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| Thursday August 07, 2008 | Manchester United Fan Forum |
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| Current League Table |
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| I fancied new challenge - Ronaldo | Posted by Bill on Thu Aug 07 @ 13:30 GMT |
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed it was Manchester United's Champions League success last season which sparked his desire to join Real Madrid.The Portuguese winger has confirmed he will remain at Old Trafford for next season at least. He had previously made it clear he favoured a move to Spain, which created the most high-profile transfer saga of the summer. Ronaldo revealed the chance to be nearer to his family in Portugal was one factor pulling him towards the Spanish capital, and that in winning the Champions League title he had achieved everything possible in his five years with United. He told Portuguese newspaper Publico: "After we'd won the Champions League, I felt that in five years I had helped win everything there was to win. "We'd won the Premier League twice and I'd won a host of individual awards, including the best goalscorer in the Premier League, Champions League and in Europe. So, I felt that maybe I needed a new challenge. "I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought this could be the right moment. Manchester United and Real are probably the two biggest clubs in the world and it would never be an easy decision to make." Ronaldo was adamant the chance to be the world's most expensive player and receive a wage increase at Madrid was not an issue. "I knew that there would always someone who'd say that my main concern was making more money," he said. "Others would insist that my vanity couldn't resist being linked to the biggest transfer fee of all time at the age of 23. "Of course I proud to see my work recognised, but none of this had any major effect on what I wanted. In fact, if it was just a question of money, I would never leave Manchester United." Ronaldo is confident he will not get a bad reception from United fans. "It's possible but I hope it doesn't happen," he said. "I know I'm a good professional, I know that no-one's harder on me than myself and that's never going to change, under any circumstances. "The high point of my career was winning the Champions League. No-one will ever erase that from my memory, in the same way that no-one will ever erase the fact that I did it in a Manchester United shirt. "What I said publicly, which was maybe a little naive, I take total responsibility for." teamtalk.com | |
| Martin thrives on attacking style | Posted by Bill on Thu Aug 07 @ 13:30 GMT |
Peterborough's Russell Martin believes that club's display in the friendly defeat to Manchester United bodes well for the upcoming season.The defender scored an own goal in the 2-0 defeat but after seeing United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak make several fine saves believes Darren Ferguson's men will be in the goals. He said: "The fans will have seen over pre-season that some of our attacking football has been frightening. "The speed which we attack at with the front four or five is exciting to watch. "It's been great to come into a side where the gaffer just wants to play football and get the ball wide and attack as that's a big part of my game. "We created a lot of good chances against a strong Manchester United side so that bodes well for life in League One." teamtalk.com | |
| Schuster Respects Ronaldo Decision | Posted by Bill on Thu Aug 07 @ 13:30 GMT |
The Spanish champions have been involved in a persistent and very public pursuit of Ronaldo all summer. At one point United even reported Real to FIFA, such was their annoyance with officials at the Bernabeu. However, the affair came to an end on Wednesday with Ronaldo announcing he is set to stay with the Premier League and European Champions for one more season at least. "You have to respect his decision," admitted Schuster. "He was free to do what he wanted and it's a shame that he isn't coming to us because he's a player who would really have improved this great group. "But hey, it doesn't matter. We've got a great group to get started on an important league campaign and fight for all the objectives we've set. "It's a decision we have to accept." Last week the German coach had bemoaned the fact that his club had spent the summer chasing Ronaldo at the expense of seeking out other signings. On Monday Madrid made their first, and according to Real president Ramon Calderon "possibly last", signing of the summer with the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart. Now Schuster admits the club will have to do the best they can with the players at their disposal. "We've already discussed the fact that if we focused too much on Cristiano Ronaldo and hoped for a lot then we could have a problem, especially if what's happening now happened, if he didn't come," he continued in Spanish newspaper Marca. "Now we've signed Van der Vaart and in three months we'll have a new signing in the shape of (Wesley) Sneijder (who is injured until November). "There's no need now to panic and say we should sign such and such because we really only need players who can improve this group. "And for a team like Real Madrid that's difficult." Seemingly less concerned by Ronaldo's non-arrival was Real captain Raul. The Madrid number seven was confident the squad already in place was capable of competing for honours, adding that now the club should just "get on with it". "Cristiano has said it all now. He's not coming and that's the end of it," he said. "He said it all himself, and as I said a few days ago with the group we have here we can aspire to achieve all our objectives. "There's a great group here, both in terms of football and the personalities in the group, and we're in the right condition to fight for everything. "It's his decision, it wasn't to be and now we get on with it." SportingLife.com | |
