Last week the news broke from United that arguably our best player, but more accurately our most high profile player, will be sold to Real Madrid for £80 million pounds.
Since then, there has been a wide range of opinion regarding the move, ranging from depression to elation.
Here are my thoughts, which are somewhere between the two extremes.
Most importantly, is the fact that Ronaldo wanted to leave. Everything has to start from this standpoint.
All the arguments on whether United should have sold or not are irrelevant; he wanted to go and hats off to the suits for getting a record amount of money for him.
Now herein lies the important point, money. If United spend the money on players then everybody (apart from the Glazers) wins.
Ronaldo gets his dream move, United get a stronger squad, the fans get new players to cheer and hopefully, a new number 7 to add a bit of magic (and less ego).
As for Ronaldo the player, well lets face it, he is a bit of a twat and not seeing him amongst the lads will be cool in my book. Richardson was by far my least favourite United player, but Ronnie was increasingly becoming so with his behaviour both on and off the pitch.
Beckham's departure hurt more because although DB was past it in footballing terms, and Ronaldo is prime time, DB loved United and played always as a team member, while Ronaldo has never once kissed the badge, nor ran to one of his team mates straight after scoring a goal. In short, Ronaldo is not the type of player we are used to having at United.
We are finding it difficult to deal with a situation that rarely happens to United fans, one that most fans around the world understand well, the fact that players do ask to be transferred to other clubs.
Ronaldo is the first player I can remember who has asked for a move away* from United.
So all the best to him, where I hope the politics and turmoil of Real will make him realise how lucky he has been at Old Trafford.
Will I miss certain things about him? For sure, the free kicks, the mazy runs, the speed, power and athleticism with which he attacked our rivals really did make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
One thing I will miss definetley is his chant "Viva Ronaldo", but I guess I will have to make do with the new version of "Viva Da Silva".
A great example of how our club moves onwards and upwards with every set back.
(*Ruud, David Beckham, Heinze etc...we are all pushed out)
