Cristiano Ronaldo

[Theon]

Impossible scenario, but if De Gea was against the move and wanted to continue playing for United, yes.

Fair enough, that is a pretty extreme view. I agree with your opinion on how the club should be run but in cetain circumstances think it's justfied in departing from that.

Hypothetically speaking this is just ridiculous there is no comparing the two and Real Madrid would never let him go that easily

Eh? He has just answered it you muppet and it's a controversial answer. Of course it would never happen but that wasn't the point, none of the bollocks on the last few pages will fecking happen.

The point is whether this 'pincipled' approach that Brwned and Hectic have spoke about has any limits, obviously for Hectic it doesn't. Even with an extreme example such as De Gea for Ronaldo. I reckon most fans would disagree and snap Madrids hand off, regardless of De Gea wanting to stay.

 

[crappycraperson]

No question Sir Alex would jump at the chance to bring him in, I just think it's absurd to believe he'd even entertain the suggestion of including De Gea in any deal. Sir Alex made him the second most expensive keeper in history - he clearly has a huge amount of faith in him.

I am not sure that matters. Fergie sold 28m Veron after what? 2 seasons? He clearly put a lot of faith in him as well but sold him when he saw fit. Fergie loves his forwards too much, I personally don't think he will ever say no to signing back Ronaldo no matter what the cost. It will be the club and Glazers who may have a problem with finances involved.

 

[Brwned]

3rd actually. Neuer cost about a million more. Point still stands. Just a little nitpicking.

Never knew that, good to know!

I understand what you're saying, but carrying on this hypothetical would you still disagree if it was a straight swap with no transfer fee?

So De Gea for Ronaldo.

You can go back to the Cantona signing to know how Sir Alex would react, IMO. Leeds say they want Irwin - he just rejects it outright. He doesn't say I'll give you Irwin if you give us Cantona and a bit of cash, because selling one of our core players - even if he is inferior - just isn't in question. We've built this squad step-by-step and we're going to do build on that core, not take it apart and patch it up again. It's fantasy stuff, it's just not how you build a successful team.

 

[Nighteyes]

Also, those examples are different, as Fowler, Carragher etc never actually went and played for Everton.

yep De Gea not only played for Atletico but had success there and went on to win a European trophy. I don't see him moving to Real, if Barca came calling then maybe...

 

[Orton]

Like Liverpool fan Ole refused to play for us .. oh wait

Or Everton fan Carragher for Liverpool

Or countless other such examples.

Madrid is one of the two biggest spanish clubs about, any Spanish player would want to play for them. If Ronaldo being a Portuguese player was going ga ga for playing for them, I find it hard to believe a top level spanish player won't want to move.

I can't think of a single example where a spanish international turned down Madrid or Barca. Torres? Were either of Madrid or Barca in for him ever?

I should qualify my statement by adding that I don't think he will go there for being a back up to Casillas. But if he was to replace him as number 1, I really can't fathom him not wanting to move.

So every Spanish player ever would want to play for Barca/Real, what's the point then? He's an Atletico lad, he wont be wanting to move to Real Madrid. Why would he? It's like a United player and fan wanting to move to City or Liverpool. It's something that rarely happens. Van Persie is Dutch, he didn't support Arsenal. Alan Smith played for a relegated Leeds side. Of course he had to move.

De Gea happens to play for United now, biggest club in the world arguably. He has no reason at all to ever move to Barca or Real.

 

[crappycraperson]

Fair enough, that is a pretty extreme view. I agree with your opinion on how the club should be run but in cetain circumstances think it's justfied in departing from that.



Eh? He has just answered it you muppet and it's a controversial answer. Of course it would never happen but that wasn't the point, none of the bollocks on the last few pages will fecking happen.

The point is whether this 'pincipled' approach that Brwned and Hectic have spoke about has any limits, obviously for Hectic it doesn't. Even with an extreme example such as De Gea for Ronaldo. I reckon most fans would disagree and snap Madrids hand off, regardless of De Gea wanting to stay.

