February 14, 2007
Cristiano Ronaldo has told his close friends he has no intention of turning his back on Manchester United in favour of a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Ronaldo is constantly being linked with a move to one of the Spanish giants this summer, but former United team-mate Eric Djemba-Djemba - with whom he speaks regularly - insists the winger will stay at Old Trafford.
And Djemba-Djemba, who made his United debut at the same time as Ronaldo in August 2003, revealed the part he has played in persuading the 22-year-old to remain with United.
“Every time I see him I tell him to stay where he is,” said Djemba-Djemba.
“And I think he understands that. He has told me he wants to stay at United.”
[Source]
February 13, 2007
Cristiano Ronaldo insists he and Wayne Rooney are “like brothers” after their World Cup bust-up.
The Portugal star was blamed for Rooney’s controversial red card in the quarter-final clash which saw England dumped out of the tournament on penalties.
Bur Ronaldo, 22, said United’s form this season shows that his relationship with Rooney has grown stronger since then.
“After everything that went on Wayne and I are still the best of mates. That has been proved by the way we have played this season,” Ronaldo said.
February 11, 2007
Manchester United managed to grab all 3 points against Charlton without Ronaldo, who was rested because of a heavy cold. The Portuguese winger was not even in the stadium and was resting at home.
Korean winger Park Ji-sung replaced Ronaldo at the starting line-up, and he took full advantage of his rare start to open the score for United.
Charlton fought hard, the game could go either way until the final 10 minutes… with Wayne Rooney showing moment of brilliance to set up a simple header for Darren Fletcher to seal the game for the Red Devils.
Get well soon CR.
February 11, 2007
In-form Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is playing his football at the best place possible, manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.
“It’s always an attraction, a better climate. But when you think about what you can get at Manchester United - every week 76,000 people,” Ferguson told a news conference.
“You are not going to get that anywhere. I know that the Spanish giants of Madrid and Barcelona, and also Milan, when they have got big games they can fill the place without question. But they don’t fill it every week.
“Old Trafford is full every week, which is fantastic. He’s at a good club and he knows he’s at a good football club.”
[Source]
February 9, 2007
Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano has insisted the Catalan giants have made no approach to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United’s brilliant Portugal winger has reportedly become a major transfer target of both Barcelona and their major Primera Liga rivals Real Madrid.
Even though both Sir Alex Ferguson and United chief executive David Gill have rejected any notion of the 21-year-old being sold, rumours of a summer move persist, with a fee in the region of £45million being mentioned.
The speculation was only heightened on Tuesday when Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes was seen meeting Barca’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain at a plush London hotel before they sat next to each other at the Emirates Stadium when Ronaldo skippered Portugal to a famous win over Brazil.
However, the Catalans have moved quickly to distance themselves from talk of a move for the United man, with Soriano indicating Barca were already well served for attacking players.
[Source]