I know this is what the press do...

Feed Me · 16th April 2008, 09:46

... but this has really got my goat!

More stellar writing from the Daily Mail:

Quote:

Real Madrid will bring forward their plans to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer after claiming Manchester United's prolific winger can succeed Zinedine Zidane as the new darling of the Bernabeu.

It was thought Real president Ramon Calderon would wait until next year's club elections before attempting to pull off the ultimate vote winner and guarantee a second term in power.

But his sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, indicated the Spanish giants will try to prise Ronaldo away at the end of this season in a move that would rival the audacious £47million capture of Zidane from Juventus seven years ago.

Spanish eyes are watching: Ronaldo rattles home his penalty against Arsenal at the weekend

United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz claims even an offer twice that size would not persuade them to sell the Portugal winger.

However, that is unlikely to deter Madrid, who have not won the Champions League since 2002.

Mijatovic said: "Real Madrid are one of the most prestigious teams in the world of football and therefore have to sign the best players. Cristiano Ronaldo is emblematic. We want him as the new face of Real Madrid."

Publicly, United insist no talks are planned with Ronaldo over a new deal as he is only 12 months into a five-year contract.

It is unthinkable they would not offer the 23-year-old some kind of reward for another outstanding season that has already brought him 38 goals, but nothing will happen before the Champions League Final on May 21.

If, by then, Ronaldo has helped United to win it, the clamour in Madrid for Calderon to make his move would be irresistible.

Another Barclays Premier League title and a European Cup might also convince the player to seek a new challenge.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Queiroz — a father figure to Ronaldo — are well aware he is easily bored.

They are constantly looking for ways to keep him stimulated, even considering switching to a 4-5-1 formation and using him as the spearhead to give him a fresh challenge. Ferguson's tactic with his winning teams has always been to challenge the players to repeat their success, but it might not be that easy with Ronaldo.

After all, what do you give the player who has everything?

Money should not be a major problem, even if his £80,000-aweek salary is dwarfed by the £130,000 being offered to Rio Ferdinand.

Contrary to reports, the England defender's six-year deal has not been signed but should go through in weeks.

But it could be lifestyle and ambition — he yearns to win the World Player of the Year award — rather than money that persuades Ronaldo to emulate David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy in going to the Bernabeu.

Although Ronaldo is content at home in the Cheshire countryside, Madrid is a better fit than Manchester for the boy from the sunshine island of Madeira.

United recognise that and are happy to let him make regular trips to see his new girlfriend, Spanish model Nereida Gallardo, in Mallorca and his family in Portugal.

- Mijatovic, the slimy cnut, is in a high profile footballing position. He is the sporting director of one of the big football institutions in world football. His comments are obviously high profile, so why Fifa happily disregard what he is saying? He is constantly pouting rubbish about other clubs players.

- Ronaldo is easily bored and we alter our entire formation for him? How about an alternative (more truthful) slant. He has been prolific this season and has been deployed more centrally as a result. Having Rooney play deeper and from the left also means that we have more defensive protection late on in games. Also, no matter how good a player is, I don't think that SAF would put up with a player who lost interest in the cause that quickly.

- I think the general tone of the article is a disservice to Ronaldo, who is portrayed as being unmotivated and easily distracted. You don't get as good as he is, without putting in dedicated practice.

- If Ronaldo wants to go to a club with more interesting day-to-day happenings, then Madridis definetly his place. Constantly changing managers at a joke of a club. Sounds great.

- I am surprised that the English press do not do more to report our positive comments. Something of the ilk of: "Ronaldo is invaluable." Why are they constantly pre-empting the exit of this finest player in the League. When he goes, they will all bemoan the decision and say that SAF has lost the plot. Idiots.

- If he ever does move to Spain, I hope he goes to Barcelona. They (although) not whiter than white, do not act as arrogantly as Madrid.

Rant over.

cw1984 · 16th April 2008, 10:05

Madrid have gone too far with their constant speculating but we're no angels.

Hargreaves.......

Feed Me · 16th April 2008, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by cw1984

Madrid have gone too far with their constant speculating but we're no angels.

Hargreaves.......

I had not even thought about Hargreaves to be honest. Good call.

But even then, it is a habitual thing with Madrid. And their tactics are more covert and sinister - they use the press very cleverly over there.

cw1984 · 16th April 2008, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feed Me

I had not even thought about Hargreaves to be honest. Good call.

But even then, it is a habitual thing with Madrid. And their tactics are more covert and sinister - they use the press very cleverly over there.