I am not sure we already run like that. May be many here don't remember but there was mass hysteria on this forum when we signed Tevez and Rossi left. A good number of posters thought we were essentially forcing Rossi's hand by signing Tevez so we were dead against that signing for similar reasons.

The RVP Welbeck scenario is some what similar as well. I am not sure how any one can argue that signing RVP has not limited Welbeck's chances this season, something that may even halt his progress.

 

[crappycraperson]

So every Spanish player ever would want to play for Barca/Real, what's the point then? He's an Atletico lad, he wont be wanting to move to Real Madrid. Why would he? It's like a United player and fan wanting to move to City or Liverpool. It's something that rarely happens. Van Persie is Dutch, he didn't support Arsenal. Alan Smith played for a relegated Leeds side. Of course he had to move.

De Gea happens to play for United now, biggest club in the world arguably. He has no reason at all to ever move to Barca or Real.

Same was the case with Ronaldo, he still wanted to move. He was not even Spanish.

As I said I am not aware of a single case where a top spanish player refused a move to the two big spanish clubs. A spanish keeper turning down a chance to be number 1 at Madrid? Just can't see that happening.. sorry.

 

[Brwned]

I am not sure that matters. Fergie sold 28m Veron after what? 2 seasons? He clearly put a lot of faith in him as well but sold him when he saw fit. Fergie loves his forwards too much, I personally don't think he will ever say no to signing back Ronaldo no matter what the cost. It will be the club and Glazers who may have a problem with finances involved.

Veron wanted to leave, we didn't try to sell him.

"I had talked to Ferguson and he had told me he couldn't guarantee my spot in the first XI; that I had to earn it. And it was logical. But I told [my wife] this and when Chelsea became interested, she thought I needed the move, because they wanted me to play. And I didn't think it through."

 

[Amar__]

Why would we offload a goalkeeper who actually wants to play for us, for a player coming back who once left us? What kind of terrible message would that send to the squad and our attitude towards players. Plus, as it happens, he's potentially brilliant and we know from experience just how important it is to have a solid goalkeeper, and he's extremely young too. Ronaldo is also a considerably better player than either Welbeck or Hernandez, I wouldn't swap them for him either, as you know, they want to play for United and already do...

It's not even about assessing what we gain and what we lose in terms of quality by signing Ronaldo. How are young players with very high potential going to perceive us in the future if they think we will willingly offload them, despite wanting to play for United, for players who left us before? I can see the argument for Ronaldo as his quality is unquestionable, but it's at too great a cost. I'd be completely against the idea and I'm sure we wouldn't entertain such a deal anyway.

Completely agree with your post Hectic.

 

[Scarlett Dracarys]

Fair enough, that is a pretty extreme view. I agree with your opinion on how the club should be run but in cetain circumstances think it's justfied in departing from that.



Eh? He has just answered it you muppet and it's a controversial answer. Of course it would never happen but that wasn't the point, none of the bollocks on the last few pages will fecking happen.

The point is whether this 'pincipled' approach that Brwned and Hectic have spoke about has any limits, obviously for Hectic it doesn't. Even with an extreme example such as De Gea for Ronaldo. I reckon most fans would disagree.

So why get so worked up even if its hypothetically speaking calm down everyone is just expressing their opinion. And I didn't see Hectic's reply before I posted mine. Realistically ( are we allowed to be realistic ?) Real Madrid will hold onto Ronaldo and him not signing his contract merely has to do with him wanting a better deal. It has nothing to do with him being unhappy at Madrid etc. I am also inclined to agree with SAF on this

"I'd love to see that, but it's fanciful thinking really," Ferguson said when asked if Ronaldo could return to United.

"First of all, how much it would take to get him from Real Madrid? And secondly, I don't think there's any chance they would want to sell him anyway.

"But you never know. I don't know when his contract finishes.

"He may want to go to another club at some point in his career and I'd hope he would want to come here. But that's a long way off."

 

[Theon]

I am not sure we already run like that. May be many here don't remember but there was mass hysteria on this forum when we signed Tevez and Rossi left. A good number of posters thought we were essentially forcing Rossi's hand by signing Tevez so we were dead against that signing for similar reasons.