| Ronaldo reveals all about Ferguson, his future | Posted by Bill on Thu Aug 07 @ 07:12 GMT |
In his own words: Ronaldo reveals all about Ferguson, his football dreams and his futureAfter a summer of intense speculation, Manchester United's forward has decided to speak out. Here the Guardian publishes the interview in fullThe Guardian, Thursday August 7 2008 Article history
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out in an interview with Portugese newspaper Publico. Photograph: Graham Whitby/Allstar Sir Alex Ferguson said this week that it was "the end of the matter" and that Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing at Manchester United next season. Is this true? Yes. My coach was kind enough to come and see me in Lisbon a few days ago, which I think is common knowledge. It was a very honest conversation between two people that respect one other and that I'm sure share a mutual affection and friendship. What we said to each other will remain private. Sir Alex listened to me, I listened to him and we established that the best for both sides would be for me to continue at Old Trafford. So, I can confirm that I'll be playing for Manchester United next season. And before there are any rumours and speculation about me staying against my will, I want to make one thing clear: whoever says or writes anything to that effect is lying. I'll be playing at Manchester United with my heart and soul. I will fight and honour the shirt with the same desire and dedication as I always have. And how do you think the people at Real Madrid will feel hearing you say that you're staying at Manchester United? I want to say that I was the one that was responsible for all this controversy. It wasn't their fault because it was me that said publicly that I wanted to move to Real Madrid. It was also me, although wholly unintentionally, that caused the friction between the two clubs. Your statements after the Champions League final and during and after the European Championship demonstrated your enormous desire to leave Manchester United and move to Real Madrid. What did you actually want? I knew that Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had, allegedly, made a very substantial offer to Manchester United. For a while, I wanted Manchester to accept the offer and for me to move to Madrid. If I denied it I would be deceiving everyone, including myself. Anyone who knows me knows that it would have to be something very important for me to admit such a thing. If there's one thing I've never been - nor do I ever want to be - it is ungrateful. Manchester United - from the Glazer family, the directors, namely David Gill, to the coaches, team-mates and backroom staff - is a club that will always be dear to my heart. Whatever happens in the future, that will never change. I'm very aware of what this club has done for me and I'll be eternally grateful, come what may. But it was because of this, because I knew this club was different and extraordinarily human, that I hoped that my wishes and my reasons would be understood. And what were the reasons that made you want to leave? After we'd won the Champions League, I felt that in five years I had helped win everything there was to win. We'd won the Premier League twice and I'd won a host of individual awards, including the best goalscorer in the Premier League, Champions League and in Europe. So I felt that maybe I needed a new challenge. I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought this could be the right moment. Manchester United and Real are probably the two biggest clubs in the world and it would never be an easy decision to make. Apart from the challenge, everyone realises that Spanish and Portuguese culture and lifestyle are more similar. Those were the reasons that made me consider the change. Nothing else? The attraction of an even more generous wage that Real Madrid are said to be willing to pay, for example? I'm aware that, whatever the circumstances, there will always be speculation about me. I knew that there would always be someone who'd say that my main concern was making more money. Others would insist that my vanity couldn't resist being linked to the biggest transfer fee of all time at the age of 23. Of course I am proud to see my work recognised, but none of this had any major effect on what I wanted. In fact, if it was just a question of money, I would never leave Manchester United. Apart from the reasons I've just given, I also have to recognise that my family would welcome the change. The chance of being an hour's flight from my mother and the rest of my family was very attractive, even more so playing for a club like Real Madrid. I know I have to deal with these circumstances, even though