Well that's certainly a surprise, to me at least. Got home hoping for some positive transfer news(me being a muppet. No games to look forward to), and got that big headline crashing my face. It's not a pleasant feeling at all, even with the big sum they will give us. Here we have the best player in the world, and he's leaving us when arguably his best is still ahead of him. But nothing last forever, and he does help us win lots of things in his not so short time here. He's been here what, 6 years already? Not bad for a foreigner. Good luck to him, hope Real won't win much though.

<muppet mode>
Looks like we'll have to reshape our game plan with him leaving. He was our main goal scorer, and we setup the team to suit his style, now surely we're going back to having wingers that provide more and strikers that want to actually score.

Ribery would do nicely. We'll have to use half of the money we got for Ronaldo to get him though. But he would be a great replacement. That Bayern someone(one of their bosses) said we made an enquiry about him a while back, but that the transfer would be dependent on where Ronaldo would be. There must have been something going on I guess, and in the next month or so we'll hear more about these Ribery stuff.

Now rumours are Huntelaar offered to us? For around 10-15m, I think I would snap him up. Not the greatest of strikers, but with Rooney and Berbatov already here, he would be a good option to have. His goalscoring ability ain't that bad, and that's what we're missing. Would be a good replacement for Tevez, not the player, but rather the options that he would give us would be better compared to if we sign Tevez instead.

I would be very pleased with those.. don't mind a midfield monster as well thrown in if possible.
<muppet mode off>

We still have a great squad. We lose one of our best players, and maybe Tevez as well, but the others will still be here. Great players have left us before, and we coped just fine. I'm sure we can do the same again, if the right personnel is brought in to replace those that left, Ronaldo especially. We're kinda weak on the wings. We have good players there, but due to a number of reasons, they don't really deliver. Giggs not a winger anymore, Nani still learning how to crawl, Park being Park good mostly but lack that cutting edge a regular for a team like us should have and Tosic is learning how to walk.

It's not about SAF showing his power. It's about being sensible and thinking what's best for the team. Ronaldo have what, 2-3 years left in his contract? He probably wouldn't agree on a new deal should we make ono. His price will only get lower from now on. Now is the time to cash in. It would be different if we can convince him to stay on for another 2-3 seasons and sign a new deal, but obviously that wasn't the case with him asking to leave. Not a great decision from us, but probably best in the long run for us. We get good money for him, and we'll try and move on.

Not a bad deal.. but we still have to find someone to replace him on the wing, and his goalscoring ability.

Maybe we'll struggle a bit if Nani keeps playing as he did last season, and we only sign a 'decent' winger(Valencia) as Ronaldo's replacement. But surely now our eyes are onto Ribery, who probably would be better for the strikers. I think we'll cope just fine. Last two seasons he becomes more of a free scoring midfielder rather than an actual winger. Get someone to actually be a winger and able to provide consistently, we're all set for an exciting season.

Please let it be Ribery..

Rooney was stuck on the wing because other than Ronaldo, the others just aren't good enough on a consistent basis, except for Park, who while good, doesn't do that much damage to the opposition.

Stick Rooney upfront, get a good backup(Huntelaar/this level) for him and Berba, get Ribery and we're set. Another CM would be nice. Just forget about Benz. We'll have the same problem like Tevez had end of next season. Also don't forget Welbeck and Macheda is around. Have high hopes for Welbeck. Think he's gonna be a bit special. Those dribbles he made against Hull..

Right move in what way? He move there because that's the club he loves, not because he's thinking he will make another step up. He was already in the best(one of) side in the world for the last 2-3 seasons. I find your post truly bizarre.

Ribery.. Ribery.. Ribery.. better than Manucho!
We will have another hero. Would even overshadow Manucho. He's that good.

Can I have the next Magnum/Toto/'kuda' magic numbers please..

Berba is already a very good player, Ando right now is already good, just need to step up which would come with age, and Nani just need another brain and add a bit of consistency in his game.

Why should we sell Berba? We're not Benitez who sign players for fun every season only to sell them off only after a season, or in Robbie Keane's case, half a season. While he didn't really play as well as he could, I thought he had a good season. Better than Tevez for me. Our attacking side just didn't show enough last season, it was almost all our defence holding on most of the season.

Why is that? Do explain.

As for your comments on the other thread.. please. Would you feel happy about a player asking to leave your club? Don't be an idiot and just assume things. We love him here.. who wouldn't, but when a player ask to leave, that bridge is burnt instantly. If you read any ManUtd forums, ever since that wink he gave to the cameras in the World Cup after Rooney was sent off, a lot of people already hate him because after that incident he wanted to leave us using that as an excuse. Now that he finally got his wish, not many people wish him well, which would be the same for you if someone from your team ask to leave.

Another thing, if you don't want to discuss stuff, don't post. If all you want to do is just post stupid one liner that don't explain stuff, do leave.

