Gerard Pique Grateful To Sir Alex And Manchester United

Ex Manchester United defender Gerard Pique who now plays for Barcelona has paid tribute to his former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pique, speaking to La Marca, admitted he owes so much to Ferguson and said: "I learned to be a full-time footballer at United and how to do everything. I also learned that in the dressing room that while the joking and laughter are great, once you are out on the pitch, the fun stops because you must be at a very high level".

Pique also believes there are more off-field temptations in the Catalan capital. He said: "In Barcelona and in Spanish football generally there are more things that can distract a player but I will learn to cope with that. When I decided to leave Barcelona it was very hard, but the choice was mine. There was a risk that I might never be able to return but now I am back I will give everything I can to the team." .....Back To Home Page

Ronaldo Hinting He May Stay With United Next Year

Manchester United fans can breathe a little easier after Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he sees himself staying at Old Trafford next season. He was at the centre of this summer's longest-running transfer saga as Spanish giants Real Madrid sought to prise the Portugal superstar away from United.

Ronaldo revealed at the time that he was keen to play for Madrid, but ultimately announced he was going to stay with United for "another year at least". I never expected that to be the final word on the matter though, with the assumption that Madrid - and possibly other clubs - would make a renewed bid for Ronaldo next summer.
However, the likelihood of the former Sporting Lisbon player leaving Old Trafford in the next 12 months appears to have become a little more remote following comments Ronaldo made in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca. When asked where he was going to play next season, Ronaldo said: "Only God knows the future. I insist that I am a Manchester United player and now I think that next year I will continue here."

Ronaldo admitted United manager Sir Alex Ferguson played a huge part in his decision to commit his immediate future to the Red Devils following this summer's transfer speculation.

"He has been a key person. I respect him a lot, because it was him who signed me and he has played a very important part in all that I have won," said Ronaldo, who met with Ferguson in July in Portugal to discuss his future. In Lisbon I reached an agreement with him and it was decided that the best thing for all was to continue. He listened to my arguments and I listened to his. Now I understand that it was the correct decision. I am with Manchester United body and soul."

Ronaldo's comments, which appeared in the second part of a lengthy interview with Marca on Sunday, were published just two days after Madrid president Ramon Calderon insisted his club's pursuit of Ronaldo was officially over. When asked to comment on the possibility of one day down the line playing for Madrid, Ronaldo added: "I'm a Manchester United player. I want to respect this club, my team-mates and the fans, and I prefer not to talk of other teams at this moment."

Calderon reiterated his club's stance on BBC Radio Five Live Sportsweek programme on Sunday morning that the saga is in the past.

"He is playing in Manchester. It's something that's been closed. Manchester didn't want to sell the player - we can't do anything. It's not our intention to get in trouble with any club. Manchester is one of the biggest clubs in the world and we want to have a good relationship. In fact I have a good relationship with (United chief executive) David Gill. We will not do anything against them. I don't see any way of doing it even at the end of the season. We tried in a friendly way last summer but Manchester was very clear. They didn't want to sell the player and that's all. For us it's something that's over now. You never know what life is going to say in the future but it's not our intention. I have to say very clearly that Real Madrid wants to have a very good relationship with Manchester - to not disturb them with signings that Manchester do not want to accept."

Madrid were not the only club to be linked with move for Ronaldo this summer, with United's neighbours Manchester City reportedly weighing up a mega-money bid for the winger. However, Ronaldo cannot see himself swapping the red of United for the blue of City, saying:

"No, it hasn't crossed my mind. I can't imagine one day leaving United to go to City." .....Back To Home Page

Mijatovic: "Real Madrid's Bid For United's Cristiano Ronaldo Was No Failure".

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water Real Madrid and their bizarrely ill informed Sports Director Pedja Mijatovic are at it again. Talking about Ronaldo. Guess who they were "talking" to ? You got it, good old Marca !!!

"Real Madrid did not "fail" in their bid to land Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo", insists sports director Pedja Mijatovic.

Mijatovic told Marca: “We had a big wish to sign him and our economic situation would have allowed it but we met with Manchester United and they didn’t want to speak about him and, when it’s like that, there’s nothing you can do.

“I don’t think it was a failure not to have signed him. We did everything possible to make him come.

“If Cristiano had had a release clause he would be here.”

Do these idiots ever shut up and let the past go ?

What Does Marca Really Mean ?

It would seem the good reliable source of footballing news
based in Spain (Marca) are at it again.

They are now reporting, quite confidently, that at the start
of next week negotiations will begin between Real Madrid
and Manchester United over the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Marca are also insisting that the information came from a
source close to the Glazer family insisting they had been
told the Glazers "have agreed to the operation".

A family spokesman for the Glazers actually went to M.E.N
Sport to put the record straight saying

“It is absolute nonsense. The family completely
maintains their original stance and that is that
Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale.

"There have been no developments as far as we are concerned. There has been
absolutely nothing said from this end.”

On top of the fact he is not for sale there has also been rumours spreading from the Real Madrid
dressing room of discontent at the amount of money Ronaldo will be earning if he does go there.
If the guys are getting restless now when the news is just idle rumour, imagine the uproar if he
did go turn up - on £200,000 a week !!

It seems Wesley Schneider is the starter of these rumours of unrest:

“It would be bad for the dressing room because he would earn better wages than
the rest of the squad,” said Sneijder. “It wouldn’t be a problem to me but some
team-mates wouldn’t fancy it. Here we have players like him, Arjen Robben and
Robinho for example.

“For sure I want to play with Cristiano but the dressing room’s harmony has to be
maintained,” Sneijder added.

“For me, this Madrid side do not need new signings,” said Sneijder.

“In the last few matches last year we were very solid and the team have grown a
lot.”

This whole episode is becoming a thorn in the side of so many people. I can't understand why he
didn't just wait two years when he would be halfway through his contract and then broker a deal.

This is just causing unrest and upset in too many corners.

If he does stay however, he needs to stay strong because I have visions of Pete Boyle turning up
at Old Trafford with a good few songs about slaves to taunt him with !!!

So what does Marca really mean - Member of the Assembly of Ridiculous Chatting Ass...........

Hmmmmm .... maybe !!