Former Manchester United player and current Manchester United academy director, Brian McClair, has voiced the opinion shared by the majority of our fans.
Big players come and go but United’s success continues. Just as we gone on to win titles and European Cups since Eric Cantona and David Beckham left, we’ll get by without Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Look back at the club’s history,” said McClair. “George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham have departed United in some shape or form and the club has continued to thrive, and in certain cases, has gone on to bigger and better things. A club as big as United is going to have big players and players move on. That’s a fact of football life. No one player is irreplaceable. Or to put it another way nobody is bigger than the club. Selling Ronaldo to Real Madrid is good business. His comments in the past have intimated that he was not happy. There’s no point keeping a player in that state of mind as it will eventually start to affect those around him. We move on. United have always changed and adapted and that process is underpinned by the knowledge and experience possessed by the coaches and the manager. There are young players at the club who have benefitted from that knowledge and experience. Now is the time for some of them who we have developed to see Ronaldo’s departure as an opportunity.”
Man Utd News 24/7
i enjoyed this post but i think it was too long
only messing
it could of got to the point if it only had 9 words in it
,
Big players come and go but United’s success continues
.
He speaks alot of sense does McClair, he’s got it spot on.
GHHT
“There are young players at the club who have benefitted from that knowledge and experience. Now is the time for some of them who we have developed to see Ronaldo’s departure as an opportunity.”
Yes, but we still want to sign megastars.
Thats cliche!
man that blue jersey sucked.. looked like a set of pyjamas
Hi GhTT and Corea!
The notion that we will eventually get over Ronaldo’s absence is correct. But it’s inaccurate to compare this summer to 95 which i have seen some people do. United lost players in their prime now and with no equally good players back up like there was then. Kiko and Welbeck could fill the Tevez gap, but they aren’t as ready as Andy Cole was to take over from Mark Hughes.Plus, i don’t think that Nani is ready to take over from Ronaldo as Beckham was with Kanchelskis and Butt was with Ince. Not to mention that in 95 we didn’t have the rival competition that we have now.
@Howie
I was about to say the same thing. I love United, but this is one ugly jersey…
McClair is damn right, I have some man love for Ronaldo and if you ask me I would say don’t go to Madrid, but it WAS good bussines and it’s time for we to move on and keep winning. I have a sensation we’ll cross with Real and beat them in a historic match next season.
The fifth,eighth and ninth sentences are the ones I like the most.
Hi Costas. Clever post as always.
Don’t forget to check your email from time to time, mate. The time will come and you will see an email there.
when rooney will score goals?
there is a fine blonde bitch advertising t-shirts that has got all my attention to the right of this post!
Sorry … McClair… ai legend n all that
@Coogie:lol
We are going to miss Ronaldo no matter who we sign. Whatever his faults his unique talent is unmatched by anyone in the game at the moment bar Messi.
Let’s not kid ourselves by comparing the departure of Ronaldo to that of Best, Cantona or Beckham.
Best carried an aging United team before his career went downhill. United post-Best suffered badly.
Cantona, by his own admission had lost the hunger and it was evident in his final season.
Beckham, even though he was replaced a certain Portuguese player, was still missed for a couple of seasons for his crosses until Van Nistelrooy was shipped out.
Ronaldo leaves us as reigning European and World footballer of the year but what makes it bearable is that (a) we knew it was always on the cards, (b) his attitude stank a lot of the time and (c) we got a whopping £80m for him. But we are going to miss his footballing genius. I’m hoping Rooney can fill the void and Berbatov proves himself but Ronaldo’s departure leaves a gaping hole.
@ Uncle Roy
it was inevitable but it also makes this all so much more interesting.
I am excited. If Ron stayed i wouldn’t have been that excited.
Give our youngsters the chance!
I have to say I agree about us bouncing back from selling our best players for the most part. Where the coming season might be different is in the fact that we look like we’re going to find it extremely difficult to sign top class replacements. The simple fact it this – it looks like for most top players in the world (on the continent especially) the Premier League in general, and Man United in particular are not on top of their ‘I want to play there!’ list.
The fact is we have almost NEVER been a magnet for the BIGGEST players in the world who’re not already playing in the Premier League. We have always replaced either from within the league, and when its been from outside its been raw talent not ready made, proven players. And those signings as well all know can be hit or miss – Ronaldo the biggest hit, but we can think of plenty that have been misses.
People like Ribery, Benzema, Villa etc etc (take you pick of a top continental player) will always prefer Real or Barca over us, and that begs the question: Do we really want them, when a few years down the line they are more likely than not going to want to move to the Real’s and Barca’s? The only foreign league from which we or the League in general have been able to attract fairly mature talent is the Dutch league, and I think that goes to say a lot!
I would be prepared for a rocky season or two UNLESS we hit upon something as phenomenal as Ronaldo!
Good point Mahesh. I think Fergie will definitely sign Valencia, he’s 23 years old and can improve at a better team than Wigan. I also reckon we might try for D.Costa but it’s certain that we will not max out his release clause which is 20 mills. I believe we might go for him for 8-15 mills, perhaps half of the sum connected to performances.
