Charlton: We've had Ronaldo's best years

Stuart Mathieson

June 19, 2009

Sir Bobby Charlton

UNITED legend Sir Bobby Charlton believes Cristiano Ronaldo will eventually regret leaving Old Trafford.

The 71-year-old, who has spent more than half a century with his beloved Reds, is confident Sir Alex Ferguson will find a suitable replacement but thinks the £80m fee for the Portuguese superstar is 'vulgar.'

"It is an enormous amount of money and it sometimes seems a little bit vulgar," Charlton said on club business in Beijing where the Reds signed a five-year partnership deal with electronics brand Aigo.

"But nevertheless that is business, I am afraid. We have responsibilities as a company and to all the fans that support United and it was decided that Ronaldo could go.

"It's a lot of money. It seems crazy really, but the more money the players cost, the more the TV companies appear to be able to contribute.

"Ronaldo is a great player. I suppose in time, he will reflect and say the best time he ever had in football was when he was at United."

Charlton admits time will tell whether the sale of Ronaldo to Real Madrid was the right one.

He said: "There's been a little bit of soul-searching. We shall never know until the season starts. It's an enormous amount. We will make sure we will use it properly and the club will be better for it."

Ronaldo has scored 118 goals in 291 appearances since he joined United in 2003 but Charlton doesn't think he is irreplaceable.

"Instead of him? I'll have to leave that to Alex Ferguson. The manager is a great judge of the player," he said.

Brave

"He is very brave, he's very brave with his decisions, he's very decisive with his decisions, and that is why he's been a major success. Who the player will be I don't know, but they will be worthy of putting on the shirt for United.

"Ronaldo leaves us because as a young boy he always dreamt about playing for Real Madrid, so if he leaves us it is with our blessing.

"We are very grateful that he has scored goals, that he has played well, that he's contributed to the fame of United.

"He is a great player. He's been with us for five or six years and in that time he has improved beyond all recognition. But we have no divine rights, we talked him out of it for one year but he's gone and we move on."

United have already switched their attentions to finding Ronaldo's successor and making a dent in their £80m windfall.

Wigan's Antonio Valencia looks first on the shopping list although United will face competition from Real Madrid for him and for strike target Karim Benzema.

Latics chairman Dave Whelan said: "United definitely remain very interested in Valencia. I am expecting the transfer market to really rev up come next week when people return from holidays."

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has once again stated that the 21-year-old Benzema wants to stay at the Stade Gerland but accepts events could change.

"Karim has said that he wants to stay another year at Lyon," said Aulas who admitted he has been approached over a possible deal for the French hit-man.

"He's staying but I think that Kaka or Ronaldo imagined remaining with their respective clubs," he said.

Sir Alex Ferguson returns from his holiday in the South of France in the middle of next week and will be looking to get his plans in place quickly.

Firstly, he needs to know if Carlos Tevez will be staying or moving on - possibly to City.

Who should United spend the £80m on? Have your say.

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IzziesDaddy, Fareham (19/06/2009 at 09:03)

I think we should look at signing Arron Lennon, he tore us apart twice this season!

If we can teach that boy to cross a ball and stop playing around with his eyebrows we could be on to a winner?

edinburgh red, edinburgh (19/06/2009 at 09:09)

I'd get valencia (14million),young (20million),abgenlor (18 million),reo cocker (7 million)can cover rb and midfield, de rossi (15 million),maicon (15 million)total 89 million.
Another point how on earth did ballack escape punishment from eufa.

barca99, Salford (19/06/2009 at 09:20)

Firstly Tevez has said he aint joining the Bindippers, he respects the United fans and says he doesnt want to play for one of our rivals, on that basis he's probably going to City then!!

Secondly couldnt agree more with Sir Bobs comments, though we should be thankful for Ronaldos contribution we will move on, its the nature of United to do so, the nature of SAF will most definitely not let us stagnate, for Erics sake its not the end of the world to lose ONE player, personally i think United will now be better off as a team as the team will be closer as a unit without the Beckhamesque distractions that Ronaldo was undoubtedly bringing to the club.

As for Ronaldos best years being at United only time will tell, what he will find out is that Madrid will be a different proposition than United, he will not have the stability he has had at United because you can be certain that the squad will be changed constantly under Perez's presidency and most certainly the manager will be, Ronaldo has been bought for Madrid as part footballer and part merchandising cash cow, with the latter being the predominant reason (a la Beckham).

With the obituaries already being written of Uniteds imminent demise and collapse, can you imagine a Glaswegian, sipping the finest wine, chuckling to himself whilst lapping up the Southern French sunshine and licking his lips at the season ahead and how he'll be the one laughing last, SAF will be absolutely chomping at the bit to once again prove that he is indeed the master.

