Manchester United Thread

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'United will sell Ron for ?85million'

CRISTIANO RONALDO is heading for a showdown with Alex Ferguson amid claims Manchester United will sell their star for ?85million.

Reports in Spain yesterday insisted United's chief executive David Gill had quoted Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ?85m for the winger.

But Ronaldo, on holiday in Los Angeles, will have to put in a transfer request and tell United boss Fergie eye-to-eye that he wants to quit Old Trafford for the Bernabeu.

Ferguson flew out to Lisbon last summer to persuade Ronaldo, 24, to stay with the Red Devils after a summer in which the player pushed for a move to Madrid.

But Fergie will not go chasing the player this time - and the meeting will be on his terms back in Manchester.

Once again, he will try to talk him round.

But the growing feeling is that if a world-record bid comes in and the player is again adamant he wants out, then a deal will be done.

SunSport revealed before the Champions League final that Ronaldo had told close friends he wanted a new challenge.

The Portugal ace is now relishing the chance to be part of the revival at Real under returning club president Perez.

Even though Perez has already splashed ?62m on Kaka from AC Milan, he is willing to smash that world transfer figure again for Ronaldo.

[andy4]

after watching last nights match seeing rooney play superb (i no it wuz only andorra) that must be his best position
so shudn't fergie start playing him there for utd instead of wide left/right (i no fergie as to look after utd) but if we've any chance of winning world cup nxt yr everthing must revolve round rooney....so common fergie help the english for once

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Ronaldo: It?s historic deal

CRISTIANO RONALDO last night branded his world-record ?80million move to Real Madrid "historic".

But while the 24-year-old celebrated in Los Angeles, he was also exposed as a two-faced winker by the man who masterminded the deal.

Ronaldo said: "I have had my time at Man United. It's time to look forward and ?80m is quite a sum of money. This deal is historic."

However former Real president Ramon Calderon insisted Ronaldo agreed to go more than SIX MONTHS ago.

The revelation makes a sham of the Portugal winger's repeated claims that he was going to stay at United.

Calderon said: "It was easy. We agreed everything and he decided to come."

He also claims United knew all about the deception and added: "Let's say it was a gentleman's agreement.

"Let's say that everyone involved in the operation agreed to do it this season. That is what I can say. It has happened now, it was a bit early last season."

Ronaldo got the news that his transfer to Real had been confirmed after being out clubbing all night in Los Angeles where he is on holiday.

Speaking from his hotel room, Ronaldo said: "It's flattering when two of the top teams in the world want you to play for them.

"Now I can look forward to Real Madrid and a new stage in my career. I learned of the deal here in LA and heard from my people that United had accepted."

Ronaldo has been troubled by a hernia injury but said: "I do not require surgery. The hernia is nothing to worry about."

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has warned United they will struggle to replace Ronaldo.

Sparky, twice shown the Old Trafford exit door as a player, said of Ron's departure: "You will never compensate fully unless you replace him like for like. That is very difficult to do."

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Ronopoly money

CRISTIANO Ronaldo is set to double his money and rake in a staggering ?100MILLION by moving to Real Madrid.

Manchester United will net a colossal ?80million fee as Ronaldo becomes the world's most expensive footballer.

But the real winner will be the 24-year-old Portuguese goal ace.

He will be paid about ?225,000 a week, meaning his basic earnings over five years will be nearly ?60million.

His pre-contract deal also includes an option for a further year worth more than ?13million.

And Ronaldo could scoop a further ?30million in profits from his clothing company CR9, which will be endorsed by Real Madrid.

[radioham]

His clothing company is CR7.Cheers chas.

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Man Utd start against Birmingham

Manchester United will begin the defence of their Premier League title at home to newly promoted Birmingham.

Carlo Ancelotti's first game in charge at Chelsea will be against Hull at Stamford Bridge as the campaign gets under way on the weekend of August 15.

Liverpool open at Tottenham while Arsenal face Everton at Goodison Park.

Wolves play West Ham at Molineux and Burnley visit Stoke on their return to the top flight before facing Manchester United at Turf Moor 18 August.

