C-Ron Saga Giving Fergie a Taste of His Own Medicine

By: Daryl | June 21st, 2008

Here’s what Cristiano Ronaldo said after Portugal’s Euro 2008 quarterfinal defeat to Germany:

“It is always difficult. It is not only one person deciding, it is many people, but it can be a very good thing for everybody. Let’s see in a couple of days. You will soon know what I want. You know what I want [already] and that is why I don’t want to say anything else. Let’s wait. I want to give more details. I am going to say what I want but things don’t depend only on me, that is why we have to wait.”

I added the bold, because it’s clearly the most important bit. It basically confirms that C-Ron wants out of Manchester United and in at Real Madrid.

Alex Ferguson obviously feels differently. But what can Fergie do about it?

As far as I can tell, this is the first time Fergie has been faced with a player who wants out of Old Traffod and the feeling isn’t mutual. With David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy the feeling was somewhat mutual. With Ronaldo it isn’t.

To sum up, Fergie’s options boil down to this:

1. Sell him. Take the money and spend it on someone else. Cross your Scottish fingers that you can find a suitable replacement (and replacing C-Ron is a whole ‘nother blog post).

2. Keep him. Refuse all bids, keep CR7 against his will, keep playing him. Cross your Scottish fingers crossed that a miserable Ronaldo can still score goals and that his attitude doesn’t destroy dressing room morale.

3. Bench him. Refuse all bids and send Cristiano Ronaldo to play in the reserves. Cross your Scottish fingers and hope six months of that changes Ronaldo’s mind. Try not to think about the 120,000 a week that’s being wasted.

Basically none of those options seems particularly appealing, since none of those options gives Fergie the same Ronaldo he had for the past two seasons. Someone else will have to score 42 goals. Michael Carrick maybe?

On one hand, I’ve got sympathy for Fergie. He’s used to being king of the castle and deciding player’s futures.

On the other hand, there are plenty of Fergie’s former rivals who would say this is a taste of his own medicine.

John Gregory, for example, had Dwight Yorke snatched away from him at Aston Villa after Fergie mounted a “we want him” campaign not entirely dissimilar to Ream Madrid’s Ronaldo campaign.

What goes around comes around.

But there are bigger things at stake here. At the time of Yorke’s transfer it was no secret that Man Utd were a bigger club than Aston Villa. Only the most die-hard Villains would argue otherwise (and even then, they’d have to be pretty drunk.)

But Man Utd quite rightly see themselves as being the equal (or better) of Real Madrid. Madrid was the place Fergie sent his high profile cast-offs like Becks and RvN. But should Ronaldo leave Old Trafford for what he sees as the bigger and better Bernabéu and a fatter paypacket, then maybe we’ll have to rethink the pecking order among Europe’s elite clubs.

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Ak

A: Milan were brilliant in that game...but, I wouldn't call it a complete performance: Ferdinand was injured and it was Vidic's first game back from an injury. Again, that's the difference between a team who were fighting hard on four fronts, and one who concentrated on just one: one team was tired and had a ton of injuries, and the other were still in peak health. But, regardless, it _was_ a great Milan performance.

Before our B-team outclassed Arsenal's B-team in the FA cup, I would have agreed with you about Arsenal playing the best football in Europe, and I may still do so now. Well, so you never said, "wow," of their performances; I however was mightily impressed with the way we beat Arsenal 2-1 at home, and were the better team away (but "only" got a draw); how we beat Chelsea 2-0 at home, but lost to a hand-ball-assisted away loss when we played the better football; how we trounced Liverpool (as usual!); how we beat Roma with one of the best technical performances I've ever seen from a Utd team, and without ever really breaking a sweat (a Roma team that I considered the best non-English team last year); how we were able to play catenaccio against Barca (something I've never seen us be able to do before); how we had the strongest attack of any team in Europe, supplemented with the strongest defense of any team in Europe. Of course there were some rough moments: the defeat of Lyon was hardly magnificent, playing catenaccio against Barca robbed us of a fantastic game, and plenty of others that I've forgotten. But I think you're wrong to think this was not a very good side. Technically very strong, excellent in attack, young, and able to beat teams when not playing well. I can tell you without bias that compared to the other Utd sides, last year's performances were up there with the '99 team; and if that team goes on to beat most of the top sides in Europe (including the English ones) while setting a record or two, then maybe it is not you're eyes that are deceiving you, but you're prejudices. It's too early to call this a "great" team, but quite justifiable (I reckon) in calling it a very good one.

As to the issue at hand, we Utd supporters rightly demand loyalty from CR7: when the rest of the country booed CR7 (and burnt effigies of Beckham before that), it was us supporters that stuck by them. Never once was a boo or hiss directed at them within Old Trafford. Never. Can SAF demand the same? Perhaps, and perhaps not. I will laugh at him demanding loyalty from, say, Stam after the way he treated him; but what ill has he done to CR7? Then again, if you do bad things what else can you expect?

