Lippi: Ronaldo at the right club

Stuart Mathieson

March 15, 2007

WORLD Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi has told Cristiano Ronaldo that he'll never find a better club than United.

The 58-year-old, who led Italy to the World Cup in Germany last summer and has won five Serie A titles with Juventus and the Champions League, has warned the coveted 22-year-old against leaving Old Trafford.

Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid want to lure him to the sunnier climes of La Liga.

The Reds are countering with a lucrative new contract and are currently in negotiations.

Ronaldo was the star of the show in the first-half in United and UEFA's celebration match against Lippi's Europe XI on Tuesday night.

Difficult

And the Italian said: "To get to a better team or a better club would be difficult for Cristiano Ronaldo.

"He is a great player with genius and imagination and great technical skills."

Meanwhile Edwin van der Sar looks set to miss United's Premiership game with Bolton at Old Trafford on Saturday after injuring his calf in the warm-up before the FA Cup clash at Middlesbrough.

"The scan showed there was a little damage in my calf, but hopefully it won't take too long to heal," he said.

"I don't think I will be back in time to face Bolton, that will be pushing it."

Do you think Van der Sar's absence will cost United? Have your say.

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Paul (15/03/2007 at 09:26)

Hurrah! Finally an outsider saying he should stay. Pretty bad news about Edwin, KitKat better not mess this up, we need these nine points as I feel Chelsea will win every remaining game

Joe, Malta (15/03/2007 at 09:35)

VDS absence might affect United's performance vs Bolton but it shouldn't. I hope that against Bolton we just win the game no matter how we play. Yesterday Chelsea got the result they wanted playing badly against a mediocre batch of so called players. Now they're only 6 points away and it seems that they will continue nick 1-0 wins against every team they play.

Birdy, Ireland (15/03/2007 at 10:37)

Couldve murdered the people at Sky Sports News last night. Hadnt seen the Chelsea game and put on Sky news to checkthe score. While waiting the league table came up and showed Chelsea 9 points behind us and level on games and i thought a miracle had happended and City had won

Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (15/03/2007 at 11:34)

definately squeeky bum time now. It only takes one bad result against us and chelsea could be only 3 points behind. The gap isn't very big, even with there only a few games left. Still alot to do, but i'm still confident we will lift the trophy in may. United have been by far the best team in the league this year, and arguably amongst the best in europe at the moment.

Birdy, Ireland (15/03/2007 at 12:16)

Utd For Life dont forget about our goal difference - its worth a point. It means it would take Chelsea at least 3 games to pass us, assuming we lost the 3 and they won theirs

Macca, Cornwall (15/03/2007 at 12:29)

i agree, united have been by far the best team this season, and chelsea have been pretty poor. but why do i feel that we are always on the verge of slipping up and i know chelsea wont drop points! massive game at home to bolton that we must win to keep the pressure on the russians, if we show the same resiliance (which we have been recently) its only going to deflate chelsea every game. 2 big players out on saturday in scholes and VDS, hopefully they wont be missed - and hopefully we can perform well in a lunchtime kick off for once.

terry (15/03/2007 at 13:03)

Thanks Marcello. You're the man - total class - next ManU manager? (Sorry Carlos)

Gerry, Glastonbury (15/03/2007 at 13:11)

In the short term the Bolton game is vital for us to win.
No Scholes, Saha or VDS so this won't be easy. Bolton are a very capable side. Hope the Squadies do the business. After that we're back to full strength in the Prem' so no excuses but we need this result badly. Chelsea just 3 or 4 points behind would be a nightmare!

Mercury, Brussels (15/03/2007 at 13:57)

Good news? it's only a personal comment by Lippi. Real Madrid has just declared (read www.marca.com) that "this one will put the Bernabeau on its feets). Real president has confirmed that Ronnie his heading to Madrid it's just a matter of United naming the fee. Poor Us

Demo, Glossop (15/03/2007 at 14:31)

I think ronnie should take note of such comments from a world class independant coach who knows where is best for him. As for the real quote its nothing mroe than another bid to unsettle ronnie and means jack all! Just you wait CR will be signing a contract extension with united very shortly

Joe, Malta (15/03/2007 at 14:32)

Mercury Brussels, I thought he had to move before the start of THIS season together withs Robben, Fabregas and Kaka. No? That's not what Real fans were promised?
The "real" Real Madrid situation is that the club is trying to do everything to alienate their fans from the messy situation they re in.

