with Kaka, Leo Messi, Fabgregas and even Arsene Wenger.
June 28th, 2006 @ 05:02Ronaldo is only 20, he will be at his best around 24-25, don’t wanna see him at his best elswhere.
But i am also sick of his immature personality and the selfishness that he has. Hopefully it’ll go away.
I think when he is 24-25, take a look again
June 28th, 2006 @ 11:51Surprisingly, no statement has come from Ronaldo to deny these reports…
June 29th, 2006 @ 15:17I personally think Ronaldo’s departure will no affect us because we have potential replacements more so we c’d opt for keylon the young brazilian with that money plus a good mid fielder like carrick to go with.besides keylon is as good as ronaldo at that age better passing n more so younger. there for Ronaldo w’d not be a big blow with such options left with us to choose from.
June 30th, 2006 @ 15:01Cristiano is a truly world class talent
Poeple actually love to see him play and if sometimes the team carries him when he is off form, he is always capable of the unexpected and Yes, my god “entertains” – what United used to be about!
Fed up of watching journeymen footballers -loads of effort, little genuine skill
United should also be mindful and his marketing potential in the future
Most United fans knew Beckham was vastly over rated -execept set pieces and corners -couldn’t / can’t tackle, head, take a man on etc.,(only scored once or twice whole season for RMadrid)
July 1st, 2006 @ 05:35Bryan, you and many other fans need lo learn simple things like you cant replace a winger(ronaldo) with an attacking or defensive centre mid(kerlon and carrick)
July 2nd, 2006 @ 01:07yes ronaldo is a world class player of football.
July 2nd, 2006 @ 15:48But he will always be now branded as a disgrace to football for his antics in yesterdays match againt England. I am portuguese thru and thru and a thorough supporter of Sporting Lisbon (by the way, Joao Mountinho is the next big thing)but i believe that ronaldo is a stain on football’s tapestry and should be sold by Man United bcos english football will not let him play the same ever again due to pure scorn.
I believe Ronaldo will be forgiven in time, just like the fans forgave Beckham. By time Ronaldo will be good, anyway the chances are small that that specific president will win.
July 2nd, 2006 @ 17:46im livid with ronaldo, not so much after yesterday as it didnt seem like he did a great deal wrong. rooneys reputation got the better of him yesterday, and an atrocious decision by a corrupt referee and some really bad luck were his downfall, not ronaldo. but ronaldo has turned his back on the club after fergie had put so much faith in him, and rewarded him with contract extensions and pay rises. we made him who he is and it feels like he’s stabbed us in the back. if i were a betting man, i’d say fergie wont put up with him, take rooneys side, and get rid of him if he can. as becks found out, nobody is bigger than manchester united, especially not cristiano ronaldo. rooney is the future of united, and i dont think ronaldo likes it one bit (he was the man when he arrived, the new number 7, becks’s replacement). i think he’s definitely going to be off, and at great loss to utd. just make sure there is a replacement if he goes.
July 2nd, 2006 @ 21:47Put him on the market for £50million and let him wait
July 3rd, 2006 @ 17:52Listen I’m a Liverpool fan, but an England fan none the less. What CR did to Rooney is no gentlemanly act. I just wish that you do not get rid of him yet. Just play him a couple of times. He’s employed to do a job and must do that. Put him on and put the crap out of him as far as support is involved and maybe there will even be some opposing player that will give him a “good” serving of gentlemanly acts. I just wish further that England players start to realise that opponents seem to understand that the English can be easily provoked and sent off for silly stuff. I mean look at the past, Gazza, Beckham against Argentina and now Rooney. England must stop having players sent off uselessly. Ref wasn’t even going to show Rooney a yellow for that “foul” but he was provoked and the cow took the chance to show the red. I just wish the lesson is learnt once and for all.
July 3rd, 2006 @ 18:52Let him go. Its better not to see him and Rooney fight within the team. Put up a huge (50 million pound or so ) and use the money to get some good forwards and midfielders.