ROLL ON 09/10 SEASON - MUFC FOREVER

Brian, Brussels (19/06/2009 at 09:27)

Not convinced about Valencia but I would be more than happy if we signed him along with Benzema. That would restore the the pace, power and goal scoring threat that we have just lost but please, please don't waste anymore money on Tevez.

danny, WILMSLOW (19/06/2009 at 09:30)

Dreams rubbish absloute tosh that boy has gone for money and bright lights.
Tevez is now demanding 110.000 per week far to much for him in fact far to much for Rio as well I would sell Rio alawys sick now and Carrick to slow. and get two other players rather than Tevez I would prefer Benzema!

seasider, blackpool (19/06/2009 at 09:34)

Charlton is, of course, right.
Whatever Ronaldo goes on to achieve, I have absolutely no doubt that he will fail to shine as brightly in white as he did in red.

Gilly, Belgium (19/06/2009 at 09:53)

Ronaldo will still be a damn good player where ever he plays .
There are not that many good players in the pl in my opinion , some are ok , but not great !
Sad but true
We need to buy wisely

danny, WILMSLOW (19/06/2009 at 09:54)

If this story is true United should get him signed up double quick and send the greedy Tevez on his way

danny, WILMSLOW (19/06/2009 at 09:54)

Sir Alex Ferguson has been told he can have prime target Karim Benzema - if he come up with £30m

Red Culture (19/06/2009 at 09:58)

edinburgh red, I thank God you are not our manager. You are trying to buy Aston Villa? Of your list of players only Maicon will suffice mate.

I wouldn't buy Aaron Lennon either and I am sure as a mouse can tell cheese from butter Fergie won't buy him.

Horace Hughes, Salford (19/06/2009 at 10:01)

Not on Tevez. We need more than someone who occasionally scores. We need a player like Van Nistlerooy who will score loads of goals, selfish but not unlike Ronaldo who shot most times when a pass might of been better, but scored plenty, or someone like Sheringham, who can link the play with midfield, and get us 15-20+ goals a season. With Rooney playing up front as well not left wing, like he plays for England. I Cant see why Campbell is being allowed to leave, as he is getting better. Look at Rossi, Forlan and Ebanks Blake, for example of players not being given a chance. Hopefully Wellbeck and Macheda, or the other Italian, Petrucci come good. Manucho is not good enough and should be sold. We also need to look at our midfield. Not one player, apart from Hargreaves, if he is fit and still at the same level of play, fills me with aspirations to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Maybe the young serb Ljajic, who is supposed to be the next Kaka, could do it, but he doesnt come to us until January I believe, and he is only 18. Give Nani and Tosic a run of games on the wings, see if they improve. Not sure Valencia would offer much different. Defence is ok, with plenty of players good enough to cover all positions. Maybe need another goalie. I would love Foster to come good, but he seems to pick up injuries fairly frequently. Kuschack is not good enough and should be sold. Van Der Sar should be used as back up to whoever takes over. If we can only win 1 trophy next season then I hope its the Championship. 19 titles and 4 on the trot. No one else has ever done this, and would show the football world Utd are bigger than 1 player, as some supporters are already saying its the end of an era.

Roy (19/06/2009 at 10:02)

The great Sir Bobby is being generous and compassionate here.

IzziesDaddy - heck, with 80m we can buy Lennon just for one-on-one training for Evra.

And Barca99, like the vision you paint regarding SAF in the south of France. If Utd do get Tevez I hope Sir Alex gives him a royal hairdryer for referring to him as the 'old man', before teling him to prove Man United right signing him.

Still doubt he'll stay but if he does, one fan here needs convincing anew regarding Tevez.

The Manc Man, Manchester (19/06/2009 at 10:14)

We may have had Ronaldos best days but we should wish him well and forget about him now. I'd love Benzema to come to us but i have my doubts that he will,Valencia is well worth signing he's fast,direct and has the potential to be a Kanchelskis like player and as for Tevez i think someone is getting ideas above their station (Carlos or Kia?) but as i've said before i'd be happy to pay £15m but not a penny more, More pressing though is a world class defensive midfielder Toure,Di Rossi,Mascherano or Senna would be nice and if not we've always got O'Shea!

tooth&claw, manchester (19/06/2009 at 10:14)

IzziesDaddy, Lennon tore Evra apart but then generally crossed to van der Saar or the opposite cornerflag. Something that's been his problem throughout his short career. No end product. He's had several top coaches who knew that and coached him intensively but he hasn't moved on.

Edinburgh Red. Reo Coker? What a strange suggestion! Buy someone who'd be our 4th best right back or sixth best midfielder. And why suddenly are people saying we should buy Maicon? Since when has he become good enough for United? It must have been very recently.

danny Wilmslow, so you think Tevez would have told the Sun his pay demands then?

davmac, manchester (19/06/2009 at 10:18)

Sir Alex Ferguson was once in precisely the same position as Ronaldo. In Scotland, in the late 50s and early 60s, he played for Queens Park, Dunfermline and St. Johnstone but made no secret of the fact that he wanted to play for Rangers, the team he supported as a boy. He got his wish in 1967, when Rangers splashed out a then Scottish record of £27,000, for him. So, I have no doubt that Fergie had a lot of sympathy for Ronaldo - and rightly, too. As for United getting Ronaldo's best years, I'm not so sure. He's only 24. I still think we are going to see some great things from Ronaldo -especially in five years time, when his contract at Madrid runs out and he decides to return to United to prevent Fergie retiring!