it's difficult sometimes, but it's harder to ask the same of the people I love the most. The best proof of what I've just said is the fact that I've just made a major investment in a house in Manchester, even though I didn't have to. I did it not just for my own comfort but also for those closest to me. The people at Manchester United, particularly the manager, understood my reasons. But we all eventually concluded that I should continue to wear that No7 United shirt. It's no sacrifice for me, it's a great honour. I have important things to win in England. I will give everything I have to Manchester United. I want to defend the European title and help United become world champion, not forgetting the Premier League and other competitions. Are you afraid of the reception you'll get from the Manchester United fans? No, to be honest. It's possible but I hope it doesn't happen. I know I'm a good professional, I know that no one's harder on me than myself and that's never going to change, under any circumstances. The high point of my career was winning the Champions League. No one will ever erase that from my memory, in the same way that no one will ever erase the fact that I did it in a Manchester United shirt. What I said publicly, which was maybe a little naive, I take total responsibility for. People have to understand one thing: at the age of 18 I arrived at a dream club like Manchester United. It was a dream come true. But, even at that moment, I was thinking about playing in England for some years and then going to play in Spain. Even at that time I was thinking that way, and I always gave 100% everything. Why lie? I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say the opposite of what I think, like some others do. I said exactly what I thought: I have a dream of playing at Real and I thought it was time to move on. People can't be upset about me fulfilling a childhood dream. But would it be fair for Manchester United to lose you while you are still under contract? I'm very aware of what this club has done for me. I'll be forever grateful. Manchester United and its fans can be sure that I'll never forget them, no matter what happens. They're special and they'll always have a place here [puts hand on heart]. In fact, I confess that one of the reasons I had the courage to say what I did was the fact that Manchester United would be fairly compensated. The figure mentioned, which would be a world record, would serve as some compensation for the debt of gratitude that I owe the club, as least in material terms. I'm going to say something here that I've never told anybody: if we hadn't been European champions I probably wouldn't have even thought about going to Madrid. And there is something else that should be mentioned: I never wanted to leave against United's will. When they turned down the offer, the people at United made it very clear how much they wanted me. I didn't fully understand it at the time, but now I can really appreciate it. But you agreed with Sepp Blatter when the president of Fifa said that long-term contracts between players and clubs were a form of "modern slavery"? That makes no sense, nor do I believe that's what he meant, as he himself has already stated. My comment was about something else. I was saying that players should be where they feel happy. Nothing more. Sir Alex Ferguson was always intransigent and denied any possibility of a transfer ... Believe me, it makes me proud to know how much he thinks of me. And he knows I feel exactly the same way about him. He has been one of the most important people in my playing career. Not only because of what I've learnt and continue to learn from him in sporting terms but also in human ones as well. I love the passion he has for football. If it were humanly possible I would like to have him always by my side. Of course it's not possible but it shows how much affection, admiration and respect I have for him. He has always been like a second father to me at Manchester United. I'll never forget that it was him that explained the significance of the No7 United shirt, which will always be my shirt. When I was at Sporting I had a number of offers, some of them very lucrative. One of them offered eight million Euros just as a signing on fee and meant that I would play for Sporting for one more year and then leave as a free agent. But money isn't everything. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter, Milan, Juventus, Valencia and practically all the big clubs were also interested. At the time, Jorge Mendes explained that Manchester United also wanted me and that Sir Alex Ferguson had told him that he would be very careful with my playing career. So I would play at least 50% of the games in the first season, which is what happened. This shows that I also chose Manchester United and that money wasn't the deciding factor. Alongside my agent [Mendes], Sir Alex Ferguson has been the most important person I've ever known in my career. Because of this, because of the special relationship that exists between us, I know that he'll understand that there are times when a father has to worry only about what's best for his child. The Spanish press continues to say that your future is at Real Madrid There's no point in making predictions. It's not worth speculating because nothing is set in stone and things change all the time in football. Today