Regarding the striker position I think we need to add another proven striker. In 1999 we had Cole, Yorke, Ole and Teddy. I think we need at least 3 proven quality strikers and then we can use Macheda or Welbeck (Welbeck can also play on the wing). I wouldn’t bet against Fergie going after Benzema with some serious money and try to persuade him to grab this chance instead of waiting one more season in France because of the World Cup.
Our match schedule is very tight and last season we played more games than our rivals. We need a big squad, we will be affected by injuries and bans and the youngsters will get their chance despite us signing Valencia, D.Costa and a striker.
That does not mean that we shouldn’t have sold Ronaldo – he wanted to leave, it was a lot of money, so it had to happen. But that also doesn’t mean that we don’t recognize that Ronaldo’s departure has left a big hole in the squad. Yes, we have always bounced back, but do not expect immediate return to the status quo, and don’t think its not going to be a huge challenge. This is a test for SAF and club – the good news is they’ve done well before, the bad news is I see this challenge as one of the biggest SAF would have faced…
I am sick of seeing players come out and declare their desire to play for Real. Ribery today was another one. I think that we have to look out for the Hazards of this world.But i hope that fans are ready for 1-2 bumpy seasons.
Remember the Everton game in the FA Cup and be possitive.
Anybody know if Choccy still does his diary in Man Utd magazine?
Costas I think the signing of Kaka and Ronaldo has significantly risen the profile of Real Madrid. Ribery now wants a move to The Fascists. I am actually glad rake face wants to do there and not United. It is against the integrity of the club signing a ready made replacement to put in the Number 7 shirt.
Great players are made in that Number 7 shirt. Best, Cantona, Beckham, Ronaldo to name a few.
I don’t think SAF will make any signings until 30/06/2009.
Perhaps when the Ronaldo Circus has died down SAF will pick up Valencia and Benzema. Perhaps Douglas. I hope he doesn’t sign too many players though because I really want to see who will step up in to the shoes of VDS, Nev, Scholes and Giggsy. I’m hoping Foster, Raphael, Possebon, Nani, Tosic, Macheda and Welbeck step up to the mark. We already have the raw talent.
Hopefully we don’t turn in to Arsenal in the process!
Oh i don’t like the mood here. Who honestly thought we sign anyone in June ? It’s a long and grueling summer, we have to be ready for that.
3 month trabsfer windows is too much for my liking.
i hate the transfair window
bring back the old days where you’d sign a cantona in november
took us 4 years to win the league after becks left!
CR was/is an incredible talent – only an idiot would dispute that. But he felt that he had done all he wanted to do at UTD and he was “almost free” to leave to pursue his dream. So, instead of being “almost free” to leave, UTD cashed in 80,000,000 quid to see him off. That’s not just a good piece of business it’s fucking incredible – in a year or two he could have left for nothing !
What will Fergy do ? I think we’ll find out on July 1st that SAF has had his ducks-in-a-row for a while. Meanwhile, we poor fucking sods have to count-down the hours until the master-plan is revealed. It’s like a bad case of “footie interruptus” and I don’t like it.
true that such a spastic time to sell when liverpool are coming back to the forefront.
right now they have two world class attacking players in gerrard and torres.
alonso is not too far as world class as well same for mascherano in his role.
we have only one rooney. carrick dissapears on big mathces and anderson looks like he is not what we thought he was.
only saving grace right now is the defence but even there liverpool are on par with us.
i am not slamming the team but just saying that without doubt we need very talented players to stay ahead of liverpool.
But were any of them in their prime when they left?
Becks leaving came at a time when we were winding down(while nurturing Ronaldo,Rooney and Fletch) and Abramovich came along.I don’t think it will take 4 years again.We just have to move smartly.We have bought players in June and even May(remember Ando and Nani?). It’s frustrating depending only on tabloid rumors.
Well said Choccy. Some good points but lets not forget the dippers may well lose the majority of their midfield, The rentboys have a new manager in Ancelotti that I am not convinced by. Coupled with the fact they can’t sign anyone. Other than the greedy twat Sturridge. Their squad is very old and unlike United they don’t have a plethora of young kids to blood in. Arsenal are…………………………………….well, just Arsenal!
We may well win title number 4 next season.
This is where having the greatest manager of all time comes of assistance.
4 years:)
have you seen the state some of the clubs are in
arsenal are not the arsenal who won the league after becks left
liverpool peaked last year
chelsea are stuck in a rut that they dont have the experience to get out of
and when becks left there was alot of out with the bed in wit the good to be done
king eric
plethora???
ya freekin show off
well said pat becks was down the road as well as ruud not ronaldo.
without being glory hunters we are all a bit worried deep down.
such a shame bcos we were shaping as a great european force these last few years.
King Eric, we (Arsenal) had a horrible season b/c 3/4 of our midfield was different this year. No Hleb, no Flamini, No Rosicky(who is our best midfielder, unless you count Arshavin as a MF) and for a long time, no Fabregas.