The RVP Welbeck scenario is some what similar as well. I am not sure how any one can argue that signing RVP has not limited Welbeck's chances this season, something that may even halt his progress.

Yeah no doubt, which was the main reason I didn't want to sign Van Persie.

Like I said, I agree with the general view that the club shouldn't be run that way, but it isn't an absolute rule IMO and in certain circumstances you could depart from that. With your RVP example most thought it was a price worth paying, despite halting the progress of a youth team prospect and local lad.

 

[Deleted 20801]

Same was the case with Ronaldo, he still wanted to move. He was not even Spanish.

As I said I am not aware of a single case where a top spanish player refused a move to the two big spanish clubs. A spanish keeper turning down a chance to be number 1 at Madrid? Just can't see that happening.. sorry.

That is a ridiculous argument, especially when you are using it to defend the below comment:

The funny thing about the whole debate for me is that if Madrid were to come in for De Gea, he would most probably want out even more vehemently than Ronaldo did.

Basically, it was complete rubbish. You have no idea how De Gea would react to Madrid's interest, none at all, however we already know that Ronaldo wanted to go there from very early on his career. De Gea hasn't mentioned a word about Madrid or another club, what makes you think he'd want to go there more so than Ronaldo who made it publically known it was his dream destination?

 

[Devil may care]

That's not the point and van Persie's not remotely the same. If we had swapped Hernández for van Persie then it'd be the same. It's not about whether Ronaldo is a better player than De Gea or if van Persie is a better player than Hernández - they are - it's about the knock-on effect it would have if we were of the opinion key young players are expendable. Top young players like De Gea want to come here because they get taken care of and because we're committed to improving them as players (and people). They're not just expendable assets on a video game that you can chop and change as you like. Yes they also comes because of the chance to win trophies and because they're well paid but what often tips it in our favour is how Sir Alex develops young players. You haven't given a second's thought to how this would impact De Gea you've just decided you want Ronaldo here and that's l that matters.

Look at it this way: you're 20 years old and you're about to make what is perhaps the most important decision in your career. You're offered the chance to move to one of the most prestigious organisations in the world under a manager you hugely respect but on the other hand it would involve moving country, learning a new language and testing yourself in ways you can't really imagine. It's a huge change and is a real show of faith that it's the right place for you to be. After a settling in period you've generally performed well and proven you were the worth the effort it took to bring you in and you're starting to feel like an important asset. All of a sudden the club tells you "well, actually, we've decided that you're progressing as we expected but that's not good enough for us and even though you've put in so much effort to learn the language and acclimatise to your surroundings we're going to ship you back to Spain because someone better's turned up". Don't you think that shows a lack of respect? Do you really think that's somewhere other people in similar situations would want to go to if that's how they're going to be treated? I think it sends out completely the wrong message. I've no doubt thousands of organisations act this way and I've no doubt some clubs - like Madrid, see the Robinho fiasco - do the same but for a club/organisation that prides itself on looking after its players/employees it just looks a bit ridiculous, it makes a complete mockery of the idea.

It wouldn't be like we'd be throwing De Gea to some club in Russia or something, he'd be going to one of the other top 3 clubs in the world.
You make some good points on an idealistic way to run things but sometimes there are exceptions and I think Ronaldo is such an exception.

 

[Theon]

So why get so worked up even if its hypothetically speaking calm down everyone is just expressing their opinion. And I didn't see Hectic's reply before I posted mine. Realistically ( are we allowed to be realistic ?) Real Madrid will hold onto Ronaldo and him not signing his contract merely has to do with him wanting a better deal. It has nothing to do with him being unhappy at Madrid etc. I am also inclined to agree with SAF on this

What? Seriously, I am lost.

I wasn't getting worked up in the slightest, I've not been involved in this thread because I couldn't give a shit about it. I thought Hectic's and Brwned's view was interesting in a 'completely unrelated to Ronaldo kind of way', so asked that hypothetical to see how extreme the view was.