there are opportunities that no one knows if they will come round again in the future. There are only two certainties: I'll be playing at Manchester United, a club I'm proud to represent; Real Madrid will continue to be a great club without me and I will continue to admire the Spanish club, as I have done since I was a boy. I'm saying what I think and I hope that all the speculation will stop. The press has written some terrible things about me and about this whole thing. They've invented a thousand and one things and that's one of the reasons why I decided to talk about this now. And people can be sure of one thing: everything I've said comes from the bottom of my heart and is the only truth. Which means you don't exclude the possibility the dream of playing for Madrid? I'm 100% professional and I've always given my heart and soul to this club. I even played a major part of the season injured, which was verified by my operation. I played in excruciating pain while taking anti-inflammatory medication every day. And I'd do it again if necessary. This club deserves it because the United staff and the fans are fantastic, not forgetting the affection and respect I have for Sir Alex Ferguson. If one day I leave the club, I want to do it knowing that I did everything I could to help the club win as much as possible. If that happens, I'll leave with the feeling of having done my duty to the maximum. Interview by Bruno Prata, Publico www.guardian.co.uk | |
| Edwin: We can win them both again | Posted by Bill on Wed Aug 06 @ 07:45 GMT |
Edwin van der Sar is convinced that Manchester United can successfully defend their European and domestic crowns this season.The veteran Dutchman played an integral role in United's twin triumphs last term, beating away Nicolas Anelka's penalty in Moscow to ensure a famous Champions League triumph at the expense of Chelsea. New Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has already laid down a marker for the new campaign, claiming Chelsea are gunning for all four trophies on offer this term. United could actually claim six - they will also compete for the European Super Cup in Monaco later this month and the World Club Championship in December. But Van der Sar prefers to look at the two United must defend; a perfectly achievable aim in his book. "I don't see why not," he said. "The core of the team is still the same. Of course, we had a little thing with (Cristiano) Ronaldo this summer but we have a good squad of players. "During the season we are bound to suffer setbacks, every team does. "There will be injuries, loss of form, red cards and clearly we need luck at crucial times as well. But hopefully we will end up in the right place." So far Sir Alex Ferguson has opted against improving his squad, although the Dimitar Berbatov issue is far from dead. However, others have been more active, with Tottenham splashing the cash once more in a bid to break into the top four, while Manchester City and Aston Villa are eager to flex their financial muscle too. Van der Sar is not certain it will be enough to break into the top four, with the usual familiar faces battling it out at the head of affairs once more. "It will be the same four again," he said. "It is almost too tight to split them and results over the last few years confirm that. "In the last three or four years it has been Chelsea and Manchester United going for the title. "But Liverpool won the Champions League then lost the final a couple of years later. Arsenal have been in it as well. "You can see from our results in Europe how much quality there is in the Premier League, so I expect us all to be quite close to each other." United have only two more games to sharpen themselves up ahead of the Premier League season-opener against Newcastle on August 17, by which time Cristiano Ronaldo should have returned to the Red Devils' Carrington training base. The Portugal winger is due to see a specialist in Amsterdam later this week to see whether his recent ankle operation has been a success. As the meeting was planned when Ronaldo first had the operation, United officials reacted with bemusement at the frenzied speculation over a meeting between the 23-year-old and Sir Alex Ferguson, supposedly planned for Tuesday, which in fact was a creation of the Spanish media. Given the United boss is under the impression both men discussed what they had to during a meeting following Portugal's exit from Euro 2008, he is not expecting any further dialogue about Ronaldo's future. Instead, he is hoping to hear that Ronaldo has been given the green light to step up his recovery, placing him on track for a return to action late next month. Meanwhile, Brazilian youngster Rafael da Silva offered further signs of his promise with an outstanding performance at Peterborough on Monday night. Da Silva agreed to join the Old Trafford outfit along with brother Fabio last year and is already showing enough ability at right-back to convince Ferguson to release Danny Simpson to Blackburn on a season-long loan. Although skipper Gary Neville should return for tomorrow's encounter with Juventus, Da Silva is likely to keep his teamtalk.com | |
| Rafael leaves lasting impression | Posted by Bill on Wed Aug 06 @ 07:38 GMT |
Sir Alex Ferguson has allowed Danny Simpson to join Blackburn on a year's loan and hailed the debut of Brazilian right back Rafael.