This year looks different and I do hope Marcotti is right with the Melo deal being close to done. He’s become one of the best CDM in the world this season. He’ll add attacking flair as well.
so have chelsea signed daniel sturridge from man city. really?
must be bcos of that 6+5 rule.
Plethora is a greek word actually…
United’s kids are not that impressive, sorry. I watched your u-18s every now and then. ManCity finished 20 pts. higher than United.
I also like to show off!
Costa,you’re a show off.
@ghtt:Costas is a show off.
Is that correct?
yiz all are show offs
id to look show off up in the thesaurus to make sure im right
but i love show offs
my biggest show off is emily
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7aZdfPCJkU
and thats not even me
its all her
ohh ah cantona
lol, i still have that blue jersey! what was i thinking.
@ costas
Isnt “bumming” a greek word aswell? As in – A plethora of Greek guys meet once a week to enjoy bumming each other”
Only joking mate, but did you know that in France they dont say Bugger off but Va te faire voir chez les grecques – this translates as go and get yourself seen to by the greeks.
Is Homosexual a greek word aswell?
We need to sign someone soon as this is getting far too intellectual.
I am off for a Kebab now, dont know why but I suddenly got a craving.
if we do not sign anyone how do we line up?
vds
brown rio vida evra
fletcher carrick
park rooney nani
berbatov
subs: giggs scholes wellbeck tosic neville oshea possebon rafael fabio
shud be good enough
if thats not enough we can always keep the £80 million cheque near the dugout. that will surely distract the opposition
if we do sign benzema, valencia and costa this should be the starting line up.
vds
brown rio vidic evra
fletcher carrick costa
rooney valencia
benzema
these 3 would cost about 65-70 million at the most.
kapti14
not too shabby
GHTT – Ha! I know mate, I have no idea where that word came from, it just popped into my head. Good word though innit!
Just been listening to Fat Mick Quinn saying “It is definately gonna be their year (dippers)” Yeah right fat boy, I have heard that every season since 1990. When an Arsenal fan came on slagging the dippers off they fucking cut him off. Can’t say owt bad about the Scousers can we!
Pat – Get your facts straight pal. Our Kids that may figure next season are from the reserves not the acadamy. They finished second mate behind Sunderland. It was 20LEgend first season and I think he only lost four games. “20 points behind city”????
oops i forgot anderson evans
in an ideal world anderson and nani shu have been our new matchwinners but it seems they miss somthing.
for anyone not old enough to remember going true this before
welcome to the summer of 1995
at least this summer people aren’t calling for sir alex’s head
the current formation(with out any signings):
VDS
oshea vid rio evra
fletcher/hargreves
nani carrick anderson
rooney
berba
if we sign players then:
VDS/diego plopez
oshea vid rio evra
fletcher carrick valencia
rooney berba
benzema no 7 goes to: adem ladjic or costas
20m+16m+30+12m=78m remaining almost 20m
subs: nani,tozic,giggs,scoles,welbeck,macheda,park
supersub: HARGREVES( will be the pivotal point for utd glory)
man utd are the eighth most powerful brand in the world.
the reason and man behind this is sir alex ferguson.
how can anyone even think about him leaving ? he deserves our blind support.
@Boogeyman: You know very good Greek!
@ROJO RED ROT ROUGE: Actually homosexual isn’t a greek word. I think just the homo part might be.
off topic (sorry scott), but i wanted to post a question: i live in the US and have a umbro united home kit from 1998-2000. i was wondering if anyone knew any place i could get it customized with the correct lettering?
oh my busby i dont want united to rush into any signings
but i think we need to now so people have some thing to talk about
“Is Homosexual a greek word??”
FFS, the time of year I hate being a United fan! All the doom merchants come out in force! Like spoilt kids wanting all the sweets in the shop, instead of sweets and shops its players in the transfer market! If we dont sign anybody this summer, so be it, and if we dont win the league next year or do well, fuck it, it gets rid of these plastic fans!
Time is on our side at this point. I think its good business to bring in Valencia as soon as we can and then play it slow. Bring in CR7′s “replacement” and then handle the other issues within the team. There is plenty of time left and the transfer window hasn’t even opened. Instant gratification has gotten us all a bit crazy this time of year. With up to the minute refreshing of web pages we wonder why hasn’t a signing been made already. Lets take our time and let Fergie make the right choice instead of panic buying now that CR7 is gone.
Next year will be a hard season with Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal looking stronger than they did at the beginning of last season. We are retooling and reshaping our team. I expect this to take time and might even take an entire season to get right. Patience is the name of the game for me. As always In Fergie We Trust!
@COSTAS
@GHTT
HOMOSEXUAL – The etymology is as follows – HOMOS is the greek for same and SEX is the Latin for …..
I guess the word was devised by a Greek fella and a Roman.
Dirty bloody foreigners !!
Haha.
@Costa:Thank you.
You’re right,ghtt,we really need something to talk about.
@Costas
Tell me any word, and I’ll show that the root of the word is greek… HAHAHA
McClair speaking like the next Man United-manager.
OMG, I know some fans are b*tching about our new kit(I quite like it), but the one that McClair’s wearing is just HORRIBLE. He looks like some mutated chicken with polka dots.