Take the New York footballing Giants. They go on a 10 game-road winning streak to reach the Super Bowl and cause the biggest upset in NFL history. Tyree catches a pass that might go down as the best play in Super Bowl history and the team no one picked to win comes away with the ring. A great game to end a great NFL season, but what followed? The players' egos grew. As they should have. When you win a game like that, and reach the summit of your profession it is understandable you would fill self-assured and confident in your ability. This feeling leads to the inevitable "I want what I deserve," at least one player will ask for a new contract and bring some off-season controversy to the newly crowned champions. Plaxico has asked for more money, and now he says he will sit out until his contract shines as much as his Super Bowl ring. M. Strahan retires and leaves the best defensive line in football possibly crippled, and not to mention some key defenders move on to new teams for bigger contracts. This happens in every sport in America during every off-season, so why am I so shocked about Manchester United's summer?
The simple answer, I have never seen this in soccer. Yes there are always transfers in the summer and United will always be involved. However, you never saw the big players at the big clubs ask out when they are playing on a regular basis, for a championship winning team. You didn't see Zidane wanting out of Madrid after they won the Champions League, did you?
What has shocked me the most is obviously Ronaldo. This to me is like Eli Manning, Kevin Garnett, or Big Papi wanting out after winning their respective championship. Ronaldo continues to dumbfound me week in and week out. His comments during the Euros that gave United fans hope and at the same time took it all away. His family members saying he wants to stay, his friends and coaches saying he wants to leave. He, himself, admitting it would be a dream to play for Madrid but never simply saying, "I want to leave United and go to Madrid." Then having other people chime in and give their opinion on the matter. Lets go through the list.
Sepp Blatter opened his big mouth last week and claimed modern footballers, like Ronaldo, are being treated like slaves. Which I won't go into the ridiculous nature of his comments as others have taken care of that already. However, I will say this, when you're the President of FIFA who deals with impoverished countries who have serious issues with slavery and child labor, it seems slightly irresponsible to claim a player making over $100,000 a-WEEK to play soccer for a living, and subsequently can have virtually anything he wants is a slave.
Michel Platini, the UEFA president, said United should forget that they are in the right and let Ronaldo do what he wants. If Madrid wants him and they have the money, they should get him. His comments are ridiculous enough but what I can't understand is WHY IS HE SHARING HIS VIEW?
We don't see Roger Goodell, David Stern, or even Bud Selig sharing their views about trades or free agent signings. It is none of their business and if they did share their views, the media and team ownership would crucify said commissioners and they would be out of a job. I remember when Bud Selig was gaining controversy for not showing Barry Bond's more support in his home run record chase, and almost everyone hates Barry Bonds. But it would seem Platini and Blatter have different standards.
These two men sum up the idiot comments that others have made but luckily some people can see things clearly. Pele has come out and said if Ronaldo signed a contract, tough beans he signed a contract and modern footballers don't = slaves. Harry Redknapp and Steve Bruce have come out and said the comments Blatter made are wrong. And the PFA chairmen has even come out in opposition to Blatter and called his comment irresponsible.
This summer is like any other sporting off-season. Turmoil and indecision as players try and get more money or move to a new club. Whether Ronaldo stays or goes obviously hasn't been decided, if a decision had been made Fergie would not be making comments to make him look stupid once the transfer goes through. No matter what occurs United will live on and will continue to be the greatest club in the world. United still have a strong team with or without Ronaldo, and I am sure Fergie will replace Ronaldo - if need be - and create a new system that is as effective as last years, maybe more so.
In other summer news:
- Fletcher says he wants to stay at United even with a good Everton squad chasing his signature.
- Manucho is reportedly injured and could be out all pre-season. I hope this kid gets his chance because he could become scary good. I realize he is already 25 but he is good in the air, good touch, and great speed. If he could break into the first 11, United could be scary good, like they were last year.
- The biggest hit so far to United is Carlos Queiroz leaving to go coach Portugal. He was a great manager and helped this team in ways behind the scenes. He ran every training session and became a father figure to the younger players. He helped secure the signature of Anderson, Nani, and Manucho and was a key part to last year's success. No one blames him for wanting to coach his country and I hope he can do well. Maybe if he does well and Fergie last to the summer of 2010, then we could see Queiroz come back after a successful World Cup campaign with Portugal. He had some great words for Fergie, you can read them in this article.
A lot of questions remain to be answered:
- Who will replace Queiroz as United's number 2? I hope for Keano but I think he is happy at Sunderland.
- Will Fergie be forced to buy a striker, now that Manucho might be out all pre-season? I believe he will sign a new striker but not because of Manucho.
- What will happen with Ronaldo? I believe he will leave, and it will be a good thing in the long run. I was worried we got close to becoming a one man team near the end of last year and if he does go I am sure we will replace him the best we can and bring others in to score the missing 42 goals.
Make sure to tune in to all the pre-season games on MUTV online and just remember that United We'll NEVER DIE!!!
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