Simpson, who cannot play against United for Paul Ince's side, will continue his development at Ewood Park, but Ferguson may already have found a younger, more exciting long-term replacement for Gary Neville. Rafael, who arrived at the club with his twin brother Fabio from Fluminense, played the full 90 minutes of United's 2-0 friendly win at Peterborough and did enough to suggest a competitive debut may not be too far away. His brother Fabio also impressed, at left-back, after coming on for Patrice Evra at half-time. Ferguson said: "The young players were fantastic and young Rafael the right-back was a sensation for me. "I thought it was a real eye opener for us. He hadn't played for a year but he's played a full 90 minutes today. His brother Fabio has played 45 minutes and he's also done well so we're really pleased by their contribution." The United boss could involve both youngsters again on Wednesday night when Juventus visit Old Trafford - even though Neville is scheduled to return. "You know what football's like. Sometimes it turns up some star, some little nugget maybe. On the evidence of tonight I think we have got a good player here," he said. "The squad we've got here tonight (at Peterborough) will play on Wednesday," confirmed Sir Alex, while "Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville will also be involved." www.eatsleepsport.com | |
| Ronaldo expected back this week | Posted by Bill on Wed Aug 06 @ 07:33 GMT |
CRISTIANO Ronaldo should be given the green light to step up his recovery programme this week.
While talk of a showdown between Ronaldo and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson seems to have dominated certain agendas, particularly in Spain, the Reds are more concerned about the 23-year-old's recent ankle operation. Reports in Spain a fortnight ago suggested today would be the day Ronaldo told Ferguson face-to-face of his desire to leave for Real Madrid, but he is not expected to fly back until later this week. He is now due to visit a specialist in Amsterdam to discover how successful his surgery has been. Only after that is Ronaldo set to report in at Carrington, meaning it will be the end of the week at the earliest before he can speak with Ferguson. Impression And given the United boss is under the impression both men discussed what they had to during a meeting following Portugal's exit from Euro 2008, he is not expecting any further dialogue about Ronaldo's future. The Reds - and Ferguson in particular - have made their position perfectly clear on the matter. And that is that Ronaldo, after just one season of a five-year contract, is going nowhere, no matter what price is placed on his head by officials at the Bernabeu. It is a situation Real president Ramon Calderon may find difficult to stomach but could be forced to accept given his repeated recent protestations that his club do not want to get involved in luring Ronaldo away from Old Trafford and will only act once Old Trafford officials signal their willingness to do a deal. Such statements have been greeted with mirth at United given the blame being placed at Calderon's door for the discussion over Ronaldo's future, which began almost as soon as the player got his hands on the Champions League trophy in Moscow last May. Although United have a healthy disregard for reports that come out of Spain, claiming most, including those that stated Ronaldo would return today, have been proved false, they are aware most of them originate from Real. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk | |
| Utd step up Dimitar Berbatov chase | Posted by Bill on Wed Aug 06 @ 07:32 GMT |
SIR ALEX FERGUSON will step up his efforts to pry Dimitar Berbatov away from Tottenham after casting doubt on Wayne Rooney’s chance of starting the new season.
