Carlos Tevez says United should let Cristiano Ronaldo go to Real Madrid
Carlos Tévez risked incurring the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday when he broke rank by claiming that Manchester United should grant Cristiano Ronaldo his wish and let him join Real Madrid.
Rio Ferdinand has led the chorus of pleas from United players urging Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford, but Tévez, the Argentina striker, believes that the club should not stand in the Portugal forward's way if he requests a move. “The [United] team has great players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, of course,” Tévez said. “It's clear that he is a very important player for us, but this is a personal decision, which is up to only him.
“I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play at Real Madrid. On the other hand, I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United, but if what he seeks is something else, I think that should be respected. I have not talked to him, but when these things happen, neither side feels good.”
United made it clear that Ronaldo will not be sold after Ferguson, the manager, met the 23-year-old in Lisbon last week, but that appears to have done little to deter Real, even though a bid has yet to be lodged. Ramón Calderón, the Real president, and Bernd Schuster, the club's coach, have made no secret of their desire to sign Ronaldo, and yesterday Guti and Raúl, two of the club's senior players, spoke in support of the move.
Wesley Sneijder, the Real midfield player, claimed recently that some of Real's first-team squad would take umbrage if Ronaldo signed for the club on wages far in excess of theirs - with the Spanish champions reportedly prepared to pay him up to £200,000 a week - but Guti disagrees.
“We would be delighted to have him,” the Real playmaker said. “He wouldn't upset the good atmosphere and, anyway, people tell me he's a great person and a good team player. Everyone works to earn as much as they can get and if he's one of the best players in the world, he should earn more. Maybe he won't win you the Champions League on his own, but he's very tricky and he'll win you games. With players like that, you've always got chances to win plenty of titles.”
Guti's sentiments were echoed by Raúl. “I see no reason why he would cause problems,” the Spain forward said. “I think it could be very positive because we have a great squad with a lot of big players and it is obvious that if a player of a very high level joined he would be welcome and helped to adapt. Our good form will continue whether Cristiano comes or not - and at whatever price. Nothing will break up the unity we currently have.
“I think that Cristiano is a player that everyone would want. He is certainly one of the best, but it is a sporting and a technical decision. If they [club management] believe he is necessary, they will try and sign him.”
David Gill, the United chief executive, however, has reiterated that Ronaldo will not be sold at any price, with Real said to be willing to pay £67.5million for the player. “We made it clear to them [Real Madrid] from Day 1 we wouldn't welcome a bid, it wouldn't be accepted and therefore I don't think there is much point in putting one in,” he said. “That's where we are at with the situation.”
