Manchester United have been fortunate enough to have some of the very best players in Premier League history. Cantona, Giggs, Keane, Schmeichel and Ferdinand would all have valid claims to be considered as part of any EPL dream team. Some for longevity. Some for technique. Some for influence. And some for sheer bloody-mindedness. But, in terms of raw quality and impact on a game, has there ever been a better player in this league than Cristiano Ronaldo? He was an unbelievable talent. Worth a goal a game. And seeing him develop from promising youngster to complete football genius was a true pleasure to behold. Just like Gareth Bale at Tottenham, the excitement comes from not knowing quite how good they can become. How far can they redefine the idea of perfection? How high can they raise the already lofty bar?
With all those happy memories of Ronaldo it’s no surprise that there is a clamour for him to return to Old Trafford. Rumours abound about his possible return and some have suggested that he isn’t completely happy at Real Madrid and may not wish to extend his current contract beyond 2015. But let’s be realistic about this. Cristiano has about as much chance of coming back to Manchester United as I have of winning back to back lotteries. It’s just not going to happen. It’s one of the most pointless stories of the summer.
If Manchester United had the money to spend on Ronaldo – we are talking about £60m plus in transfer fees and maybe another £15m or so per year on wages – then surely, surely they would instead go for Gareth Bale. At 28 Ronaldo has one big contract left in him. So United would effectively be hiring a very expensive player who, at 32, would only retain a fraction of the value that they bought him for. Maybe £15m at best? So, when you do the math, Ronnie would end up costing around £105m for four years. Of course he would generate huge income as well as keeping United successful. But this club is, sadly for some, run as a business. And it’s highly debatable whether Ronaldo to United makes business sense in times of austerity.
Furthermore, if Ronaldo did decide to leave Real Madrid, Manchester United would surely be blown out of the water in any bidding war, by mega-rich clubs like PSG and Monaco, who are hell-bent on fast tracking themselves to European glory – and prepared to offer blank cheques to get there.
Manchester United are also very unlikely to sign Tottenham’s Gareth Bale this summer. But, from a business perspective, there is little comparison between him and Ronaldo. At 23, Bale has similar impact on games and still has loads of room to improve. Also, if Manchester did decide to sell Bale on in 5 years, they would still recoup a large portion of the original outlay. The other major advantage of taking Bale would be that, as a Brit, he would probably be happy to stay in England providing his club was winning domestic and European trophies. Being from sunny southern Europe, there was always a sense that Ronnie would one day move on. Ronaldo is most definitely a better player than Bale. But Bale represents much better business sense, as a young winger on an upward trajectory.
So, we think that it’s time to put the Ronaldo return to bed. However lovely a thought it is for Manchester United fans it’s just not going to happen people. But, for the sake of nostalgia, let’s remind ourselves of why he will be forever regarded as one of the greatest to ever wear the famous red shirt . Viva Ronaldo!
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Ray
Jun 7, 2013 at 7:08 pm
When are you Northern dumbo’s going to get it in your thick heads that Spurs will not sell Bale to another premiership club. Are you so fucking dense that you can’t understand that fact?
wes
Jun 7, 2013 at 7:44 pm
1. Northern dumbos without bale
2. Man city
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham with bale
Lets hope for you’re sake he keeps his word!
Dylan c
Jun 8, 2013 at 12:34 am
Bale has already stated when he leaves Tottenham he wants to stay in England there are only 3 teams that can afford him united city and Chelsea he’s been a giggs fan since birth they are both without a doubt the best players wales has ever produced it makes sense for him to follow in his heroes footsteps and he knows he would be a mainstay for at least the next 6-7 years and with us ALWAYS challenging for every trophy we can get we make a better offer than most other teams but you are right Tottenham will fight tooth and nail to keep him and Daniel Levy will probably take us for ransom if we even enquire about him
Davetheyid
Jun 8, 2013 at 7:39 am
Bale has stated he wants to go to Europe after spurs !! We will NEVER sell him to another prem team. FACT
Tony
Jun 7, 2013 at 7:12 pm
Is this the Tottenham Hotspur that has Daniel Levy as Chairman, who vowed 4 years ago never to do business with Utd again, or is this a different Tottenham Hotspur from another planet?
Fissha
Jun 7, 2013 at 9:50 pm
Are you mental stg ronaldo is coming home or are you liverpolfan?
Drew
Jun 7, 2013 at 10:14 pm
@RAY comment @ 7.08pm.
Dumbos? If you read the article it’s all its actually saying is that it’s ludicrous (that means stupid) to go for Ronaldo over bale it’s not saying United are going to go for either just that if it was either then bale would be the better option… The clue is in the title of the article “the craziest transfer rumour ever” did you actually read it before slagging half of the country off?
Ray
Jun 8, 2013 at 8:51 am
Just saw your response to my comments, unfortunately I did read your ludicrous article, all hypothetical bullshit and wishful thinking.
Drew
Jun 8, 2013 at 11:30 am
My article? I didn’t write it! But yes it is a hypothesis about 2 players non of which will be moving to any premiership club.. I am merely pointing out that it did not deserve the tarring brush for dumbos and f****ing dense when it was simply hypothetical.. Agree?
Fil
Jun 8, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Get: 1. BALE at all costs 2. Di Maria if we can’t get other midfield players we are seeking and 3. add two quality defenders.We need to win the Champions League next season plus the EPL as a minimum.