Big-spending Manchester City make the journey to Blackburn on the opening day before hosting Everton at Eastlands on 19 August.

New Wigan boss Roberto Martinez starts his reign at Aston Villa, while Bolton are at home to Steve Bruce's Sunderland and Portsmouth meet Fulham at Fratton Park.

Manchester United have to wait until the end of the month before they play one of the top four clubs as they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on 29 August, with the return fixture at the Emirates on 30 January.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side visit Anfield to play Liverpool on 24 October and last season's runners-up are at Old Trafford on 20 March. Chelsea are the last of the other top four sides to face United when they play the champions at Stamford Bridge on 7 November, with the return fixture on 3 April.

Last season's losing Champions League finalists close the season at home to Stoke on 9 May, while Liverpool finish their season at Hull on 9 May.

Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge on October 3, while Chelsea travel to Anfield on 1 May.

Wolves fans will be looking forward to a December 15 trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United and a home fixture against the champions on March 6, while fellow top-flight newcomers Birmingham play the champions at St Andrews on 9 January.

Video highlights of every game in the Football League and SPL next season will be available on the BBC Sport website, for UK users.

[alker ranger]

Tevez decides to leave utd, sad to see him go, Utd offer ?25.5 mill and 5 year contract, cant see what else they could have done to keep him. Good luck Carlos

[krazylegz]

Tevez decides to leave utd, sad to see him go, Utd offer ?25.5 mill and 5 year contract, cant see what else they could have done to keep him. Good luck Carlos

play him more

he is leaving for one reason and one reason only, he wasnt played played anywhere near enough last season, hes just sick of life on the bench, even after scoring crucial winning goals the next match he was back on the bench.

[alker ranger]

play him more

he is leaving for one reason and one reason only, he wasnt played played anywhere near enough last season, hes just sick of life on the bench, even after scoring crucial winning goals the next match he was back on the bench.

I think with ronaldo leaving teves would have played more next season, imo its down to money he was asking to be highest paid player, having said that i would rather it was berbatov going instead of teves.

[radioham]

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Cheers Chas.

[fordie999]

I think with ronaldo leaving teves would have played more next season, imo its down to money he was asking to be highest paid player, having said that i would rather it was berbatov going instead of teves.

slugatov is mint whats your problem?

[red devil]

I think with ronaldo leaving teves would have played more next season, imo its down to money he was asking to be highest paid player, having said that i would rather it was berbatov going instead of teves.

spot on m8 couldnt agree more

[lfc4life]

~~~~ing hell!!!! sky sports news segment about ronaldo ! really irritating ! aaaarrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh

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FERGIE'S ?45M SERGIO SWOOP

MANCHESTER United have targeted Atletico Madrid?s ?45m striker Sergio Aguero.

Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his sights on the young Argentine star after giving up on Valencia?s David Villa, who is expected to join Real Madrid.

Aguero ? nicknamed Kun ? has scored 37 leeague goals in the last two years for Atletico and is only still 21.

Chelsea have already made contact over the talented striker, but were put off by his ?200,000-a-week wage demands.

But Fergie is hoping that Aguero will lower those as he would get the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

The ?80m United will get for Cristiano Ronaldo is starting to burn a hole in Fergie?s pocket.

United would be prepared to offer Aguero, who is married to Diego Maradona?s daughter, a five year deal at ?120,000 a week, but again hope the lure of Old Trafford would be enough to attract him.

Atletico?s president Enrique Cerezo has made it clear recently that the club would be willing to listen to ?interesting? offers for their star player.

As well as Chelsea, Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan is also interested in the player as he expects to lose Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But Fergie is believed to want to open negotiations with Atletico and the player?s advisers as soon as possible.

He obviously feels the striker will be perfect for the Premier League and an ideal replacement for Carlos Tevez, who Aguero won an Olympic gold alongside.

[ruudvandan]

Aguero is without doubt a top class player, but he is not the type of striker United need. Like Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov he likes to drop deep. We need an out-an-out striker.