Reports coming out of England on Sunday November 2, 2008, suggest that Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to pay £150,000 per week to keep Cristiano Ronaldo playing for the Red Devils until 2014.

Ronaldo is currently under contract with Manchester which pays him £120,000 per week until 2012, but could buy out his contract at the end of the season according to Fifa´s new rules.

Ferguson has stated that he wants Ronaldo to remain at Old Trafford,  and has reportedly instructed Manchester United brass to work on a new deal to keep Ronaldo playing for the Reds for the next several years.

Ferguson has also stated that he believes that Cristiano will probably equal his goal output from last year.

Reports coming out of England and Spain are suggesting that Real Madrid is seeking a payment from Cristiano Ronaldo in the sum of £17million, after Ronaldo’s recent announcement that he will be staying at Old Trafford

The Spanish Champions are claiming that Ronaldo signed a contract with a clause that would compensate Real Madrid with the large sum if Ronaldo did not play for them this season.

Reports also claim that Real Madrid will forgive the fee if Ronaldo plays for Los Merengues next summer.

Although relations between Manchester United and Real Madrid are strained at best, the possibility of Ronaldo moving to Spain next year seems to be inevitable, as Ronaldo has the opportunity to buy out his contract under FIFA’S new rules.

It is well known that the Red Devils will not like to see Ronaldo moving to Real Madrid any time soon, but the Europeon champs may not have much of a say in the matter.

The never ending transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a dramatic turn of events with Sir Alex Ferguson’s threat to leave the Red Devils, should Ronaldo leave for Real Madrid.

Amidst the constant speculation of Ronaldo leaving for Spain, Manchester United have continuously stated that they will not sell the young Portugal football star, however Real Madrid are still confident that they can land Cristiano in a record breaking transfer deal.

In what is portrayed as a last ditch effort to hold onto Ronaldo, Ferguson reportedly made a statement that he will leave the Red Devils with whom he has been with for 22 years.

“If Ronaldo leaves, I’m going too,” the Scot is quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca.

Ferguson has a reputation of playing the media to his benefit, and these comments, if indeed correct would most likely be a calculated effort to pressure Ronaldo into staying at Old Trafford out of guilt.

None of these comments which were reported by Spanish media ‘Marca’ are substantiated, and therefore, could be Real Madrid’s way of causing turmoil amidst Manchester United brass and players alike.

Manchester united players celebrate as the referee blows the final whistle of the Champions League game versus Barcelona at Old Trafford.  The Red Devils went on to meet Chelsea in the Finals and were victorious.

Former Manchester United captain and current Sunderland manager, Roy Keane has spoken out on the Cristiano Ronaldo “slavery” comment by Sepp Blatter, but probably not how many United faithful would wish.

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter caused a lot of controversy last week when he told English media that United’s refusal to sell Ronaldo to Real Madrid along with threats of punishing him for being disloyal to the club, was the same as ‘modern day slavery’.

Keane told ‘The Sun’ that Cristiano Ronaldo should piss off Fergie if he wants to leave the Red Devils.

“If a player wants to leave, all he has to do is train with the wrong attitude and I guarantee you’d piss off any manager,” Keane said in The Sun.

“There’s not much loyalty left in football, unfortunately, from my own experiences. Clubs sell players sometimes like a piece of meat, so if a player wants to go and better himself, good luck to him.

“When a club is finished with you, they get rid. My advice is look after yourself,”

“If you get a chance for bigger and better things, then go for it. I’ve experienced that myself.

“People question players’ loyalty. I question clubs’ loyalty. It’s a business to them.

“If you’re not needed then you can be out of the door in 10 minutes, and I’m speaking from experience. Clubs buy and sell players. Clubs sell players sometimes like a piece of meat.”

The Spanish sports newspaper,’Marca’ reported on Wednesday that Manchester United are ready to deal Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

According to ‘Marca’, the Glazer family who bought the Red Devils in 2004, feel that it would be too risky to keep Ronaldo. They feel that his value may decrease if they hold onto the Portuguese winger and are therefore considering the deal.

Close sources to the parties involved, have said that Real Madrid are willing to pay Manchester United 85 million euros for Ronaldo, who still has 4 years left on his contract with the Reds.

The rumor of a transfer began after Ronaldo stated to Spanish media that he wanted to play for Real Madrid.

Carlos Queiroz has been confirmed as the next Portugal manager.

Queiroz signed a four year deal which will take him into the next Euro Championship in 2012.

This news comes as a further blow to Manchester United, as Queiroz is well known for his relationship with the players, especially Cristiano Ronaldo, who Manchester United are also on the verge of losing.

Queiroz arrived at Old Trafford in 2002 to much criticism from  English media, but soon made his mark on the club for bringing attacking style football  to the Red Devils.

Queiroz left Old Trafford in 2003 to manage Real Madrid, but was unsuccessful, and returned to Old Trafford.

Queiroz is well thought of in Portugal, after he successfully coached Portugal’s under 20’s to two world cups in 1989 and 1991.