I agree. Madrid do seem to take the piss.

skillz · 16th April 2008, 10:43

I believe Hargo situation was different, as he wanted to leave, and we did contact BM about him. We didn't comeout with bullshit, saying we were better than BM etc etc.

cw1984 · 16th April 2008, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by skillz

I believe Hargo situation was different, as he wanted to leave, and we did contact BM about him. We didn't comeout with bullshit, saying we were better than BM etc etc.

Yes he did want to leave BUT Munich didnt want too sell and we spent 18months constantly 'leaking' stories about him.

We acted pretty shamefully in that whole ordeal i think....

Raven_Blade · 16th April 2008, 12:28

Silly article. They are insinuating that we have to cater to Ronaldo's every need or he will be off. Every player falls in line and there is only one person running the show, SAF.

VidaRed · 16th April 2008, 12:32

we must not sell to real....if he decides to leave we must insist on him going to barca even if they offer couple of million less. that would teach the madrid cunts and piss them off also.

Cupid Stunt · 16th April 2008, 12:36

Anybody watch revista de la liga? It did a good piece on potential Ronaldo activity (Basically none) and how Madrid go about things in the transfer market. Cnuts..

soulblight3r · 16th April 2008, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by cw1984

Yes he did want to leave BUT Munich didnt want too sell and we spent 18months constantly 'leaking' stories about him.

We acted pretty shamefully in that whole ordeal i think....

Munich wanted to sell..but at a higher price. We don't want to sell at all.

cw1984 · 16th April 2008, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulblight3r

Munich wanted to sell..but at a higher price. We don't want to sell at all.

Doesnt change the fact that our behaviour was pretty shameful.

We tried our very best to unsettle him as much as possible.

UnitedRoadRed · 16th April 2008, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by cw1984

Yes he did want to leave BUT Munich didnt want too sell and we spent 18months constantly 'leaking' stories about him.

We acted pretty shamefully in that whole ordeal i think....

We made genuine bids, so i believe, whereas Madrid unsettle players to get them cheaper.

The Stam affair was allegedly far murkier than Hargreaves

Kelvin · 16th April 2008, 18:38

fucks sakes, what madrid is doing now is far worse than what we did to get Hargreaves, don't compare both cases together.

IBleedRed · 16th April 2008, 19:58

They really are repulsive cunts
It seems they will say or do anything to try and pry ronaldo away from us

BahamaRed · 16th April 2008, 20:19

This is really pissing me off. There has to be some rule or law to govern this shit. They won't leave this alone. Every week they arte trying to destabilize our guy and out team. This can't go on like this It's not right.

IBleedRed · 16th April 2008, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahamaRed

This is really pissing me off. There has to be some rule or law to govern this shit. They won't leave this alone. Every week they arte trying to destabilize our guy and out team. This can't go on like this It's not right.

The best way I see that happening is FIFA fining them
or ronnie just coming out and saying "Fuck off your spanish cunts go die in a forest fire"

ralphie88 · 16th April 2008, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by cw1984

Madrid have gone too far with their constant speculating but we're no angels.

Hargreaves.......

Are you saying Hargreaces is the new Ronaldo?

reddevilcanada · 16th April 2008, 20:41

there was a thread on this bullshit article earlier

jojojo · 16th April 2008, 20:52

Ron's too tempting for Real to leave alone. They're doing OK in La Liga, particularly with Barcelona misfiring and Valencia in freefall but they've had another bad run in the CL.

They did the brave (necessary) thing and ended the galactico era but they have neither the glamour of winning the CL nor the glamour of the big name players to replace it. The global brand suffers. Cristiano is now the most newsworthy (mediamatic as the marketeers call it) player in the world and he really would improve their team - he's far too tempting to leave untouched.

As for the Daily Mail's leap that SAF and CQ handle Ron with care - of course they do. We've heard it from SAF and Scolari and we've heard it from his previous managers - he pushes himself and he likes to be pushed. And sometimes SAF and CQ let him do it and other times they talk about "over-training" or give him time off. Even Di Salvo (the fitness trainer who worked at Real, then came to United and went back to Real) told Ron that he wouldn't like it at Real (of course that was before he went back there himself!) and Scolari has given him much the same advice.

I even have this vague hope that when people like Mijatovic talk about Ronaldo as an emblem (rather than a player) Ron sees it as a warning.

cw1984 · 17th April 2008, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelvin

fucks sakes, what madrid is doing now is far worse than what we did to get Hargreaves, don't compare both cases together.

What Madrid is doing is much worse i agree, but if you can't see the similarity in both cases then you need to open your eyes and do some reading.

Sultan · 17th April 2008, 09:56

Simple

Don't take any notice of the press.

