Should he stay or should he go...
I say 'go'. That's what he wants to do and nothing in this world, not even a good old dose of maturity, is going to change his mind. Manchester United are at a level they haven't been at in 15 years. A wealth of young players, who all get along well, who love the team and are supported by the old guard, Giggs, Neville, Scholes etc. Why hold onto a player that is distancing himself from his team mates and his club, a likely cause of animosity on the training ground? After Ronaldo's comments this summer I can't help but wonder what the reaction will be upon his return to the dressing room.
Sir Alex Ferguson is the master of handling young want-a-way soccer stars, sheltering them from the evil clutches of corporatization while keeping them on track and focusing on their game. But there comes a point when you have to let certain individuals go. And mark my words, Ronaldo will be gone by this time next year. His antics this summer were a disgrace and at best showed his immaturity as a professional, let alone balls as a man. Ronaldo has a contract with the team that made him what he is today - the greatest football player in the world. The fact that he likens this contract to slavery is enough to throw him out the club door. Sir Alex, on the other hand, feels it is his responsibility to hold onto the player and bring him back down to earth. Old mother hen will groom her prize chick one last time. The worry for Ferguson is, if he lets Ronaldo go, what will become of this legendary player? Does Ronaldo have the potential to slide off the rails? Ferguson has always been a father figure to those over-exposed to the horde and willing to succumb to his guidance. He took Giggs out of the limelight in his teens, guided Cantona through the worst of times, gave Rooney support and unwavering belief (to name but three). Those unwilling to be the good son or those who craved a little more than football, were shown the door within a few short months.
As sure as Arsenal will fail at everything again next year, Ronaldo will be dazzling supporters of Real Madrid as a player within the next 18 months, and Ferguson will do everything in his power to make Ronaldo even better before he does. And that does not apply solely to his football skills.
I say 'go'. That's what he wants to do and nothing in this world, not even a good old dose of maturity, is going to change his mind. Manchester United are at a level they haven't been at in 15 years. A wealth of young players, who all get along well, who love the team and are supported by the old guard, Giggs, Neville, Scholes etc. Why hold onto a player that is distancing himself from his team mates and his club, a likely cause of animosity on the training ground? After Ronaldo's comments this summer I can't help but wonder what the reaction will be upon his return to the dressing room. Sir Alex Ferguson is the master of handling young want-a-way soccer stars, sheltering them from the evil clutches of corporatization while keeping them on track and focusing on their game. But there comes a point when you have to let certain individuals go. And mark my words, Ronaldo will be gone by this time next year. His antics this summer were a disgrace and at best showed his immaturity as a professional, let alone balls as a man. Ronaldo has a contract with the team that made him what he is today - the greatest football player in the world. The fact that he likens this contract to slavery is enough to throw him out the club door. Sir Alex, on the other hand, feels it is his responsibility to hold onto the player and bring him back down to earth. Old mother hen will groom her prize chick one last time. The worry for Ferguson is, if he lets Ronaldo go, what will become of this legendary player? Does Ronaldo have the potential to slide off the rails? Ferguson has always been a father figure to those over-exposed to the horde and willing to succumb to his guidance. He took Giggs out of the limelight in his teens, guided Cantona through the worst of times, gave Rooney support and unwavering belief (to name but three). Those unwilling to be the good son or those who craved a little more than football, were shown the door within a few short months.
As sure as Arsenal will fail at everything again next year, Ronaldo will be dazzling supporters of Real Madrid as a player within the next 18 months, and Ferguson will do everything in his power to make Ronaldo even better before he does. And that does not apply solely to his football skills.
posted by Shano at 10:24 AM
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