by kazza 1 » Sat May 24, 2008 11:11 am
QUEIROZ KEY TO RONALDO - FERGUSON
Posted 24/05/08 06:54
Sir Alex Ferguson feels trusted assistant Carlos Queiroz can be a major ally in keeping Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
Once again Real Madrid have emerged as potential buyers for the 23-year-old, even though United have no intention of selling.
Ferguson has been irked by Real's attitude, particularly that of club president Ramon Calderon, who has effectively been alleging Ronaldo is remaining at United against his will.
The Scot suggested Calderon should read his history of Spanish dictator General Franco before making rash statements about slavery.
But Queiroz, who spent an unhappy year at Real after quitting his post at United in 2003, can provide first-hand experience of what life at the Bernabeu is really like.
"Carlos has the experience of being at Real Madrid," said Ferguson.
"That is helping us now with all the nonsense we have to talk about. Carlos' experience means he can advise Cristiano quite well about that kind of club. That is a plus point for us."
While overtures towards Ronaldo continue - hardly helped by the player's ambiguous statements about his future - to be made in Madrid, Ferguson is convinced the Portugal star will remain at United this summer.
However, as he basks in the glow of his side's memorable Champions League Final win over Chelsea on Wednesday, the Scot admits a major test will come when Ronaldo considers his future in a couple of years' time.
"Cristiano is 23 now," he reflected.
"When he gets to 25 or 26 he will have a big decision to make. That will be our biggest task.
"How big we are then in terms of European trophies will be very important to this club."
Ferguson has repeatedly stressed the importance of joining European football's major trophy winners, with United making a start thanks to their third European Cup triumph this week.
Yet they still lag behind Ajax and Bayern Munich, who have four each, plus Liverpool with five and AC Milan and Real Madrid, who have seven and nine respectively.
Ferguson is confident the gap will narrow still further over the next couple of years, when he still hopes to be pouring scorn on the men from the Bernabeu, with Calderon a particular target.
In a comment laced with sarcasm, he pointed out General Franco's 40-year dictatorship was often beneficial to Real in their battles with Catalan giants Barcelona.
"Calderon makes that great statement 'Slavery was abolished many years ago'. Did they tell Franco that? Give me a break," said Ferguson.
"In terms of great clubs, Barcelona have far better moralality than Real Madrid will ever have.
"Real Madrid are not the only club interested in Ronaldo but the others are not saying so.
"They seem to think they can ride roughshod over everyone but they won't do it with us."
From Football365.com
Gone but never forgotten
JUSTICE FOR BABY P REST IN PEACE BABY BOY X