A few days ago, I got an sms from Raizal asking me if I were going to KL to catch Manchester United’s Asian tour. He also asked if I were going there to catch Ronaldo’s last game for United. I remember telling him, “Personally, I hope he’s gone by then.” That seems almost prophetical given the announcement of his impending move to Real Madrid. The move did not take many United fans by surprise, given how he has been lobbying for a move to Real all season. More interestingly, many people are not too bothered about him leaving the team.
Ronaldo is an awesome player. Still only 24, there are many more fantastic years ahead of him. He has not even entered his peak. Scary prospect for many opposing defenders. Therefore, why would Fergie let him go? I think it’s pretty simple. The club is in debt and it needs money to repay the loan the owners made. Football is football but a football club is a business entity and executive decisions have to be made for the benefit of the business. In the past month, two of the world’s biggest clubs, AC Milan and Man Utd have been forced to part with two of their greatest assets, Kaka and Ronaldo respectively. Liverpool fans, don’t get too happy yet. The Kop is just in much debt as the aforementioned clubs, you might see Gerrard and Torres sold in the near future as well.
Back to Ronaldo. As a United fan, it’s quite disheartening and sometimes downright irritating watching him play recently. His petulance, arrogance and childishness is conduct unbecoming of any player looking to become a legend in the game. I remember when he was subbed against Man City and he threw a tantrum for it. Fergie might have publicly announced he’s okay with it. But fans knew that Ronaldo days were numbered. Just as how Tevez’s insolence in cupping his ears in front of the bench after scoring in the same game and his comments about how United would have won the Champions League final against Barca had he started. Let’s get real, United could have fielded any possible team in that game and Barca would still have won it. Let’s not even talk about the pouting Ronaldo did in that game. A fantastic player he is but he needs to add some class to his personality.
Personally I am more worried about the day when Fergie finally decides to call time on his stellar career. That man has shown that he is capable of rebuilding teams to ensure that United dominates the English game time and time again. When Cantona left, people thought we were done. Same thing when Beckham, van Nistelrooy and Keane left the team. Still, Fergie has proved time and time again that United is bigger than any single player. I am certain the team will cope with the loss of Ronaldo. It may not be immediate but it will happen.
With a void on the right side of midfield, who will step in? Rumours are abound that United will bid for Ribery. Having his good friend Evra in the team might entice him. I think Madrid will bid for that guy as well. Imagine a midfield of Kaka, Ronaldo and Ribery supporting striker Huntelaar. Wow, fantasy football. I wonder how the current midfielders in Madrid are coping with all the competition. At least two regular midfielders would have to leave. I think Lassana Diarra is safe, being the defensive cog of the midfield. Bye bye Robben and van der Vaart…
Let’s assume that Fergie won’t be able to bring anyone in. The candidates are:
1) Park Ji-Sung: A tireless worker. Crowd favourite. Effective but doesn’t have the individual brilliance that Ronaldo has.
2) Luis Nani: Great things were expected of him when he came into the team. Great first season. Quiet second season. TIme to step up?
3) Owen Hargreaves – He can play there. If only he weren’t injured.
4) Wayne Rooney: Fergie has played him on the left. Maybe by switching him to the right, the left could be made free for…
5) ZORAN TOSIC: Nobody remembers this Serbian boy. He has been earning rave reviews for his performances in the reserves. Maybe Fergie is ready to unearth another prodigy. Let’s not forget…
6) ADEM LLAJIC: The other player who was bought together with Tosic. They were the only January purchases. They are unknowns back then. But do you remember who was the last Serbian January purchase Fergie made?
Nemanja Vidic. We all know how that turned out right?
Based on the current United team, I would like to see this team fighting for honours.
Goalkeeper: Ben Foster – give him more game time, van der Sar to be phased out.
Right Back: Wes Brown – time to put injury nightmare behind him.
Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand – duh..
Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic – double duh…
Left Back: Patrice Evra – is there any other contender?
Right Midfield: Park Ji-Sung – give him an extended run. We need his energy.
Centre Midfield: Michael Carrick – Solid.
Centre Midfield: Anderson – Promising.
Left Midfield: Nani – I think he has much to offer. Plus he and Park and interchange.
Forward: Wayne Rooney – come on, he’s a striker. Enough already.
Forward: Dimitar Berbatov – Berba will prove his critics wrong the next season.
Subs:
Tomas Kucszak
Johnny Evans
Darren Gibson
Owen Hargreaves
Kiko Macheda
This is still a young team but it is still a strong team. That said, I wouldn’t mind having Benzema and Ribery in the team. Then again, maybe Fergie has another surprise in store. Remember the year he bought Dwight Yorke from Villa?
