Sponsored by
JAMES SHIELD: Ronaldo could prove almost impossible to replace
HE wouldn't sell them a virus but, as events last Thursday prove, Portuguese winkers are an entirely different matter. Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United's combustible manager, might have been incommunicado in the South of France.
But it doesn't take a press conference to guess what he thinks of Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to request a transfer to Real Madrid.
The 80 million cheque in Old Trafford's letterbox will doubtless soften the blow.
But Ferguson's mood, whatever his protestations to the contrary, will not be eased by the problems Ronaldo's departure is likely to create.
Hypothetically that sort of money can by an awful lot of footballing bloodstock - not to mention cases of the Scot's favourite burgundy - but, as United are set to discover, using it to close deals is an altogether different business.
Love him or (more than likely) loathe him; it is impossible to deny that Ronaldo is an exceptional talent who, in the short to medium term at least, will be impossible to replace.
And that, more than any damage their ego has suffered, is what will really hurt the Premier League champions.
Even though being the most expensive player in the world does not make him the best, Ronaldo has very few peers.
Least of all in his position.
And, when you are buying from a small pool, the few fish who are actually available come at one hell of a price.
United's bank balance has improved with a single flourish of Florentino Perez's fountain pen. But, in sporting terms, they are poorer for it.
FIFTY six million for Kaka.
Eighty million for Ronaldo.
As Real Madrid aggressively assemble the next generation of galacticos, Talking Sport hopes Michel Platini, UEFA's president, demonstrates the same concern for footballing fairness as he did when Chelsea and Manchester United were flashing the cash.
His determination to rid the game of excessive debt is admirable. But it must also apply across the board.
JUST days after returning from suspension, imposed after he received 240 hours of community service for assault, Hull KR's Ben Cockayne received a one-match suspension for an illegal tackle during a Super League fixture against Huddersfield.
And they say it's just footballers who never learn.
NEWCASTLE are reportedly paying Joey Barton nearly 700,000 a year for his image rights.
Kerry Katona missed a trick there.
Got a view? Add your comment below.
READ MORE
Watch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much more
Football headlines.
Football gossip.
Blades news
Blades watch 0809 - The season so far
Owls news
Owls watch 0809 - The season so far
Reds news.
Millers news.
More rugby.
More boxing.
Sports columnists.
All sport categories
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