An unsuspected turn of events has surfaced regarding the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga, after his sister, Elma Aveiro announced to the Sun that Cristiano wants to remain at Old Trafford after all.

“Cristiano wants to keep playing at Manchester United,” Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, told the Sun. “Real Madrid keep making very strong advances for him. There is a lot of speculation in the newspapers all the time about where he will go and what he is doing but we know who he really is and what he is really up to. He wants to stay at United.”

There has been much speculation on where Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing next season, after he had admitted to Spanish media that his dream is to play for Spanish giants, Real Madrid. There has been amounting controversy on Cristiano’s intentions and ‘loyalty’ to the Red Devils, since that interview was given by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speculation will undoubtedly continue to grow until an announcement has been made on Ronaldo’s future. Until then, nothing will be written in stone and the controversy will continue to grow.

“Without a shadow of a doubt he’s the best player in the world at the moment,” Brown told Manchester United’s official website.

“He’s taken his game to a different level and I’m sure he’ll get more goals this season. I’m just glad he’s on our side.”

“Even for his team-mates, it’s exciting to watch him when he gets on the ball because you know there’s a chance something’s going to happen, whether it’s him setting up a goal or scoring one. He’s capable of producing something out of nothing.”

source…

Cristiano Ronaldo7.com has decided to put together summary of the Manchester vs Barcelona game because we noticed a lack of information on the net. What information is out there, seems to be an ‘I hate Cristiano Ronaldo because….’ rant. We think that we can do a much better job. Here’s how we saw it.

Below is a video of the best parts of the game…

Manchester United started the game without Rooney and Vidic due to injury.

Thierry Henry did not start for Barcelona which was a shock to many due to Henry’s record versus the Red Devils while playing for Arsenal. Henry had scored 9 times on 18 outings versus the Red Devils while playing for the gunners.

Barcelona came out fighting, once again retaining the higher percentage of ball possession. At the 30 second mark of the game, Paul Scholes trips Lionel Messi just outside the United box. The free kick which was awarded to Barcelona struck the United wall.

At the 13 minute mark, Paul Scholes strikes to put Manchester United in the lead after Cristiano Ronaldo pressures the Barcelona defense and forces a give away just outside the box.

At the 19 minute mark, Lionel Messi carries the ball from midfield and forces United Goalkeeper, Van Der Sar to make a good save from a shot taken just outside the box. One minute later, J.S. Park misses a great opportunity to put United in front by two, after Cristiano Ronaldo sets him up outside the Barcelona box. His shot was wide of the goal.

At the 28 minute mark, United again came close to striking after a Barcelona give away. Tevez’ shot was pushed away by Barcelona Goalkeeper, Valdes. Five minutes later, Owen Hargreaves fails to pick up his man. Deco strikes, but the ball flies over the crossbar.

At the 36 minute mark, Deco again has an opportunity to equalize, but his shot is wide of the goal. Eight minutes later, Barcelona is awarded a free kick 29 meters from the net, but the free kick is headed wide of the goal by a Barcelona player.

The first half ends in a 1-0 lead for United.

The second half started with Barcelona putting the pressure on, but the Red Devils held their ground. At the 55 minute mark of the game, Lionel Messi once again carried the ball near the box, but his shot was wide of the goal. One minute later, United player, Carlos Tevez fails to put the Red Devils ahead by two goals after a brilliant set up by Cristiano Ronaldo. Valdes makes a great save.

At the 59 minute mark, Barcelona makes their first substitution, by replacing Iniesta with Thierry Henry. Just seconds after Barcelona’s substitution, Nani strikes the ball over the net after turning Barcelona defenders inside out.

62 minutes in, Michael Carrick fouls Messi 32 meters from united goal, but Deco’s free kick is deflected just wide of the net by United defenders.

67 minute mark, Cristiano Ronaldo receives yellow card for a foul on Zambrotta.

At the 70 minute mark, Barcelona makes their second substitution by replacing Eto’o with 17 year old, Bojan Krkic. Two minutes later, Lionel Messi makes a dangerous pass into the United box, but Xavi fails to connect with the pass.

At the 75 minute mark, Ferguson makes his first and second substitution of the night by bringing in Giggs for Nani and Fletcher for Scholes.

Thierry Henry had his first chance of the night to strike at the 77 minute mark of the game with a close range header, but Van Der Sar made the save. Three minutes later, Henry shoots again, but the ball rolls wide.

A flurry by Barcelona breaks out in the United box at the 88 minute mark, but United defenders kick the ball away. As a result, Patrice Evra who had been a rock for the Red Devils the entire night, appears to be injured and is carried off the pitch. Ferguson immediately replaces Evra with Silvestre.

The game ends in Victory for Manchester United after 6 minutes of added time due to the Evra injury.

Manchester United await the victors of tomorrow’s game between Chelsea and Liverpool.

It looks like Cristiano Ronaldo’s prediction came true, United will be going on to the finals in Moscow on May 21, 2008. It will be an all English final.