Manchester United News 24/7Writer: Zae 
Date:Thursday June 11 2009
Time: 1:42PM
UK time is: 14:42:04
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Thanks For Everything, Cristiano!
It is over. Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United after spending six years at the club. He arrived as a skinny 18-year-old with a ridiculous haircut and great potential and departs as one of the best players in the world, a fearless athlete, a real goal machine.
He has reasons to be grateful to Manchester United who did a lot for him to be what he is, just as United have ample of reasons to be grateful to him. This alliance was a major benefit to both parties: three league titles, a Champions League crown, an FA Cup win, two Carling Cups and a World Club Championship trophy means that he's won just about everything that is there to win in English and European football.
This step in his career was not unexpected, we always knew Real Madrid were his dream club. This is a new challenge for him and it's somewhat understandable that he's looking for one. He's not a loyal type, we know that, and he's longing for the glamour of the Spanish capital. Professionally he won't improve - that's just about certain, the heights of 2007/08 will never be repeated - but the lifestyle, the glittering will suit him.
It wasn't all sunshine of course: we remember his preening, his whinging, his shameful dives and the little nasty kicks, his berating of the referees... Or there was last season's flirting with Madrid when he showed as much respect to the fans as a teapot would have done (all those mysterious smiles and cheeky little hints) and though we were spared that this season, his public comments always hinted at a desire to stay at United which was never true, it seems.
However, I prefer to remember the good times: the fantastic goals, the matchwinning performances, the amazing pace, and his absolute, overwhelming desire to win, at all cost at all times. He gave us fantastic moments, matches, seasons and over the last three years he was the number one player of the world.
Thanks for everything, Cristiano, you are a real individual which is increasingly rare in the modern football world. Great memories, great things, good luck at Madrid - you'll need it.
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Your Comments
Byeeeeeeeeeeeee! With Ancelotti at the helm, Aguero and/or Pato on the way, Prem is ours boys!
haigh_for_7
Good ridance! He's high maintainance! Let him go to Real. He'll find La Liga boring compared to the Prem!
haigh_for_7
This site is dead, is it not? This news has generated more interest over at our site than it has in here!
JT_daniel
There probably wont be anybody to pick a fight with.. Damn!
JT_daniel
ancelotti...hmmm...I remember the chelsea lot saying something like that last year when scolari got on the stamford bridge merry-go-round - will probably hear it all again next year too
skylab
Quality player. Will be interesting to see how he fares in la liga. If the premier league is as good as we all think, he should get 30 goals in spain without breaking a sweat. Thierry didn't light up la liga as I hoped he would, but he was arguably past it when he got there; if cristiano does what he is capable of and decimates every defense in la liga, we will finally have an answer about which league is better/more difficult to play in.
tuscan3000
From an outside perspective, with the ability to look at the situation with a more objective view, I think you'll be fine. With that kind of money you can find the tallent to make up for his loss, and to make your side a bit more balanced. You might have a bit of a dodgy season coming up, aclimatising to the shock, but you'll be back on your feet before too long.
ArsenalRob
Agreed, ArsenalRob. Every irreplaceable player in footballing history has been replaced at some point. I personally think we will challenge on all fronts as normal next season. If we can find a player that is better than Kuyt or Malouda then we are still ahead of the game in terms of talented wingers, just not as far ahead as before.
tuscan3000
To be honest, as an Arsenal fan - I'm gutted. Utd have developed a reliance on Ronaldo (much like we did with Thierry) and when he was off his game or locked up - much of Man Utd's play went with him.
I believe you'll now go out and get quality players like Benzema, Zhirkov and Ribery and find more goal threat spread across your team. If Rooney pairs with Benzema up front and you supply them with Zhirkov and Ribery it will largely be a walkover for you in the Prem. I disagree with the OP regarding Tevez - he works so hard for the team to win back possession and really hasn't been given enough opportunity to play in his natural role as a striker (unless I'm thinking of someone else, he was the best striker in Brazil at one point - and he's an ARGENTINE !).
Berbatov is a complete waste of money.
Personally I hope the Glazers take the money, head off to a casino run by Stan Kroenke and blow the lot on 15red on the roulette table. Sadly - that's just a dream.
But don't worry too much, I think you sold Ronaldo at his highest market value and will benefit in the long run. We should either have sold Theirry one season earlier or not at all, and we have never replaced him adequately - the 3 legged donkey, lackadaisical, serial offside offending, clubfooted carcinogen known as Adebeyor is a disgrace to the shirt.
Englishman-in-NY
See, I knew it! There are more posts from Arsenal and Chelsea fans here than United's! Haha..
JT_daniel
No, seriously, why dont you fellas log in a little more? It wont hurt! Normally, there's absolutely nobody here, except FU!
JT_daniel
Gone to the most famous Club in the World.
Tiny T
Englishman; don't be fooled by tevez's running. The only reason he chases the ball down so often is that he gives it away more often than anybody else in the team. He is slow, short and can't shoot. In a league where he has more time on the ball he might be able to do better, but berbatov contributes far more to the team. Neither one of them has scored enough, but at least berba can keep the ball and create chances for others.
tuscan3000
To be fair though, tuscan3000, last season when he paired with Rooney they were terrific; he hasn't really been given the chances this season. Whatever the striking situation, Rooney is our most reliable, consistent and important and we need to focus on getting the best out of him first.
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