When, and if Ronaldo goes he goes.

United will still be here....

anver · 17th April 2008, 10:35

Men may come, and men may go, but United goes on forever.

niMic · 17th April 2008, 10:41

I don't know if it's connected, but an interview with Mijatovic was used as a piece in a norwegian newspaper, and in that he says that while he'd love to have Ronaldo, right now it'd be impossible for anyone to sign him. He also hit out at the rumours that had him talking to Queiroz about a potential transfer.

So I'd say the problem is with the paper, not the fellow.

16th April 2008, 10:05	#2 (permalink)
cw1984 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,482	Madrid have gone too far with their constant speculating but we're no angels. Hargreaves.......

16th April 2008, 10:43	#5 (permalink)
skillz Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,497	I believe Hargo situation was different, as he wanted to leave, and we did contact BM about him. We didn't comeout with bullshit, saying we were better than BM etc etc.

16th April 2008, 12:28	#7 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manchester United vs The World Posts: 14,180	Silly article. They are insinuating that we have to cater to Ronaldo's every need or he will be off. Every player falls in line and there is only one person running the show, SAF.

16th April 2008, 12:32	#8 (permalink)
VidaRed First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,537	we must not sell to real....if he decides to leave we must insist on him going to barca even if they offer couple of million less. that would teach the madrid cunts and piss them off also.

16th April 2008, 12:36	#9 (permalink)
Cupid Stunt Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: "In that, Anfield is unbeatable. Put a shit hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate, crazy stadium and there are people who will tell you it's a work of art. It's not: it's a shit hanging from a stick." Posts: 1,524	Anybody watch revista de la liga? It did a good piece on potential Ronaldo activity (Basically none) and how Madrid go about things in the transfer market. Cnuts..

16th April 2008, 18:38	#13 (permalink)
Kelvin First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7,813	fucks sakes, what madrid is doing now is far worse than what we did to get Hargreaves, don't compare both cases together.

16th April 2008, 19:58	#14 (permalink)
IBleedRed likes to use pantyhose Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: apparently uses the term "limey" too much Posts: 3,555	They really are repulsive cunts It seems they will say or do anything to try and pry ronaldo away from us

16th April 2008, 20:19	#15 (permalink)
BahamaRed Legend Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Location: Location: Posts: 8,859	This is really pissing me off. There has to be some rule or law to govern this shit. They won't leave this alone. Every week they arte trying to destabilize our guy and out team. This can't go on like this It's not right.

16th April 2008, 20:41	#18 (permalink)
reddevilcanada First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,412	there was a thread on this bullshit article earlier

16th April 2008, 20:52	#19 (permalink)
jojojo Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: wondering if I'll ever get chance to sing Viva Ronaldo again Posts: 1,182	Ron's too tempting for Real to leave alone. They're doing OK in La Liga, particularly with Barcelona misfiring and Valencia in freefall but they've had another bad run in the CL. They did the brave (necessary) thing and ended the galactico era but they have neither the glamour of winning the CL nor the glamour of the big name players to replace it. The global brand suffers. Cristiano is now the most newsworthy (mediamatic as the marketeers call it) player in the world and he really would improve their team - he's far too tempting to leave untouched. As for the Daily Mail's leap that SAF and CQ handle Ron with care - of course they do. We've heard it from SAF and Scolari and we've heard it from his previous managers - he pushes himself and he likes to be pushed. And sometimes SAF and CQ let him do it and other times they talk about "over-training" or give him time off. Even Di Salvo (the fitness trainer who worked at Real, then came to United and went back to Real) told Ron that he wouldn't like it at Real (of course that was before he went back there himself!) and Scolari has given him much the same advice. I even have this vague hope that when people like Mijatovic talk about Ronaldo as an emblem (rather than a player) Ron sees it as a warning.

17th April 2008, 09:56	#21 (permalink)
Sultan Bearded and Wise Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith. Posts: 15,053	Simple Don't take any notice of the press. When, and if Ronaldo goes he goes. United will still be here....

17th April 2008, 10:35	#22 (permalink)
anver Shart stop Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colombo. Sri-Lanka Posts: 1,119	Men may come, and men may go, but United goes on forever.

17th April 2008, 10:41	#23 (permalink)
niMic Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Norway Insert anything to do with anything Posts: 758	I don't know if it's connected, but an interview with Mijatovic was used as a piece in a norwegian newspaper, and in that he says that while he'd love to have Ronaldo, right now it'd be impossible for anyone to sign him. He also hit out at the rumours that had him talking to Queiroz about a potential transfer. So I'd say the problem is with the paper, not the fellow.