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Cristiano Ronaldo could be on his way out of Manchester United
Simon Johnson28 May 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo has plunged his future at Manchester United into fresh doubt by admitting that he "doesn't know" if he will be at Old Trafford next season.
The Portuguese winger also delivered a withering attack on Sir Alex Ferguson's tactics after his side were outclassed by Barcelona in last night's Champions League Final.
Ronaldo has three seasons left on his United contract but remains a transfer target for Real Madrid, the Spanish club he supported as a boy.
Having failed to lure him away from Manchester for the past two years, the Madrid hierarchy are expected to renew their efforts in this summer's transfer window.
Asked after United's 2-0 defeat if he would still be at the club next season, Ronaldo said: "I don't know."
The 24-year-old stood on his own, shaking his head in disgust following the final whistle in Rome, having seen his side outplayed for long periods against the Spanish champions.
The Portugal international spent most of the game playing as a striker but United's attack offered little threat despite Barcelona missing three of their first-choice back four.
Ronaldo was in little doubt that the blame lay with the strategic decisions of manager Ferguson.
He said: "This is one of the biggest disappointments of my career. We didn't do well. The tactics were not good and everything went wrong for us. We were only in it for 10 minutes and we never found ourselves again.
"Everything went wrong. We started very well but after that we didn't do anything. We didn't control the game, we didn't play and they played better than us.
"It was very bad in the dressing room afterwards but that is normal after you lose a game."
Ronaldo's team-mate Wayne Rooney believes United lost out to the best team in the world and singled out Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta for special praise.
Rooney said: “I've never played against a better team than this Barcelona. They're a brilliant side. Iniesta, for me, is the best player in the world, he's incredible.
“They're a great team, they pass the ball well and if you don't take your chances against them they punish you, which is what they did.
“It is very disappointing and the feeling at the moment is not a good one. We are hurting but we have to forget it and look forward to next season.”
Reader views (29)
How dare Christiano Ronaldo to critize Sir. He is a cry baby that blames everybody. When Messi loses he takes it as a man. Messi is the best after that you join Iniesta. Barca will rule for five years straight in the european cup
- Billy, Florida, 29/05/2009 22:46
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To all you fans of the london football clubs who are now seeing fit to have a pop at Man United. The clubs you support aren't even good enough to be on the same planet as United and Barca, thats why you are on the sidelines spewing out all that bile and envy. Particularly the Chelsea Fans who's team disgraced themselves only a couple of weeks ago. lest you all forget, we are world club champions, PL champions, carling cup winners and were CL finalists, how many of you with your mouthful of sour grapes would settle for that Eh.
- James, london, 29/05/2009 14:29
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I wish that referee could come to the Premiership. He took no nonsense from the Man Utd cheats that prosper weekly in the domestic League. Fans of Man Utd should get over it and understand you lost, you tried to play as normal with the usual cheating, but you had a referee you could not con and you lost. Good job to.
- Steve, London, 29/05/2009 12:37
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A wonderful day for British football, they thought they only had to turn up to win, the look on Sir's face said it all!
- Super Langley, Paisley, 29/05/2009 12:02
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I have been a Manchester United fan for almost 50 years and am tired of Ronaldo and his cheating, petulance and arrogance. Yes he has played well for us since he arrived from Portugal but it is time for him to go as he is too disrespectful to SAF and us fans.
Not all Manchester United fans are bad. We have been through the good and bad times with the club and do acknowledge it when we are beaten by a good team. It still hurts though.
- Lesley Wells, Macau, 29/05/2009 09:50
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Terry Cook, Blackpool well said, this is something I have been trying to teach my boys. Even in the junior leagues which they play in some other boys copy the arrogance of teams like Man U and it simple not the way sport should be conducted. I watched a boy Saturday go down like a sniper had shot him, the boy tackling him was 11 and was sent off and now has to face a panel and pay a fine. This winning at all costs is simply not English and looking too cheat to steal a victory is something we should discourage at all levels and needs to start at the top. Ronaldo is a disgrace to football and the sooner he is gone the better football in this country will be for it in my opinion
- Gary, brentwood, 29/05/2009 08:03
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Rogar I am a huge sports fan and have no particular gripe about Man.Utd apart from their arrogant players and obnoxious supporters! I so wanted Man.Utd to lose lets hope the club learn a little bit of humility. Sports supporters support whoever they want, they are not a bad person just because they do not want man.Utd to win a game
- Terry Cook, blackpool, 28/05/2009 17:46
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Rogan, I never profess to be a "sports fan" (ugh).
I'm a West Ham fan, and I watched without wanting either to win. I never cheer any other team, ever.
What I'm commenting on is the pathetic nature of a supposedly "great" player.
It takes much more than talent to make a "great", and stomping about, cheating, fouling and acting like a petulant fool is not it.
I assume being a "sports fan", you were there, right?
- Stu, Beckton, 28/05/2009 17:27
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Ronaldo - is he leaving Man utd or not ??.
WHO CARES. Its not as if he plays for a london club is it? - Oh yes of course he does - The comments from the bandwagon jumping Man Utd fans from London Says it all.
Back he matter in question - Man Utd had no answers last night and only won it in 2008 though the mistakes of chelsea. And another thing - "The boy wants to come to Spurs - for sure "Over and out - Harry Redknapp
- As, london, 28/05/2009 17:25
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James of London.
True he scored a good header (although we left him unmarked, so my Grannie could have put that away), and what dignity did we see from Ronald Mcdonald last night, nasty fouls, whingeing, tears. Didn't he miss his penalty last year too?
Sure JT was upset, but then he is a great servant of the club he has been at all his life, not a nasty greasy mercenary like Ronaldo Mcdonut, who will be where "his heart is" next season, namely whoever pays the most for him.