Maybe SAF deserves what is coming to him (although, to be fair, this would not nearly be enough!) But, it's not wise to be pouring scorn when you look through tinted eyes. There are more important things in life than to stir up grievances of the past. Commiserations on the loss to Spain. Forget about it. I would give you another quote about life, but nobody ever listens...
A

And Ak, you of all people should recognise that Milan were superb in the CL in 07 and their performance against your boys was perhaps the most complete footballing performance to topple a team who thinks rather highly of themselves in this decade.
A

My point was not that Man Utd is worse than other big clubs with treatment of players, but rather that Mr Fergie and the club should be the last people to talk up loyalty. Man Utd and the British football media created the ego-maniac called Cristiano Ronaldo, their fans demonised him after the World Cup and given the way they treated some of their stars in the past and the opportunity of Real, can anyone really blame CR for wanting out?

And as to how good this Man Utd team is, I have not watched a match of theirs this season where I thought "wow!". Their a bit of a long ball team against good opposition, which was evident very early on in the season e.g. vs Arsenal, and that is just not my cup of tea. I did however see them outclassed by Chelsea in the league, play Scottish catenaccio to make it into the final where they were the worse team and got pretty luck to get the win. For me, Arsenal played the best football in Europe this season (and I'm not saying that because they beat Milan).

They may be better than Real this year or last three, and they maybe more successful than Real over the last three or four too, but not by much.
Ak

A: if Utd "fluked" this year's CL, then what would you call Milan the year before only playing a dozen or so competitive games and using the league as an extended warm-up session? Or what would you call Barca's performance in the final the year before that? Man Utd were arguably the best team in Europe this year; regardless of an underwhelming performance or two. The same could be said in '99. Was 3-2 at the delle Alpi a fluke? Or 3-3 at Camp Nou (with a few Barca dives in the penalty box)? The final against Bayern was a poor game (you try playing without Keane and Scholes in the middle -- two players who could have walked, in my own opinion, into any team in the world at the time). The fact is that EVERY team "flukes" the CL.

Yes, Real have more trophies; but I'd wager Utd would have had a lot more if it wasn't for Munich (the team that lost to Real in '57 had an average age of about 22 and were already regarded as "great" -- you try to find a team that young in the fifties that had that much talent). Torino FC never recovered from the Superga disaster; it's a credit to Utd that they somewhat did.

But, you are right: for a long time Utd were not a good enough club to attract top players. However, you'd be foolish to think that it was money in the nineties that gave Utd (or any other premiership club) an advantage: it was only by the end of that decade that the top clubs could reach financial equality with the Juves and Milans of Europe. And, you'd be idiotic to think that Spanish and Italian clubs were any different when they were the best in the world: Utd simply could not compete with the wages that Italian clubs could offer in the nineties, and to a lesser extent the top Spanish clubs at the turn of the decade. Yes, Real's (and Barca's and Milan's) reputations are bigger than Utd's in South American and Mediterranean countries (and maybe others too), and that is why CR7 wants to go to Real; but what do you reckon Utd's reputation is in Asia, and to a lesser extent America? Such countries provide few top-class players; but plenty of opportunity. United are a bigger club than Real in many ways, and in others less so; but I like to think that Utd have been a better club than Real for a fair few years now on where it is all said and done: the pitch.

A: hate us, the Utd supporters; we are arrogant at times, because it is hard to appreciate the beast that is before you when you can only see it's tail (ignore 90% of the so-called "fans": they are new to the sport and ignorant). But, don't blast the club. Yes, we perhaps could have treated Becks and Stam and V-man with more loyalty (I could argue against this, but I won't for now): how is your, or any other, club much different? I could just as easily hate Italian clubs for their "history of cheating"; or Real for having bought a team that they couldn't afford and then having the Spanish government bail them out. Or either countries' teams for "stealing" South American youngsters from their respective clubs for decades akin to the accusation that Platini and co. make against premiership clubs. Life's too short.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus:

Is the cucumber bitter? Then throw it away. Is a thorn bush in your way? Then go around it. That is enough; do not add, "Why do such things exist in the world?"
A

But the 'standard' that was brought up by the topic was that of 'pecking orders' in European football and by that standard, all empirical data points to the fact that Real Madrid are above Man Utd, even now as much as in the past.

You think Man Utd can coax Kaka from AC Milan? I'll bet on that not happening but I'm very nervous that Real Madrid might.
Brian

Yes, precisely, by the standard of the exposure given to Man Utd by Murdoch and the rest of the world media, and the resulting haul of new supporters, revenue streams, and trophies. Also by the standard of the fact that at the moment Man Utd are not just a better team than Real Madrid, but a significantly better team, as the Champions League results demonstrated. I don't say this as anything resembling a Man Utd supporter. But I'm absolutely sure that this modern, trashy, money-soaked scale of greatness counts at least as much with Ronaldo as glories accrued during the Franco era.