Johnniejohn, Tunbridge Wells (19/06/2009 at 10:25)

The most vulgar thing about United is the Glazers and the sucking up to them by the likes of Charlton

Paul M (19/06/2009 at 10:38)

With Ronaldo moving on we already have a new player for next season - Rooney! He will look a completely different player with more responsibility and a more central role. He proved he was better last year during the period Ronaldo was missing. More direct and more ruthless.

We should then take the £80m, add a bit more and buy the nearest thing to Roy Keane we can find at under 26 years old. Problem is I can't think of a single name.

Gary Breen (19/06/2009 at 10:54)

Am I the only one who has thought the very public pursuit of Valencia might be a smokescreen? A way to put pressure on the other clubs we are dealing with? T&C said a few years back that since the arrival of the Glazers we now line up bids for two targets playing in the same position (such as Senna and Hargreaves) hoping it will make the selling clubs slightly more desperate. Could this be a case?

Bellingham, West Gorton Massive (19/06/2009 at 11:29)

Aren't we all (Sir Bobby included) just trying to kid ourselves that everything's going to be fine when really its all falling apart around us? Simply burying our head in the sand is no solution and just like when we tried to defend Eric's kung foo antics makes us all look a bit stupid. I'm a life long United fan and always will love this great club of ours but isn't it time to face facts and admit that this is the beginning of the end of our period of dominance.

Duncan, London (19/06/2009 at 11:50)

"I'm a life long United fan and always will love this great club of ours but isn't it time to face facts and admit that this is the beginning of the end of our period of dominance."

Bellingham - I think you are confusing facts with your crystal ball. Think back. How many times have you said that same thing to yourself in the last 20 years? Did you say that in 1998 or 2002 or 2006? I don't understand how you can be so negative after we have lost one of our players albeit our best. I don't know what will happen but saying this is the end comes across as defeatist, extremely negative and, dare I say it, a little bit wet.

Eddie the red, Surrey born and bred, Middlesex (19/06/2009 at 12:01)

Some poeple would sell their soul for the right price. Anyone know if Bobby has any cup-final tickets for sale?

Fredrik, Sweden (19/06/2009 at 12:14)

I can't understand why we sell our players without a fight, Gill should learn from Aulas and Levy. Forlan 2m, Rossi 6m, Pique 6m, those three are probably worth 60m+ today.

Why are we paying 5m a season for Tevez while we at the same time allow RM to sign Ronaldo for 8m a season, if we assume he plays for them for ten years. 80m is a lot of money but not for the best player in the world who is only 23. We should have asked for 120m plus Robben and made them wait until the last days of August. Or do the Glazers need the money now?

tooth&claw, manchester (19/06/2009 at 12:17)

Gary Breen, no, I think the Valencia deal is genuine and would have happened whether or not Ronaldo stayed. He's not a replacement for Ronaldo, as it will be portrayed by the papers, he's a long term target to add to the squad. SAF has always liked a speedy winger and a jinky winger in the squad to deploy as necessary. As for other recruits, I don't think we are in for a tiny fraction of the names being bandied about. Benzema may be the only one we are truly interested in. I think SAF will stick pretty much to the original long-term plan. That may mean a couple of highly rated youngsters arrive, rather than a big splash signing. With something like £100m to play with SAF can recruits in every area and increase competition for places with a view to VDS, Neville, Scholes and Giggs winding down and Rio being injury prone. With those sums he may take the plunge and get a young replacement for Hargreaves. Had Ronaldo not been sold I think SAF may have sat out this transfer window.

Jos Parlby (19/06/2009 at 12:17)

Yes, the 80 million for Ronaldo is a bit vulgar, but on the other hand, Lord Charlton of Ashington was in China to sign up Aigo International Inc as United's new 'Audio, Video, Hard-drive Storage and Multimedia partner of choice' for a 35 million fee, which isn't a bit vulgar. Not at all. Of course, if the fee were 50 million, that might be just a little bit vulgar.

And Tevez says he will stay if he's offered more money than Berbatov and Ferdinand. That isn't vulgar, either; though no doubt if Tevez gets his way, Rio will be banging on the directors' room door demanding a wage increase to put him back above Tevez again.

On the bright side, I hear that a deal is imminent that will see a major multinational company paying 25 million to be United's partner of choice in the area of Hair Replacement Technology, Devices and Therapy - a bit late for Charlton, but just in the nick of time for Sir Ferguson.

tooth&claw, manchester (19/06/2009 at 12:23)

Duncan, Bellingham is trying to kid on he's a United fan.

Fredrik, the point in each of those cases is that we were selling them. We initiated the deals. No-one came to us with a big offer to try to prise a player we wanted to keep from our hands. It's like with the kids who don't make it in the academy, we have a duty to try and help them find another club.

On the Ronaldo thing, it was a gentleman's agreement. That's what SAF and Ronaldo agreed to and when Ronaldo invoked the move we were honour bound to accept. You can't go back and change the terms.

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