As Rio Ferdinand put earlier this week, Manchester United's summer of triumph, post domestic and European success, things haven't been quite so... triumphant.
OK, its not been a disaster—there has been no mass exodus a la Arsenal or major pre-season injuries (fingers crossed). But a certain Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn something of a cloud of uncertainty over his future with his continued flirtation with his "dream" club, Spanish champions Real Madrid.
Much has been made of these somewhat ambiguous comments by United's number seven, who hit 42 goals in all competitions last season. It is my guess that Sir Alex has persuaded Ronaldo to stay for one final season at United, before the lures of the sunshine and the Bernabeu prove to much for him, as well as the £50M+ reportedly offered by Real does to United.
In short—every player has a price. If Ronaldo prefers the glitz and glamour of galactico status in Spain, then that is entirely up to him. The slight snag in Ramon Calderon's dastardly plan is that he is under contract until 2011; but as our good friend Mr Blatter, president of world governing body FIFA concluded, a player being forced to remain under contract is tantamount to "slavery".
Funny old game, football.
Ferguson has said that his football will suffer, and I am inclined to agree. His trickery and flamboyance will be more than appreciated in Madrid, but the asset on which his game is based—running at players—will be somewhat compromised in the slower, more technical La Ligá.
It is generally accepted that the Premier League is the fastest league in the world, including the tackles flying in—something Cristiano will not miss over in Espáná.
I for one would be delighted if he announced he will fulfil his contract. But if he should hand in a transfer request—adios, I say.
And for 60million euros, I'd hope David Gill and Sir Alex will say the same thing.
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