You're right that Man Utd would give him a new contract. But by the same modern, trashy, money-soaked standard, a massive move to Madrid would do more for his sense of himself than a quiet raise at his old club. He could be the player who smashed the transfer fee record! Of course Real Madrid's history plays a significant role in creating this context; my point is just that Ronaldo's point of contact with it is almost certainly not a romantic identification with the past.
A

By what standards is Man Utd a bigger club than Real Madrid at this moment? If you mean it's by the exposure given to them by Mr Murdoch, that is self evident.

Money is not the issue. Man Utd would draw him up a new contract in a flash. And of course it's an ego thing. This whole business of status of clubs is about egos. But there's a reason why Real Madrid in particular is the destination. This is the club of Di Stefano, astronomical transfer fees and Galacticos.
Brian

A --- You have a point about the historical success of the two clubs, but it borders on the incredible to suggest that what's motivating Ronaldo now is a romantic childhood dream to play for Real Madrid.

I think Ronaldo sees himself as bigger than either club. Moving to Madrid would be a massive triumph for his ego, since it would demonstrate that what he wants transcends what his employers want, as well as bringing him more money, proving that he isn't beholden to Ferguson for his greatness, and potentially shifting the balance of power in European football all by himself (since whatever you say about the past, Man Utd are clearly a bigger club globally right now, in large part because of Ronaldo himself).

That's what's motivating him, not the desire to wear the same shirt as di Stefano.
matt

a: owen hargreaves from bayern. last year wasn't it maybe the year before.
nige

Lets face facts. Nearly all chairman,footballers and managers are a bunch of dishonest scumbags. So. Any footy fan who pays over the odds to see these twats and then moan are without doubt the thickest twats in the sport. If you want sympathy. You can find it in the dictionary. Between shit and syph
A

Real Madrid has won the CL three times in the last 10 years. Man Utd fluked it twice.
A

BTW would you share with me who of note has Man Utd 'coaxed' away from a big club?
A

I'm actually a Milan fan Matt. And even in mine and CR's lifetime Real Madrid has been more successful than Man Utd. Of course it's a Ronaldo thing. That's the point I'm trying to make, players have dreams of playing for certain clubs and as it happens Real Madrid is a bigger dream for most non-Anglo players than Man Utd. As is Barcelona. And perhaps even AC Milan. A young player in Latin America or Southern Europe will be have looked up to personalities such as Zidane, Ronaldo, Romario, Maradona, Figo etc, and not likely Denis Law, George Best , Brian Robson or Ryan Giggs and guess for whom their heroes have played? It wasn't Man Utd.
matt

how old are you A? old enough to remember when madrid was winning those first 5 or 6 titles? cause i'm sure not...neither is ronaldo. is it hard to swallow that ac milan has been a better team in the champs league in the modern era...or that man united has been better than you for the better part of the last decade? as a united fan to me it sucks that he's going but i think it's more of a ronaldo decision ($$$) than a case of madrid wanting him which they obviously do, it's not like united haven't tried and succeeded at coaxing players away either. it's more of a ronaldo thing than anything. still i wish nothing but shit for madrid...the club that epitomizes arrogance more than any other.
A

It might be a hard fact to swallow for the arrogant Man Utd fandom but there are bigger clubs in player's dreams and given the same sort of terms, they will choose those over the Red Devils.
A

Yes I did realise that Man Utd won the CL again this year (rather fortuitously *again*, it must be said) but they are still 6 behind on the Madrid giants even though no other team has played in more Champion's League season's than they. Why? Because they have not had the player to form great enough teams to win it. Why? Because most of the best players choose other clubs.

CR is not the only player who has snubbed Man Utd; does Ronaldinho ring a bell?
sheps

"Give any non-anglo player the option to choose between Man Utd and Real Madrid on equal terms and he would pick Real 99 out of 100 times."

Sorry, did you not realise that Real Madrid got knocked out of the Champions League by Roma, a team United then went on to humiliate 2-0 in Rome? They also then went on to win club football's most prestigious prize.

Ronaldo should have stayed. The Madrid bus will come every summer, he can jump on that in a few years time. He won't have the same freedom at Madrid - at United the whole style of play is built around him. Him going is really a loss for everyone involved, which is a shame.

But if I was Fergie, I'd now sell him for as much as I could squeeze out of Real. Get rid of Saha as well, and bring in a quality winger with pace and a center forward. Again a different post! But I'd be after Villa and maybe Robinho in the Ronaldo deal.
A

What do you mean rethink the pecking order? Give any non-anglo player the option to choose between Man Utd and Real Madrid on equal terms and he would pick Real 99 out of 100 times.

No one even thought about Man Utd until the second half of this decade when the money in the Premier League became too enticing to overlook.

The alumni of clubs say it all friends.
A

Frankly, I have no sympathy for Fergie and Man Utd. They demand loyalty of players when it suits them but can never be counted on to reward that loyalty if the what happened to Beckham, Stam, Van Nistelrooy is anything to go by.