Blatter: Let Ronaldo go to Real

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said Cristiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid if he wants. "If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club," he said. "There's too much modern slavery, in transferring players or buying players. We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contracts to keep the players, and then if he wants to leave there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract." When asked about the protracted wrangle over the 23-year-old Portugal winger's future, Blatter insisted players should be allowed to leave with impunity when they want to move clubs. "The important thing is, we should also protect the player," he said. "I'm always in favour of protecting the player, and if the player he wants to leave, let him leave."
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Striker Huntelaar says United are chasing him

Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar claims Manchester United are 'very interested' in signing him.

The 24-year-old's failure to agree a new contract at the Amsterdam ArenA has led to speculation he could be in line for a move, and the Holland frontman reckons the English champions are keen to acquire his services.

'I know certain English clubs are following me, like Manchester United, who are very interested in me,' he told Dutch reporters.

'I love clubs with great history like Ajax, I also love Manchester United.

'It's a club that makes me dream, especially as Ruud van Nistelrooy played there and did great things with them.
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Real giving up on signing of Ronaldo?

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has seemingly conceded defeat in his pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo after admitting 'the most likely scenario' is that the winger will stay with Manchester United.

Calderon will meet United chief executive David Gill on Monday, where it is expected the English Premier League side will issue an official 'hands off' warning to Real.

The Real president told the BBC earlier today the two clubs had not met to discuss a possible transfer of the Portugal star, and claimed he never wanted to cause problems between United and their player.

Later, Calderon revealed the Spanish champions' frenzied pursuit of Ronaldo may now be at an impasse.

'He must love Manchester,' Calderon told Marca. 'Once Manchester decide they want to sell and they tell us this, then we will say that we're talking about a transfer.

'But today that's not happening and therefore this is a situation that may end up as it is now, as nothing, and Cristiano Ronaldo will continue at Manchester next year.

'At the moment, that's the most likely scenario. They (United) don't want to sell so we can't do anything.'

True to form, Calderon admitted he held out some hope of bringing Ronaldo to the Spanish capital, adding that there may be time to convince United to change their mind before the August 31 transfer deadline.

'Theoretically there's still time (for things to change),' he continued.

'There are two months left until the end of August if Manchester get in touch with Real Madrid and make us an offer.

'But still we don't know if it would be possible to buy him even if they did want to sell.'

Reports in Spain suggested United were set to test Real's resolve by offering Ronaldo for around £80million - nearly £12million more than the £67million Real were reportedly prepared to pay.

Calderon admitted that for a player of Ronaldo's calibre such sums were not out of the question, but insisted the figure was only speculation as the two clubs had never discussed terms.

'This is speculation which may be reasonable given what has happened in the major transfers in football history,' he said.

'But we never got round to talking about amounts of money because Manchester never gave us the opportunity to do so.

'He (Ronaldo) said that he would like, that it is his dream, that he would be extremely excited to come to play for Real Madrid, but it is a desire of the player that cannot be realised without Manchester's consent.'

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Sir Alex boosts Fletch hopes

Darren Fletcher has been assured he is very much part of Sir Alex Ferguson's plans for next season.

Fletcher was restricted to 11 starts last term, due to the strong competition for places in United’s midfield and a knee injury which sidelined him for most of April.

But the Scot’s superb two-goal FA Cup display against Arsenal in February demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion, a trait Ferguson values highly.

The Reds boss told Sky Sports: “He’s been very unlucky, but he keeps coming back. He’s an important player to us.

“He always plays well in big games – that’s the great value he brings to the club. He’s a big-game player and we’ve plenty of big games, so he’ll play his part.”

Fletcher revealed in May that his frustration at not playing every week motivates him to succeed when he does get a chance.

“You have to take disappointment and use it as a fuel,” the 24-year-old said. “If you’re not selected then you have to think to yourself ‘I’m going to make an impact if I get on’. You can’t let your head get down at all.

“I’ve picked up injuries at bad times when I’ve got into the team and started to play well. We have a great squad here and I have to be patient.”
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Ronaldo: Decision still pending

The decision on whether Cristiano Ronaldo will have surgery on his right ankle is still to be made, contrary to Thursday morning media reports.

Twelve hours after issuing a statement, a United spokesman reiterated: "Procedures are in place to seek specialist advice, in order to finalise the treatment plan as soon as possible."

The original club statement, as released on Wednesday evening, stated: "Manchester United medical staff met with the medical team from the Portuguese FA and Cristiano Ronaldo in Lisbon today regarding the ongoing treatment of his injured right ankle.

"As a result, further specialist advice is being sought and an announcement will be made on any action in due course." Read more...