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Added on June 12, 2009, 1:48 pmHe supports Real probably.. that's why he doesn't understand what loyal means. Change managers every season, buy players and ship them off after a season.. thank god for Raul and Cassilas.

This post has been edited by Wan: Jun 12 2009, 01:48 PM

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer already took Beckham's place in Beckham's last season with us, alternating with him in that wonderful season. 4231, Ole-Scholes-Giggs behind Ruud. That was awesome. Ole providing goals and crosses.. too bad he got injured around October after Beckham left. Don't forget we also almost got Ronaldinho then. That would have been a fine replacement for Beckham, even if they play in different positions. From then on we got to rely on Ronaldo and Fletcher there on the right.

While I think Nani will be a very good winger, he's not on the same level as Ronaldo was at the same age. No chance in hell he will be as good as Ronaldo. But he will be a great winger once he learns how to use his brain more. This might be a chance for him to step up.. but he has to do it from the first game next season.. if not then say bye bye.

If we want someone to track back, we can always use Park there. It's because Park doesn't have that spark and while Nani have that, he's not consistent(shit most of last season).

3(or was it 2?) years left on his contract. We could keep him no problem, but then his value will probably be half end of this season. Think he could also buy out his own contract for far less.

Well, Ronaldo was always dreaming of Spain as a kid. It's no shock that he loves to play for one of the giants there. Players from that part are all like that.

I guess that Figo to Real transfer didn't happen a while back. So much for no player leaving Barca.. and also don't forget Ronaldo to Inter. That didn't happen too I guess. But carry on..

Like I said before, you don't experience it before, you won't undertand a thing. A player ask to leave, he's like a traitor. I wouldn't expect you to understand it. I'm not bringing that up again. But it's true though, since that first time he asked to leave, people already hate him, but because he's still here, he's still one of us. Now that he's gone, he's not one of us anymore..

I understand why Ronaldo wanted to go there, but still the will I go or not thing which came up every season sure to sour his reputation and standing among most people. It's no surprise people don't wish him well. Just look at Gerrard when he almost join Chelsea. People burnt his jersey..

People have their own view on that. Most people hate him, but for me not so much. I'm disappointed he chose to leave now, but to me that's his decision. He gave us 6 great years, and now good luck to him. Hope Real don't win a thing though.

As much as we hate them, we got to think about the big picture. He won't sign another contract that's for sure, and that's why I guess we accept the bid this time. We won't get as much let's say if Real decided to try again next season. Hopefully that Ljajic will be something special..

Huh? Fletcher & Park=Consistent. They're just not as good as a 1st teamer for us should be. Anderson started playing like himself again late in the season, will be a monster. As for Nani.. last 2 seasons? He was very good season before last.

You're talking as though we have an average squad, when throughout the season people have been banging on about this being the best squad ever. Sure we lost Ronaldo, but we still have a very good team. Giggsy and Scholes didn't play that much. Don't you forget that last 3 seasons they almost won everything. Even with O'Shea-Giggs in the middle we were the 2nd best team in the league. I have no worry whatsoever about the future. It's in place already, although we're missing Ronaldo this time. But a Ribery will fix that. Might not bring what Ronaldo does for the team, but he is a great winger. With the right gameplan that suits the team, we'll be there at the top again.

Anderson=Scholes
Giggsy=Nani(just need regular games, and a brain)
Rio=Evans
VDS=Foster(with a defence as good as ours, it won't be worrisome)

They are maybe not like for like, but did we ever replace Schmeichel, Keane, Stam, Beckham, Ruud?

Sure we all love fairytale stuff, buying unknown and turning them to stars.. but this is the best period we've had, probably. We are dominating the scenes, and on course to dominate for another 2-3 seasons. Now that we lose one of the best players in the world, we should replace him with someone of similar capability. We're not in transition where we can wait for someone to grow into a star. Ronaldo took 3 seasons to be that world beater.. if we wait, we might lose this chance of winning another couple of CL.

We need a winger. As good as Park have been, he shouldn't be a regular for our side. Now that Ronaldo is gone, it's even more apparent. Nani will be a very good winger, but until then, people will be disappointed in him. Tosic is an unknown at this point in time.. might be a less busier Park, but with more technical ability. Talking about unknown, I think that Ljajic will be a future star.

Let's not tarnish him too much. Sure we hate him because he chose to leave, but let's not go overboard. Sure he's not loyal, but only a fool would expect him to stay his whole career here. Cockiness.. see Cantona, respect.. Keane strangle Phil on the pitch in the middle of the game once.

Sure when he sees the goal, he would try them all the time, but it's the same for all strikers. Are they pure solo fighter?

Rooney was sacrificed because the other wingers we have aren't good enough(form, ability) to play there. That's why for some games we see Rooney there.

This post has been edited by Wan: Jun 12 2009, 05:10 PM

He will stay there till he's not wanted anymore. He stayed with us for 6 years. You talk as if he's unstable like Anelka or something who change clubs every few years. What would happen if we bench Rooney for quite sometimes? He will smile to the cameras on the bench and talk to the press saying everything is fine?