July 4th, 2006 @ 00:03Upfront I’m a Scouser but have always had respect if not affection for United. And when it’s our national team playing I want them to give their best no matter which club they play for. Ronaldo went into the England v Portugal game looking like he didn’t expect to be appearing in the premiership next season. He showed disrepect not only for Rooney in his wind-ups but also for Neville and Ferdinand who were probably just as devasted at having to play 10 against 11 and then going out of the competition. And before you give the Scousers stick for losing it because they missed the penalties SG & JC at least had the balls to stand up and be counted. With the right 11 players it would never have been necessary in the first place – but that’s another issue. Undoubtedly Ronaldo is a gifted player but his petty gamesmanship demeans him and if I was a Man. Utd. supporter I’d be glad to the see the back of him. There’s a world of difference in going over easily in the box (everyone does it) and dleiberately feigning injury or demanding that opponents are carded or dismissed. If it happens for a player from my own club then it embarasses me as it spoils the game.
July 4th, 2006 @ 00:31Players must realise that when they’re on the world stage every move is watched by not only the fans but fellow professionals and referees. I think Arjen Robben might have had more success with his appeals in the World Cup if he had not already built a reputation with his feigned injury from Pepe Reina. Personally I would say keep Ronaldo but don’t give him any first team games until the end of his contract. (Remember the Italian’s gratitude to Ahn Jung-Hwan the South Korean player on loan to Perugia who put them out in 2002). However, with a Scottish manager and American owners I don’t think that will happen. United would be well rid of Ronaldo, it will be better for their team morale and there are other players that could fill the role. The Premiership should retain it’s integrity as a physical but ultimately fair league. Foreign players are welcome to bring their skills but we don’t want to adopt the more unsavoury aspects of of latin futbol.
According to Protuguese press this morning Christiano Ronaldo confirms he is determined to leave Old Trafford for a Spanish Club (expected to be Barcelona), whilst other sources have suggested it is in a massive contract deal involving THREE other players, two from United and two from Barcelona with the contract value expected to be worth in excess of £50million to both parties. Suggestions were that United have followed up previous interest in Ronaldinho after he was close to signing for the club just 36 months ago ruined by Peter Kenyon(now of Chelsea) over a reputed £100,000.00 squabble (peanuts in terms of such giants). The deal would almost certainly include the move of Ruud Van Nistelrooy along with a cash supplement from United to boot. Manchester United and Barcelona are yet to make statements whilst an insider from one of the clubs is reported to have seen various documents that would verify the mentioned claims.
My personal view is that Manchester Untited would do well to complete a deal even with the move of C. Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy even for the single talent of Ronaldinho who would certainly bolster United lack of creation that we came accustom to in the last season
July 10th, 2006 @ 18:13i think they shouldnt sell him cos they need him he is a excellent player and i hope he stays
August 3rd, 2006 @ 02:52hello
October 22nd, 2006 @ 19:24You are the best football player on the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2007 @ 20:10please releas christiano ronaldo he want to go to madrid to spend the rest of his life coz he is fed up with english football
January 26th, 2007 @ 20:01please please man u do not give ronaldo away he is the best player on the team and he is the sexiest! i support man u big style and hardly miss a match but if you sell ronaldo 4 money thats not fair believe me you will loose alot of your fans! trust me! don’t go ronaldo! i love you xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
February 3rd, 2007 @ 01:21I am realy happy that ronaldo want to go to real madrid.
January 1st, 2008 @ 08:34Ronaldo is 22 years old, he has a whole lot more growing to do as a player and as a person, and further more he is a quality asset to the team, as he provides a good foundation in mid-field, he’s an excellent striker/forward, and he takes spot kicks like an experienced player, not to mention his excellent skill with the ball, and most of all he is the leading goal scorer in the premiership and champions league, to sell a player of his caliber for money would be a loss to club, Man U Forever!
April 15th, 2008 @ 18:03omfg he cnt leave manchester united hes the best and fittest football player ever i luv him
May 19th, 2008 @ 18:53noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ronaldo should stay at the best team in the world man.u. stove real madrid lol
June 21st, 2008 @ 00:16DON’T SELL RONALDO!!!
July 11th, 2008 @ 11:02HE’S THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD!!!
Ronaldo shouldn’t leave Manu thats the only place for him. He took manu to glory and now he’s quitting the team!
July 12th, 2008 @ 19:13ronaldo shold saty with man u he is the best pleyer
July 13th, 2008 @ 20:59