The 80-million-pound man

Did we see it coming? Yes we did. United fans were not surprised at all. We have all foreseen the day coming. The Portugese No.7 of Old Trafford is finally gonna trade his red shirt for a Real Madrid white this time. Last year's double celebration was already dampened by his wantaway cries. United fans have certainly not forgotten that. Better now than later. It's an immense loss of talent and it will create a a huge void like those left by Schmeichel, van Nistelrooy and Keane in the past. Nevertheless, I don't see why United should keep a player that is not ready to dedicate for its cause. The quality of those players can never be emulated perfectly but life still goes on and Man Utd still marches on with its cup and league victories.

After securing the signature of Kaka for 59 million British pounds, Real Madrid launched an audacious bid of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo to which Man Utd accepted. Fergie had repeatedly said that he will not sell in the past but I have a feeling that the mounting debt by the Glazers and the rebellious attitude of Portugese himself have contributed to the acceptance of the bid by the higher authorities. It makes business sense too to buy for 12 million and sell for 80 million. To celebrate his move to Madrid, Ronaldo spent the night partying away with Paris Hilton. So much for loyalty huh. Like Heinze, he should have wondered where he would have been if not for Fergie's guidance. He should have wondered how he would get his 42 goals if his teammates had not worked hard to assist him. He should have wondered how Fergie stuck by him when the whole of England hated him to the core for screwing Wayne up in the World Cup. Cantona and Beckham left on a remembrance and fond note by the United fans. But I can't help feeling that the way Ronaldo responded to his transfer reeks of an ingrate.

Real Madrid had spent 139 million British pounds on just 2 players. Where in the world did Perez get so much money? I thought that Man City were the only one currently doing these ludricous sums. The transfer market is going on the mode of hyper-inflation. Man City would follow suit with more ridiculous bids. United will definitely splash at least more than 30 million for a superstar. Soon, we will be paying 30 million pounds to transfer Titus Bramble and Boumsong to their new clubs. It certainly sounds like bad news for the fans. Higher prices for match tickets, TV subscription, jerseys and merchandises. Gosh, supporting a football club these days is even more expensive than maintaining a car.

What now for Man Utd? Yes, we may never find another person to fill in the big shoes that Ron had left behind on the right wing but overall, I see it more as a blessing in disguise. Rooney will now have the opportunity to play upfront in the center and unleash his true talent as opposed to being overshadowed by the need to put Ronaldo upfront in the past. Just look at Rooney in his England jersey and that's the lethal touch that Rooney posesses if he's given more chances to be at the center striking position. The best thing is that Rooney is also one person that I'll see in Manchester for a very long time. Other than that, perhaps it's also time that Nani prove to the United fans that he's gonna be more consistent in his delivery if he were to be given more chances. And maybe Carlos will get to stay afterall, if he wants to, that is. The 80 million kitty is sure helpful to rebuild a squad that has ageing vanguards like Giggs, Scholes and Neville. That is where losing one big star man for a couple of smaller but more dedicated stars makes rational football management. It's a good opportunity for United to steer away from the dangerous path of a one-man team and this is something Arsenal has not being able to cope up since the departure of Henry.

Oh well, farewell Ron. Man Utd fans are thankful to him for all his contributions to the club but life at Old Trafford will still go on. The 08/09 season was more of a collective effort by the team rather than the dominant display by Ron in the 07/08 season. It's a good benchmark. It shows that the team can still do well without him. Not only that, the dressing room is finally getting some peace instead of having all the speculations that kept floating around. I sure do hope Fergie spends that 80 million kitty well. It's time to prepare for life without CR7.