You barge and start crying because it's 'ridiculous', completely missing the point that that was the whole intention.

 

[Revan]

Seriously I don't think that we should bid more than 60m for him and De Gea must not be part of the deal. I loved Ronaldo but he decided to leave, now if he wants to come back it should be in our terms. sacrifing the best young keeper in the world who can give us another 15 years of service, also knowing our attackin potential is a little retarded, even if it's for Ronaldo.

 

[kps88]

The point is whether this 'pincipled' approach that Brwned and Hectic have spoke about has any limits, obviously for Hectic it doesn't.

That's pretty much the crux of it. I personally feel they are exaggerating the effects and exceptions can be made. I don't think our entire foundation and appeal will come crashing down if we made an exception for a very special talent. It's a one time thing. Young players aren't going to get scared off because we traded in this one player one time (to Madrid no less!) for one of the best players in the world. They will still want to come play for United unless we make a habit out of it, which we won't.

 

[Scarlett Dracarys]

That's pretty much the crux of it. I personally feel they are exaggerating the effects and exceptions can be made. I don't think our entire foundation and appeal will come crashing down if we made an exception for a very special talent. It's one time thing. Young players aren't going to get scared off because we traded in this one player one time for one of the best players in the world. They will still want to come play for United unless we make a habit out of it, which we won't.

Some might even love the opportunity to play on the same field with him

 

[Gio]

In this clusterfeck of improbabilities, another one to consider is Iker Casillas is only 31 and surely has a few years left at the top.

 

[crappycraperson]

That is a ridiculous argument, especially when you are using it to defend the below comment:



Basically, it was complete rubbish. You have no idea how De Gea would react to Madrid's interest, none at all, however we already know that Ronaldo wanted to go there from very early on his career. De Gea hasn't mentioned a word about Madrid or another club, what makes you think he'd want to go there more so than Ronaldo who made it publically known it was his dream destination?

I am not sure there were any instances of Ronaldo longing to be at Madrid before they came in for him, the lifelong Madrid fan thing was mostly brought on as an excuse IMO.

But in any case this debate if futile ATM. If De Gea does fulfill his potential and becomes spanish no.1, I can see Madrid coming in for him, so we will come back to this if and when that happens.

 

[Andrew~]

You can go back to the Cantona signing to know how Sir Alex would react, IMO. Leeds say they want Irwin - he just rejects it outright. He doesn't say I'll give you Irwin if you give us Cantona and a bit of cash, because selling one of our core players - even if he is inferior - just isn't in question. We've built this squad step-by-step and we're going to do build on that core, not take it apart and patch it up again. It's fantasy stuff, it's just not how you build a successful team.

Excellent example. This swap for De Gea would never happen. SAF wouldn't entertain such nonsense.

 

[Deleted 20801]

I am not sure there were any instances of Ronaldo longing to be at Madrid before they came in for him, the lifelong Madrid fan thing was mostly brought on as an excuse IMO.

But in any case this debate if futile ATM. If De Gea does fulfill his potential and becomes spanish no.1, I can see Madrid coming in for him, so we will come back to this if and when that happens.

He mentioned it in several interviews, as did Fergie not too long ago when he said it wasn't a shock that Ronaldo wanted to go, given it was his childhood dream club. Unlike De Gea, who hasn't said a word about Madrid. The point is the same, there is nothing at all to suggest he would desire Madrid anymore than Ronaldo actually did.

 

[jojojo]

Sorry to spoil the flow - I've just come to post his press conference remarks. Using the Real Madrid site translation - http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satell..._and_I_always_give_my_all_for_this_shirt_.htm

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared for the media in the press room at Real Madrid’s Football City. The Whites’ Portuguese forward wished Real Madrid fans a happy new year and spoke about his role in the team: "I feel very good. I hope I can give my best and be better than last year. The truth is that I feel more comfortable with the fans, not only in the Bernabéu, where I've always felt appreciated, but I also feel a lot of support when we play away too. The fans are great, I feel very happy and I try to contribute in the best way I can, which is by playing well and giving my all for this shirt and for Real Madrid".