Yes I was sore at last years final, but I feel much better now seeing Manure humiliated last night.
- Kerry, Purley, 28/05/2009 17:11
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You just visiting London, James, or do you live here?
- Stu, Beckton, 28/05/2009 17:08
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Every time Ronaldo fails to score a goal the media make out like he's a spent force. Then they rehash the usual "he want's to go to Milan/wherever" speculation - then idiots who are anti anything to do with Manchester United climb aboard and cough up the same rubbish they came up with the last time they decided to impart their 'insights'.
What are the non fans trying to do? Could it be that they hope to pressure him into making a move so their team won't have to face him with Man Utd next season?
As for the game yesterday - there were two teams out there. One played better than the other. So sad, Man U lost this time. At least they got there, unlike the teams of those who watched the game with the sole hope that Man U would fail. Sports fans? I don't think so!
- Rogan, Irving, 28/05/2009 17:07
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Westl,Putney & Kerry trubee
I see you are both still a bit sore after United's win over your beloved Chelsea in the 2008. Very short memories as well, Did Ronaldo go missing in 2008? I could swear he scored with a fantastic header against Chelsea, or were you watching a completely different game. United were beaten by a great side last night, but at least they kept their diginity unlike Miss Terry who cried like a baby.
- James, london, 28/05/2009 16:30
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"Someone told me the boy just wants to come here and play football, for sure"
H Redknapp, 5 minutes ago
- Joe, Romford, 28/05/2009 16:28
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How many times has Ronaldo changed his mind about staying with Manchester United this season? He´s done my head in; I´ve lost count. Kate, London is right. He´s an attention seeker, always throwing his toys out of the pram.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 28/05/2009 16:00
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What a joy it was to watch the arrogant petulant Man Utd get played of the park (again) in a champions league final. Against Bayern they were second best and got two lucky goals in injury time. They were second best to Chelsea (at least after the first 25 mins) last year, and won, luckily, this year justice was done. It could and should have been four.
What was really funny was Rooney and Ronaldo going missing again in a big match, They just can't do it can they?
What was SAF's tactical response to the drubbing? send on Scholes, clearly past his (one peerless) best who committed a foul that I thought deserved a straight red.
To top this great evening off, we had the ITV sycophants wanting Ronaldo's babies in the first ten minutes, then as the game went on, clearly wanting a fumble behind the changing rooms with Messi or Iniestra instead, priceless!
- Kerry Trubee, Purley, 28/05/2009 14:46
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He won't go!
Haven't any of you realised yet that he just LOVES all the attention?!
Thats why he throws his toys out of the pram whenever he gets tackled etc. He has to be centre of the stage.
He is BRILLIANT.
- Kate, London, 28/05/2009 14:14
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Too much sulking, not enough football!
- Dom, London, 28/05/2009 13:46
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despite a poor performance from Utd, it pales into insignificance compared to ITV's coverage. Please do not let them show football ever again!
- My Wife Doesn'T Wrestle But U Should C Her Box, UK, 28/05/2009 13:46
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At the moment moment Ronaldo is behind,Messi and Iniesta,the pair of them showed how much quality and strenght they have,they work their socks off even without the ball.i think Utd should cash in,get what they can for him and start again,they clearly have seen the best of him and maybe its time too move on.he is spitting his dummy out far too often and his petulance couls affect the team..
- Evs, herts, 28/05/2009 13:17
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Yet again he & ROONEY failed to deliver on the big stage. Sorry for their fans really & model pro's like Giggs & Scholes
- Blue, UK, 28/05/2009 13:09
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Yet again he failed to deliver on the biggest stage. Apart from a goal lasy year he was largely anon. Ashley Cole & organised defences show him up every game. He excels against the premiership whipping boys. Love em or hate 'em at least Gerrard, Drogba show up on the big stage
- Jk, London, 28/05/2009 13:06
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When Tyldesley excitedly blurted out, "THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD - OFFICIAL" he showed just what he knows about football.
Ronaldo went on to show just why he's so hated around England with a pathetic display of petulance and cheating. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and the rest went on to show exactly how things should be done, in a masterful display.
Good riddance to him as and when he goes. A pathetic figure of a man.
- Stu, Beckton, 28/05/2009 12:52
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About as Charismatic as a lump of cheddar cheese. Bring back besty, keen and cantona the crowd diver.
Andres Iniesta was amazing controlling the game from the middle of the park leaving the plougmans to sulk after a few long range misses. manU were beaten in every area of the park even the defence which is amazing giving Barca were 3 men down. Barca can only get better
- Ge, Republic of Cornwall, 28/05/2009 12:45
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I guess Fergie didn't believe that Hiddink had found the key to beating Barca, keep them from scoring and try to hit them on the counter, something United excel at! Another big match disappointment from Vidic and Carrick.
- Westl, Putney England, 28/05/2009 12:43
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Let him go.
- R.Haze, The Netherlands, 28/05/2009 12:37
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Thats what i like to see - a good sportsman. throwing his little baby toys out of the pram. what an idiot.
why don't you grow up mate.
- Jonny, London, 28/05/2009 11:50
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He played well in the first ten minutes then became frustrated and churlish. He is good on his day but against the best in the world he was found wanting.
- Hatchet, Newcastle Australia, 28/05/2009 11:11
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Tactics and players lineup wrong this time arround by Fergi and it is his biggest flop. Giggs, John Oshea and Pak should be replaced by Berba, Teves and Rafeal.
Anderson should be playing the role of Fletcher.
Berba take over Pak to provide the attacking skills.
Teves in the central midfield
Rafeal the speedy and tackling skills defender can provide more impact to support Ronaldo and Rooney or Teves up front.
Evra the big mouth defender should be replaced in the second half due shaggy performance.
- Manu, Singapore, 28/05/2009 10:54
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