The Manchester United boss, who has declared victory in his battle to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, expects to be without Rooney for the opening games of the campaign, with the striker battling a virus picked up in Nigeria. That will leave Ferguson with just two senior strikers, Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha. And the Red Devils boss, who insisted the virus was not malaria, said: "I doubt we’ll get Rooney fit for the start of the season with the virus he’s had. "It’s a virus he picked up in Nigeria and it’s not a nice one, but quite a few have had it. "It’s such a bad virus and he’s got to be training to be fit." Bulgarian striker Berbatov is Ferguson’s top transfer target, although Spurs’ valuation of their player – £38m – may force the Scot to look elsewhere for reinforcements. www.dailypost.co.uk | |
| Rooney Woe Forces Fergie Rethink | Posted by Bill on Wed Aug 06 @ 07:01 GMT |
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson must rethink his plans for Sunday's Community Shield, after revealing Wayne Rooney has a virus which could force him to miss the start of the season. United could now step up their attempts to sign a new striker, although they are also hoping to secure a work permit for Angolan front man Manucho. Ferguson claimed on Tuesday that winger Cristiano Ronaldo is certain to stay at Old Trafford for the coming season - despite the interest from Real Madrid, whose signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg may have been a cut-price alternative to launching a world-record bid for the United star. Injured Ronaldo is a certain absentee for this weekend's clash with FA Cup winners Portsmouth, but the loss of Rooney to illness was unexpected and leaves Ferguson short of options. The England striker returned from the Red Devils' pre-season tour of Africa with the virus and is struggling to shake it off in time to be considered for either Sunday's game or United's Barclays Premier League opener against Newcastle the following weekend. Ferguson told United's official website: "I doubt we'll get Rooney fit for the start of the season with the virus he's had. "It's a virus he picked up in Nigeria and it's not a nice one, but quite a few have had it. "It's such a bad virus, and he's got to be training to be fit." Ferguson confirmed that Rooney was not suffering from malaria, which the entire squad had been treated against before the trip. Carlos Tevez and the seemingly out-of-favour Louis Saha, linked with Sunderland, are the only established strikers fit and available to United - so there could be a role for 20-year-old Fraizer Campbell. Although Real Madrid have not ruled out making a formal bid for Ronaldo, Ferguson is eager to put a full stop on the summer-long transfer saga involving his most valuable player. He said: "The matter is closed now. He [Ronaldo] is a Manchester United player - it's finished. He'll be playing here next season, believe me. It's finished." Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon unveiled his latest Dutch star on Tuesday, and said: "Rafael van der Vaart is the first and possibly the only signing of the summer for Real Madrid. "We believe that this squad is full of quality, and plenty of talent." SportingLife.com | |
| Ronaldo saga over, says Ferguson | Posted by Bill on Tue Aug 05 @ 20:44 GMT |
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga is now "closed" and the winger will remain at the club.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon hinted the Spanish side may have ended their pursuit of the winger. Real have been linked with Ronaldo throughout the summer, but signed Rafael van der Vaart on Tuesday. "Van der Vaart is the first and possibly the only signing of the summer for Real Madrid," Calderon said. The 25-year-old signing from Hamburg was unveiled at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday and Calderon said he was unlikely to further add to his squad. Calderon has repeatedly said he would like to sign Ronaldo, but his latest comments come amid signs that Real's bid to recruit the Portugal international have stalled due to United's refusal to sell the 23-year-old. 606: DEBATE Is the Ronaldo saga really over? Ronaldo is under contract at Old Trafford until 2012 but has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid and the player appeared to be keen on a move. But Ferguson has remained adamant that Ronaldo would stay at Old Trafford and has now moved to end the saga. He said: "The matter is closed now. He is a Manchester United player - it's finished. He'll be playing here next season believe me. It's finished." Real have been relatively quiet during this summer's transfer window. The Spanish champions signed Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander at the end of last season but under the terms of the deal the player will only join the club in the 2009-10 season. In addition, midfielders Javi Garcia and Ruben de la Red, who were in Spain's triumphant Euro 2008 squad, have rejoined Real after a season with Osasuna and Getafe respectively. "We believe that this squad is full of quality, of plenty of talent. It's a team which is a great family, very close," Calderon added. Van der Vaart's move to Madrid may scupper Ronaldo's transfer "We said that the new arrivals would be few but of great quality. That seemed logical after two successful seasons in which we've brought in 19 young, promising players. "This [the low number of signings] was a request of the board of directors." Ronaldo is recovering from surgery on an ankle injury and is due to visit a specialist in Amsterdam to discover how successful the surgery has been. He is likely to be sidelined until the end of September, missing their opening five Premier League matches. United are on a pre-season tour of Nigeria United where they play four friendlies, including one against Community Shield opponents Portsmouth. news.bbc.co.uk | |
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