We'll buy Valencia(the player, not club), and the internet would explode. I know I won't be too happy with that. But looks like SAF is interested according to Wigan's chairman(Dave Whelan)..

Would you guys be happy with that?

He's no better than Nani for me, although right now he's far more consistent.

Everyone hate being subbed or didn't play. Ronaldo is no different.
Well, he stayed 6 years with us.. that's not short at all.

We lose Keano midway through a season once. And just after that we also had to make do without Scholes who got an eye injury and had to rely on O'Shea-Giggsy in central midfield. We were the most inform team of that period(2nd half of the season). Some might say that if there were a few more games after the final game that season, we would won the league instead of Chelsea. We lose Ruud after that season and didn't replace him. We only brought Carrick, and we went on to win the league the following season. Since then we've strengthen the squad further and have one of the strongest squad in the world. Just because we lose one guy, doesn't mean it will all fall apart. Have a bit of faith and not be so gloomy.

As for the bolded part, the league is only 38 games long. Either you get the most points and win the league, or you don't. Liverpool didn't and we did, despite not playing at our best throughout the season. Even if there were a few more games, who's to say they won't falter at the end because of injuries/lost of form/or just a blip, and we went on to win all the games?

This post has been edited by Wan: Jun 12 2009, 11:28 PM

Surely that 80m didn't play a role at all. It's just a normal number. It's all because SAF wasn't happy with Ronaldo. Yeah right.

As much as I dislike Hargreaves, but the only reason he didn't play that much because he was injured, a lot. If he was fit, with the form Nani showed, the RW spot would be his last season, alternating with Park, and Ronaldo on the other side.


He got a leg break or something in those time. This time it's some tendinitis(?) problems. Probably from the medical it didn't came up, but unfortunately, its in him and it got worse here. It's just bad luck..

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Added on June 12, 2009, 11:33 pmWe got 55 points from the last 18 games, compared to Liverpool's 50 points.

didumdidumdidumdidumdidum..

This post has been edited by Wan: Jun 12 2009, 11:33 PM

Live it or not, every player have inflated price tag.

I rather see we pay a bit more to get our target than missed them just because we feel it's too expensive(obviously, not too much). 65m pounds is way too much. I wouldn't spent more than 40m for a player. Before this season I would rate Ribery around the 30m pound mark, but now it's shoot up to 40m easily, and for that amount I think we'll get him. But question mark on his personality.. change clubs far too much in short period of time. Don't like the English weather too.

How much do you think Ronaldo, Kaka, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Gerrard and the likes should cost?
Bellion was a reserve player in Sunderland, Djemba2 was in France before we bought them. Valencia is already proven in the EPL.

While I think those 3 are good players and able to deliver, I feel we need at least one more on the wing so that we would see far less of Rooney there. Valencia is around Nani's level, we should look for far better IMO. But in SAF we trust I guess.

Swap Nani+Cash with Ribery and get Valencia maybe? Just hope there's no more of that Berba bullshit like start of last season when I stayed the whole night waiting...

That argument is shit. Look at Bentley. The new Beckham when he was at Blackburn. Went to Tottenham, he went to shit. There's no guarantee a player would slot in seamlessly. Just look at our own Berba.. didn't really hit the heights consistently with us, although I don't think he's solely to blame for that.

As for the players we bought from abroad, Vida, Evra, Park, Heinze(before turn to Judas), Rafael, Anderson, Nani(very good in his first season), and also Ronaldo.. all didn't turn out too badly.

As for other teams, Agger, Reina, Torres, Kuyt(although it took a while), Alonso, Mascherano(didnt play at all while at West Ham) for Liverpool, Drogba, Essien, Carvalho, Cech and many more for Chelsea, and at Arsenal the likes of Adebayor, Van Persie, Cesc.

Just because a few fail, doesn't mean we should forget about buying foreign players. If we did, we wouldn't have Vida, Park, Evra, Anderson and Nani here.. in their time here, they've all contributed to our recent success.

This post has been edited by Wan: Jun 13 2009, 01:09 AM

You forgot Brandy..

True. We already had replacements for them in the squad in Ole and Saha(who both took their place in the side in their last season), and arguably they weren't as good as they were previously. But with Ronaldo we still have a player who still should be a few years away from his peak(and is already the best in teh world), and in the squad we have no replacement ready yet.

But who knows, with a change of system, and a couple of new signings, we'll be just as good in a different way. If we can get back to the form of 06/07, I'd be happy. More wing play please SAF.. don't even mind if we see Hargreaves playing regularly on the wing.

One of the best player in the world will leave us, and you're happy about it? Jeez.. relieved the saga is over maybe, but nobody is happy one of our best player wanted to leave us, and he got his wish.

I'm not happy at all about it. And unless we get Messi, whoever we bought will be atleast a level below. But this might be a chance for the likes of Rooney, Berba and the others to step their game up and be our main man. I'm looking forward to having two wingers actually play like proper wingers.