The Portuguese international also analysed the remainder of the season and the match on Sunday against Real Sociedad: "We want a perfect start to the year. Our opponents are on a very good run of form and we want to start the year better than last year. We are favourites and we must win no matter what. The league is tough, but it is still mathematically possible for us to win and we have to keep the belief until the end. It will be an uphill struggle. In the Champions League we are playing against a great team. It will be difficult to win, but possible. In the cup we have to win at home and we are favourites against Celta. We have to believe we can win".

When asked about his Real Madrid contract renewal, the Whites’ striker said: "That has already been spoken about and I will not talk about my renewal any more. It's not important, what is important is that we win the upcoming matches. We will fight for the league, the Champions League and the cup. The important thing is to win and be together, both the team and the fans. I feel good and want to find the right way to keep winning and improving in the league, the Champions League and the cup and I feel that the fans are with me and that's the most important thing. I could give a more objective response and considering that the press conference is going well I'm not going to complicate things now. Cristiano Ronaldo, as he always has, will always give his all for this club".

When asked about for reasons for why the team is not performing as well as last season, Cristiano Ronaldo said: "There are many factors. When things do not go your way, it snowballs and gets tougher and tougher. We dropped points that we shouldn’t have and that affected us. Sometimes it happens in football and we need to be ready to give a better showing of ourselves. We are not on good form, but we have to face up to it. This year will be very good, we are training hard and well".

About Florentino Perez’s words at the press lunch, in which the president of Real Madrid said that tension was not good and those that feel it don’t perform, he said: "It's tough and it is normal to be more tense when a team that is used to winning is not playing as well as they can. We can see it, but these things happen in life and in football. We have to sort it out with hard work, solidarity and dealing with everything along the way. 2013 will be a very exciting year and we will improve a lot".

The Real Madrid forward praised the job that Mourinho has done whilst in charge of the team and spoke about his coach’s future: "It depends on his situation and that of the club. I would love it if he stays and the way he works is suited to a top club like this. I think he will stay, but I do not know. Everyone decides how they want to live their own life".

When asked about the Champions League round of 16 match against Manchester United, his former club, he was explicit: "I have a lot of warm feelings for a team that has meant a lot for me in my career. The people that are there know that and I have many friends and I think fondly of the fans, but I play for Real Madrid now and I have to win and give my best for this club. I'll try to give my best, but with the feeling of playing against a team that I really like".

Cristiano Ronaldo was very candid when asked about the possibility of winning the Ballon d'Or on Monday: "I'm not going to lie. I would love to win it, really love it. But life does not end if I don’t win it. It's no big deal and won’t affect my personality or my desire to win at all. The important thing is the team. We won the league and the Super Cup and I'm happy. This isn’t up to me. I'll be the same before or after".

In reference to Casillas being a substitute in Malaga, he said: "In football nothing surprises me. He is very good and is working very well, like the other goalkeepers. The substitutes are coaching decisions, the coach controls that and we have to respect his decisions".

Finally, the Portuguese spoke about Pepe’s statements in Portugal, in which he said that the Portuguese players felt persecuted: "He's my friend and we talk every day. He wasn’t talking about anything to do with the club or Real Madrid, but about something outside the club. When we play away sometimes I feel it too that the atmosphere is more charged in that regard. We feel a little sad about that, but among the players in the dressing room and with the fans the atmosphere is great and we are all treated perfectly. That shows how great Real Madrid is".

 

[Snow]

His game face is back on. That means Messi will be even better in 2013.

 

[Proud_Lyon]

His game face is back on. That means Messi will be even better in 2013.

I guess he will try to beat his record then??? Terrifying thought!!!

 

[MrMojo]

Excellent example. This swap for De Gea would never happen. SAF wouldn't entertain such nonsense.

Ronaldo and a pre United Cantona are very different propositions, one is much more enticing than the other in my opinion.

It wouldn't be a pleasant deal to do but I think the manager would at least be more tempted than some believe.

 

[Snow]

I guess he will try to beat his record then??? Terrifying thought!!!