Dave-K, ex-Cheadle (15/03/2007 at 14:48)

If Lippi were a few years younger I'd say he fancied Alex's job. In the meantime, I hope Ronaldo does take notice of someone like this. Compared to their normal high standards, Real Madrid have been a bit of a shambles over the past few years. How many managers? How many trophies? Of course, there's always the Mourinho factor. If he goes to Madrid then that may well put a different complexion on things: don't Jose and CR share the same agent?

VALTINHO, LISBON (15/03/2007 at 14:51)

I PREFER SPANISH FOOTBALL and so does Ronaldo BUT if United buys a couple of top players( Quaresma,an Attacking midfielder with Kakas talent and another striker) they will be really good next year and will convice me and Ronaldo that United is the club to be....so please open your pockets now.

Jimmy the Red, Winnipeg (15/03/2007 at 15:39)

I think you're possibly right about Lippi feathering his nest Terry. But I also think Lippi is also right. Ronaldo IS at the best club.

Anthony, Hamilton,Ontario,Canada (15/03/2007 at 16:33)

Loosing a goalkeeper of Edwins calibre will affect any team, but you have to carry on. I only wish that it was Foster filling in. This kid has got fantastic clearances and a great shot stopper and on top of that will fit with any defence as he shown against Spain.I do hope he plays for England against Isreal. As for Ronaldo, I hope that he decides to stay at United. Let's face it, the young man is a gem.If he decides to go,then no one,including Ronaldo, would blame United for wanting the highest price tag of all time.

Paul (15/03/2007 at 18:05)

Mercury. If it's up to us to name the fee, I think we'd settle for the debt repaid, the stadium, the players and the South of Spain.

DanMCFC, Middleton (15/03/2007 at 18:39)

Ronaldo is at ' the best club in the world '. no seriously, he is in the best team currently in the leauge, with the second best manager in the leauge, at the best ground in the leauge, but is playin in front of the WORST fans in the country and the world. the tourist and day trippers and the cockney reds supporters club. the thialand supporters club. the rep of ireland reds.

Steve Chew, usa (15/03/2007 at 19:11)

Lippi is absolutely correct. MU is the only top club that's stable right now. All the other top European clubs are in different stages of transition. Ronaldo will waste at least 2 precious years if he joins any unsettled club. His star performance depend upon his supporting cast which in turn is tied to club stability. It would be very foolish for CR to walk away from what he has now. Heed Mr. Lippi's advice, Cristiano.

Whaley Bridge Cynic (15/03/2007 at 20:29)

United can't defend corners with or without Van De Saar.
Bolton will bring Chelsea back into the Title Race

ian (15/03/2007 at 21:53)

Well lippi could be the next utd manager if fergie decides to call it a day and lippi would attract big names.
You just never know.

bobbydazzler (16/03/2007 at 10:08)

dan mfc a red is a red regardless of where he is born, it would be great if all 76,000 matchgoers where from manchester but does that really matter. I live 15 miles away and wigan/bolton are my nearest teams but since the first day I walked in at ot in 63 i have been hooked. I suppose i am a day tripper. INcidentally why are you not supporting your local team the latics.

Demo, Glossop (16/03/2007 at 11:26)

Good point bobbydazzler. I liked the way danmcfc managed to show he is really a red by acknowledging the class of united and how they are the best - something a true bitter blue would never do! The problem for me is if i want to support a football team that is local it only leaves one team in manchester - united (as city cant be classed as a football team)

foreverinourshadow, salford (16/03/2007 at 11:32)

DanMCFC - thank you for your concerns during these dark days for you. Once again,thank you.

I like man u and I like sporting lisbon.
and I hope cristiano stay...
because is better for him...
the premiere is watched in intired world and la liga is
watched only in spain...

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