Manchester United Crowned Champions Again
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Manchester United win title again, but transfer speculation regarding Ronaldo and Tevez begins.
Manchester United wrapped up a record-equalling 18th league title on Saturday, but faced continued uncertainty regarding the futures of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
A goalless draw against Arsenal was all Sir Alex’s men needed to claim their third league title in a row, which puts them level with Liverpool in terms of titles won. With the Champions League final versus Barcelona looming, and the chance to be the only team to retain Europe’s most coveted club prize, the Red Devils could be on the verge of another legendary season.
Further good news for United suggest that star player Ronaldo will snub the continued advances of Real Madrid. United’s chief executive David Gill was confident that the World Player of the Year will be wearing the Manchester United badge next season: “He’s a great player and he’s part of our club. I’m sure the Spanish press will start rumours and start that whole process going again. But I think we’ve got to be confident that Cristiano will stay,” reported Metro.
In fact Sir Alex last week revealed that Real Madrid’s recent 6-2 demolition at the hands of hated rivals Barcelona could play a big part in Ronaldo’s decision “After Barca battered Real Madrid 6-2, our players were telling Cristiano that if he goes to the Bernabeu he’ll have to play centre-half!”
The same cannot be said of Carlos Tevez though, as the Argentine looks certain to leave United, possibly to one of their direct rivals. Despite the striker’s popularity this year, Tevez has publically revealed his disappointment at a lack of regular first-team football.
Tevez has a two-year loan deal which is on the verge of expiration, and with Sir Alex unprepared to pay the reported £26 million asking price, potential suitors are beginning to circle.
Tevez has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona but it’s the Premiership teams interested that will trouble Sir Alex the most, as he has always been loath to sell to rivals. However with the convoluted nature of Tevez’s contract meaning he effectively has no control over where the player goes, Ferguson could face the unfortunate prospect of facing Tevez next year.
“It will hurt me a lot to leave Manchester United because of the fans and the way they feel towards me. I could go to Spain or Italy but my priority is to stay in England, because this is the most competitive league there is in football at the moment,” Tevez told the Daily Mirror.
The report has already alerted the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, with hints that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could bid £22 million for the hitman.