He'll just be a step ahead of Ronaldo. If Ronaldo improves, so will he. So if Ronaldo improves this year then Messi will naturally beat the record or at least come close (if he manages to stay fit). We'll see a drop in form in 14/15 season after the WC because they surely will be somewhat fatigued at the start of that season.

 

[Proud_Lyon]

Ronaldo and a pre United Cantona are very different propositions, one is much more enticing than the other in my opinion.

It wouldn't be a pleasant deal to do but I think the manager would at least be more tempted than some believe.

To be honest, I would prefer to liken the the period where we bought RVP to when we bought Cantona. These are exceptional players and they decided to come and play for their rivals. I can also imagine the same thing happening where RVP will actually help us to win the Premier League. Sorry, but no Ronaldo is needed when we have the likes of Rooney, Hernandez and RVP who can do the job. We have a dodgy defence at the moment but our strikers have proved that they can all contribute to the team. If one team scores 2 goals, we score 3, if they score 3, we score 4 goals. I love matches like that where the match is close where any team can win it. So, apart from Cantona, I believe that Sir Alex has pulled off a veritable coup in the transfer market and it is paying dividends. Why change a winning team?

 

[Snow]

I didn't want to partake in this hypothetical discussion but my two cents are that I agree with Brwned pretty much. A swap deal is out of the question. It's a ridiculous notion.

United don't do business that way.
DDG wouldn't go. Any one player not wanting to take part would crush this type of deal.
Casillas is 31. Why would they want DDG just yet?
If he were to go there it would be in his prime for big money (or end of contract money) when Casillas is calling it quits.

Such a weird discussion because the hypothetical deal is so specific. More likely that United would get him back for 81m quid.

 

[Proud_Lyon]

He'll just be a step ahead of Ronaldo. If Ronaldo improves, so will he. So if Ronaldo improves this year then Messi will naturally beat the record or at least come close (if he manages to stay fit). We'll see a drop in form in 14/15 season after the WC because they surely will be somewhat fatigued at the start of that season.

I see what you are trying to say, and I agree, but since Messi runs at least 1.7 kilometres per match, he is hardly burning himself out. Hence the reason why he is capable of playing so many matches. Ronaldo could come to us, he could stay at Madrid but the result stays the same, Messi will continue to win the Ballon D'Or because it looks as though he loves a challenge and as long as Ronaldo scores one goal, Messi will always try to double that and more often than not, he does, as this season is showing us already.

 

[Proud_Lyon]

I didn't want to partake in this hypothetical discussion but my two cents are that I agree with Brwned pretty much. A swap deal is out of the question. It's a ridiculous notion.

United don't do business that way.
DDG wouldn't go. Any one player not wanting to take part would crush this type of deal.
Casillas is 31. Why would they want DDG just yet?
If he were to go there it would be in his prime for big money (or end of contract money) when Casillas is calling it quits.

Such a weird discussion because the hypothetical deal is so specific. More likely that United would get him back for 81m quid.

We don't often see eye to eye Snow, but I agree with you. I would prefer to keep a young backbone and to be honest, it is Sir Alex that is holding all the cards, he is the one capable of calling the shots, and not Mourinho, not Ronaldo and not Perez. As long as the Glazers don't interfere, it would be great. I will hold my hands up and say I am not De Geas greatest fan, but goalkeepers get better over a period of time, and it would be a disgrace should we allow someone of De Geas age go just like that for a quick fix. I recognise Ronaldos abilities, but I prefer to have a long-term solution rather than a short-term. If De Gea is willing to sign another contract in the near future then that would be brilliant for us. What is best for us is long-term and not short-term.

 

[Snow]

He runs at least 10km per game yes. Players will tire. It's only natural. He didn't score in Copa America, Argentina did poorly. In the first 10 games of the 11/12 season there were 5 games where he didn't score either. Unusual for Messi. Wasn't surprised since it were 2 summers in a row where he participated in an international tournament. After that you'll start with a 90% Messi.
In 10/11 Ronaldo scored once in the first 7 games. People were talking about how poor he was at the start of this season as well. Takes an even more of a toll on Ronaldo because of his ankle because he's mandated to rest it for at least 4 weeks straight per year which means his pre-season, during international tournament years, can't start until August.

