Blasphemy, right? I can see the incredulous and puzzled look on your faces as you read that title. Maybe I’m talking about the Brazilian version: old, fat and past his prime, without a leg to stand on (literally). That would make a lot more sense. Surely I couldn’t be saying that the Football Player of the Year-to be, 42-goal scoring, left-back humiliating, Portuguese wunderkind is expendable to Manchester United. The man who managed to overcome English hatred of “Beckham: 1998” proportions, to be the poster child of the English premier league, the face of the club and its most potent (and sometimes only) weapon. That Ronaldo? In a word, Yes.

In an interview with well respected Spanish journalist Guillem Ballague, moments after the Portuguese national team crashed out of Euro 2008, Ronaldo affirmed his not-so-secret desire to realize his “dream” move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. When asked if his decision to seek after a summer transfer would be a step forward in his career, a still depressed Ronaldo responded: “It is a dream, a step forward...for me it is a great opportunity”. Notwithstanding how moving from the European champions to a side that hasn’t seriously competed in the tournament since the departure of Zidane would be a “step forward”; the winger made matters worse by revealing he had actually made up his mind to seek a move “some time ago before the champions league final”. This is a clear admission that he has been stringing the United faithful along for months.



Before heading United ahead in The C-League final, Ronaldo had already decided he wanted a move to Real

Don’t get me wrong. I am a big fan of Ronaldo – his talent is such that you can’t take your eye off the pitch, for fear that you may miss something you haven’t seen before. However, with all the rumours, confusion and statements about his future, I felt it necessary to give all you anxious fans of the Red Devil’s a reality check: No Player is Bigger Than Manchester United. None. These famous words are the essence of Manchester United’s emphasis on team glory over individualism. They were recently uttered by the great Eric Cantona –himself a victim of this creed when his glorious stint at Old Trafford was cut short; so he should know. Any player who thinks he is so entitled or important that the club will bend over backwards to keep him, should think again. Furthermore, if a player feels he has outgrown any successful club, least of all Manchester United, and no longer wants to stay there, this writer sees no point in keeping him.




Ronaldo was vital to United's title run.

Of course, the absolute best case scenario for United is Ronaldo staying. And one can be sure Sir Alex will do all within his power to ensure this. Who wouldn’t? There are few more prodigious talents in football (only Kaka and Messi come to my mind). He has the skill-set and youth to dominate for years, and Manchester would continue to have a unique and potent x-factor. But this desperation among fans and the club to hold onto him when he clearly wants to leave is unwarranted. Firstly, the club is bursting at the seams with talent with the likes of Rooney and Tevez; Anderson and Nani; Rio and Vida. Secondly, the money they would get for him would allow for the acquisition of more than suitable replacements (strikers needed especially).

Most importantly, however, this isn’t the first time a huge star has decided that the Theatre of Dreams isn’t big enough for his ego. Cantona, Staam, Beckham, Keane, Van Nistelrooy. Each one top class, each one discarded as quickly as they were acquired. On every occasion there was anxiety, yet the club has gone on to win more titles and more acclaim. SAF has now won titles with four different teams. Know this my friends; it’s not the name on the back of the jerseys, it’s the one on the logo. A great team is far better than a great player and a great team need not have a superstar (e.g., Porto, 2004) Last year my Arsenal friends were crying at the thought of losing Henry, only to start acting like he never existed throughout the season (their inevitable collapse notwithstanding). The point is this: if Ronaldo wants to leave let him, and stop treating him like he’s some kind of Messiah. Manchester United is an institution, Manchester United is the legend...Cristiano Ronaldo is, and will remain, nothing more than one of the many who witnessed it.


(P.S. I reserve the right to write a follow up article exalting Ronaldo for his wisdom in deciding to stay at the club—just in case)