Transfers - Gossip Shop: Ron rumours return

Eurosport - Wed, 24 Sep 18:51:00 2008

It is like he has never been away. Cristiano Ronaldo is back scoring goals - and being linked with a move to Real Madrid.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Carling Cup Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo - 0

The Ronaldo-to-Real story is beginning to take on the kind of odour that emanates from a dirty kit bag that has been left to fester after a particularly sweaty 90 minutes in the pouring rain on a pitch covered in knee-deep mud.

Like any bad smell, it refuses to go away.

The prospect of Ronaldo turning his back on Manchester United is as real (excuse the pun) as it was a few months ago, with Alex Ferguson admitting that his prize asset is likely to join the Spanish giants one day.

After Ron scored in United's Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough, Fergie said: "Southern Europeans want at some point to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, so I understood what was going on in Cristiano's mind when he declared he wanted to join Real.

"But once we had talked he accepted it was a move for the future."

The question is - how long will Ronaldo's love affair with United last? A couple of years? One more season? Until January? And does that mean we have to put up with similarly tedious, overly drawn-out transfer stories every time the transfer window opens?

Much to the delight of regular customers at the Gossip Shop, the answer is most likely yes. Huzzah, at least it keeps us open for business.

Another name almost certain to be on the tips of wagging transfer tongues come January is that of Newcastle skipper Michael Owen.

The diminutive hitman is still struggling to come to terms with Kevin Keegan's departure from St James' Park and has admitted he finds the uncertainty surrounding both the club's ownership and managerial position extremely unsettling.

He lamented: "We all like Kevin Keegan and were sad to see him go."

But there may be a ray of light at the end of the tunnel for Toon fans hoping to see Owen remain on Tyneside a little longer - the Nigerian consortium linked to buying out Mike Ashley from the club have targeted Keegan to make a (second) Messianic return to the club.

And it gets better - according to the Sun, Keegan has told friends he would be interested in retaking his old job, as long as the Nigerians let him manage the team his own way. Which, when translated, means 'as long as the Nigerians get rid of Dennis Wise '.

Meanwhile down in east London, West Ham are facing the prospect of having to offload several players in a bid to haul their claret and blue behinds out of the financial predicament they find themselves in.

What with their sponsors taking a nose dive and the Carlos Tevez affair coming to a rather ugly head, the Hammers are now facing the very real prospect of having to let some of their best players leave in January.

Despite claiming the ruling will not affect their transfer policy, West Ham's financial woes are now so dire the Daily Star reckons the likes of Dean Ashton, Mark Noble, Rob Green and Scott Parker - all wanted by other Premier League clubs - may all leave in the New Year.

And finally, Robbie Savage has been told he can leave worst-Premier-League-club-ever Derby - that is scientific fact - if he can find a club willing to take him on loan. Few will be holding their breath.

And with that, the shop closes for another day. Thank you, and please do come again.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 9 - 28 of 28

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  1. DOES ANYONE THINK THERE ARE TOO MANY WOGS PLAYING IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?

    From roninthejungle, on Thu 25 Sep 1:16PM

  2. am a fraid that the mighty gordies going down to the champs league. but i also think that it wouldn't do them any harm at all. and am sure they will come beck stronger, and wiser, next season.

    From joe, on Thu 25 Sep 6:50AM

  3. without ronaldo m u just get 1 one over pompey in single goal..when he started united win 3-1..what that mean???without cristiano ronaldo man utd is nothing....hahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahah............ ...liverpool will forever the greatest club in the world....y n w a....

    From naufal afif h, on Thu 25 Sep 2:42AM

  4. I have the feeling that ManU fans did not forgive Ronaldo his summer saga. Something is not there anymore.. I don't hear or read the praises they used to give him. And if this is true, I don't blame them. The guy is arrogant and has no sense of loyalty.

    From Half A Brain, on Wed 24 Sep 11:56PM

  5. I'm a secure fan of Man Utd and of Ronaldo, to me he is the icing on the cake for United,to cop it all did any of you hear the rour of the United fans when he returned. I know no other fan club in history yet who roared that much in pleasure and gusto for one player. Talk about Cantona this fella has got the makings to be like him. N o matter what I think of Rooney, Giggs or Tevez or the other players, this man has got United fans in a turmoil these days that i'm sure if you let the women loose on the pitch with him he would still outrun them all for his safety. GREAT MAN, THE BEST FOR YEARS.