Players most commonly get injured because of overuse. That's how strains are most likely to happen (besides returning too soon from a strain). It's almost abnormal how few injuries Messi has suffered in the past few years. He doesn't play with anything swollen like so many players do. I say almost abnormal because there is a guy here and there that's the same (Zanetti).

 

[Proud_Lyon]

He runs at least 10km per game yes. Players will tire. It's only natural. He didn't score in Copa America, Argentina did poorly. In the first 10 games of the 11/12 season there were 5 games where he didn't score either. Unusual for Messi. Wasn't surprised since it were 2 summers in a row where he participated in an international tournament. After that you'll start with a 90% Messi.
In 10/11 Ronaldo scored once in the first 7 games. People were talking about how poor he was at the start of this season as well. Takes an even more of a toll on Ronaldo because of his ankle because he's mandated to rest it for at least 4 weeks straight per year which means his pre-season, during international tournament years, can't start until August.

Players most commonly get injured because of overuse. That's how strains are most likely to happen (besides returning too soon from a strain). It's almost abnormal how few injuries Messi has suffered in the past few years. He doesn't play with anything swollen like so many players do. I say almost abnormal because there is a guy here and there that's the same (Zanetti).

After watching a programme on Messi, out of the 10 kilometres he does per match, he runs about 1.7 kilometres, the rest he walks around just observing. So, not only does he conserve energy, but he is around the middle just observing the opposition, he is being observant of his surroundings. This is why he is like he is, the excellent player that he is.

 

[Relevated]

His game face is back on. That means Messi will be even better in 2013.

the two players complete each other.

 

[MichaelS]

The idea of Rooney, RVP and Ronaldo upfront

 

[Eyepopper]

Utd fans discussing the possibility of Ronaldo coming back is best summed up by this clip

 

[Keltoi]

Utd fans discussing the possibility of Ronaldo coming back is best summed up by this clip

 

[Ole'sbodyguard]

The cantona example with Leeds is not the best way to demonstrate that point. The way the Eric signing has been explained Fergie asked about Eric after Wilkinson had phoned and inquired about Irwin and got told where to go. It's not as if we had strategically gone for him with a sustained bid. Eric was the best about in mid-season when we needed abit of inspiration and were low on strikers with Dublin injured.

I've never had Fergie down as a chancer but the Eric signing seemed to just come from Wilkinson making contact and Fergie remembering Bruce and Pallister's views on his ability. The transfer came out of the blue and the rest is history. The fact Eric was such a huge success just adds to his mystique but it's hard to think Fergie earmarked him as someone he was desperate to get, more like Wilkinson, in his infinite wisdom, was desperate to get rid. We were after David Hirst with the big money and drew a blank with huge bids for the time.

Better example is the rumours behind Shearer who Fergie clearly wanted very much for about five years. When we trying to buy Shearer from Blackburn they apparently asked for Scholes in part exchange and big money. Fergie knocked them back straight and would only make a cash or a different player exchange deal.

The only player exchange deal I can remember us doing is Cole plus money and Gillespie. It's not something we ever seem to do.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

I hope his welcome back to OT is so overwhelming that he gets chocked up and bottles the game big time.

Real lose, United goes all the way, and Ronaldo forces Real to sell him back to us at an uncredibly low amount.

 

[moses]

Brwned is right, some of ye need to get some perspective.

Maybe if we hit a slump in 20 years he can come back and manage us, and be your King Kev/Kenny style messiah.

 

[SteveJ]

'Ronaldo said he was also looking forward to meeting with his old club in the Champions League, with Manchester United visiting the Bernabéu in the last 16.

"I still have great feeling of friendship and love for them, they're a team that have done a lot for my career. The fans know me well and I have a lot of friends there that I keep close to my heart.

"But now I am defending Real Madrid's colours. It's a bit of a sad feeling I guess, but I want to score, and for us to win, and that would make everything better."'