Newspaper review 3

Title: United won't sell Ronaldo to Real
Date: 19.12.2008
The straits times sports section page C18

Before the 2008/09 season started, Real Madrid had made their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo known. It was said then that the player himself wanted to leave Manchester United, champions of England and Europe, to Real Madrid. However, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to stay in Manchester United and start the season as a Red Devil and the case was closed then.

Recently, Real Madrid's director has caused the case to resurface again, claiming that they have signed "the best player for the summer". When asked by reporters if that player was Cristiano, he replied, "The best of the best. It is Cristiano, there is no other." Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, was furious and was very agitated hearing this claim by Real, which obviously meant Manchester United had not agreed on this deal to sell their star who scored 42 goals last season to make us double champions of the Premier League and Champions League.

After this act of stupidity by the director of Real, I can almost confirm that Manchester United would not sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Even if there were a deal made for Cristiano Ronaldo to move on to Real, they should keep quiet about it and only announce it until the deal has been official. By telling the press that the deal has already been made, the bitter relationship between Manchester United and Real Madrid would be further worsened. Thus, even if Manchester United were to sell Cristiano earlier, they would change their mind. I liken this act of stupidity to the Robinho deal a few months ago. Chelsea posted a picture of a jersey with Robinho's name on their club website before the deal was official, and Real changed their mind and sold Robinho to Manchester City instead.

Furthermore, i feel that Cristiano should not move to Real Madrid as Manchester United was the double champions last season, and Real was only Champions of the Spanish Primera Liga. It was at Old Trafford that Cristiano evolved from an inexperienced but gifted player into a mature and really good player.

Meanwhile, away from the press and in Japan, the Red Devils are currently playing the Fifa world club cup. During the 5-3 win over the Gamba Osaka to book a place in the finals, Cristiano Ronaldo headed the second goal of the game and was "full of action and spirit", maybe to prove his commitment and contradict claims that he would be moving on to another club.
In his own words, "I don't care what people are saying. I have not read it. I am here in Japan and I know nothing about what is going on around me. But I am very happy playing for Manchester United."

ShiYa