    From peterknight47, on Wed 24 Sep 7:45PM

  6. Umm yeah, are we still on this?!? I really struggle to understand why the media is constantly writing "stories" on this subject. I'm definitely a fan of ronaldo's football, but I'm sick of hearing about this naldo-real madrid saga...way too old!!

    From melx124, on Wed 24 Sep 7:16PM

  7. twats on this

    From darren c, on Wed 24 Sep 7:12PM

  8. tony (comment14) if he sees out his contract you'll get no money for him get rid of him whilst his heart is else where, you ain't a 1man team and imagine the players fergie would find with 30-80mil or whatever he's "worth", i'm a l'pool fan and we're still bitter about mcmanamanamanamanaman leaving for nowt!

    From robbiedavies_07, on Wed 24 Sep 6:07PM

  9. "The question is - how long will Ronaldo's love affair with United last? A couple of years? One more season? Until January? And does that mean we have to put up with similarly tedious, overly drawn-out transfer stories every time the transfer window opens?"

    Its up to you whether its tedious or not.. If you think its tedious why bother writing an article on it? Quality Journalism right there.

    From Ana, on Wed 24 Sep 5:55PM

  10. Just sell him! Get the money and prove were not a one man team.

    From miniroll32, on Wed 24 Sep 5:29PM

  11. oh ronaldo please dont go! we nothing without u. hahahha

    From bronilan, on Wed 24 Sep 5:27PM

  12. Manky little slimeball can go to spain for all i care, still not forgiven him for dumping England out of last world cup!!!!!!

    From Maxine, on Wed 24 Sep 5:27PM

  13. oh ronaldo please dont go! we nothing without u. hahahha

    From bronilan, on Wed 24 Sep 5:15PM

  14. Am glad that Rolando is back with the team and also thank Fiegie for his role as fatherly man.We members or fans of the team are happy for his return to the team and my may concern is Ronney,he should control his temper when he is in field of play and concentrate very well.

    From Godspower A, on Wed 24 Sep 4:29PM

  15. OMG!!!! Ronaldo to Real Madrid????
    Why didnt anybody tell me????
    Was it that much of a secret

    LMAOROFL

    From sam b, on Wed 24 Sep 4:24PM

  16. man u s nothing

    From milesandy73, on Wed 24 Sep 3:43PM

  17. I THINK RONALDO HAS A LOT TO THANK FERGIE FOR AND THE ONLY WAY TO THANK HIM IS BY STAYING AT UTD TILL HIS CONTRACT RUNS OUT IN 3 YEARS, TO LEAVE IN JAN OR AT THE END OF THE SEASON WHOULD BE LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE. IVE LOVED RONALDO SINCE HE FIRST CAME TO UTD BUT ALL THIS ABOUT MOVING CLUBS JUST TELLS ME THAT HIS EGO IS BIGGER THAN THE CLUB AND THAT JUST WONT DO LOL, MAN UTD RULE WITH OR WITHOUT HIM (FACT)

    From tony.prophet, on Wed 24 Sep 3:26PM

  18. Please believe me nothing against the Man U or Newcastle fans at all. Just like all this political and wind up stuff in the press. Same old boring story about Ronaldo who got his mate Rooney sent off in the World Cup. Remember that and wish him well over there. His head is so big now that he will start to go into decline soon. Rooney is already on the way. As for Newcastle, well it is getting quite serious and only one poor guy left to sort it out with no contact with those at the top who are paying the wages. Several players there in decline as well, including Owen and Butt. It seems Wise will be hundreds of miles away again tonight. He has grown a beard and is walking on stilts in the Smoke.

    From taff, on Wed 24 Sep 3:25PM

  19. Mike Hytner this is so boring the Newcastle and Ronaldo sagas,can't you be a bit more original instead of floundering over old news,a bit like Dennis Wise of your office,your arse must be twitching

    From Russell G, on Wed 24 Sep 2:34PM

  20. The truth of this story is that it was taken from an article in last nights match day programme - not as the reporter states "after the match". It was written before the Chelsea match on Sunday. So no exclusive there.

    From jeanetteharwood@..., on Wed 24 Sep 2:24PM
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