The 2008-09 Football Season Thread

For £80m you can buy two entire new teams...

In a few weeks, you'll be able to buy Newcastle for £20 million

Also, who gives a f*ck what Gordon Brown's thoughts on the transfer are?

EDIT - taken from both ManYoo's and SSN's sites

"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," read a club statement.
"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.
"Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice."

Not surprised in the least by Ronaldo leaving this close season. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think his contract is/was down to the last three years - this would be United's last chance to sell him from a strong negotiating position before he started winding it down (he was never going to sign another, let's be honest). You'd like to think Ferguson has replacements lined up. A winger, a tough holding midfielder and a 20-30 goal per season striker, please.

It's easy to forget but Ronaldo was at United for longer than Cantona (not that he had a fraction of Eric's character). We'll miss Ronaldo the player but not Ronaldo the man. Thanks for the goals and the trophies, hope you win f*ck all at Franco FC though.

Quote: Squirrell_of_Doom

What about a new right back?

If Wes Brown can stay fit he'll do, with Rafael and O'Shea as cover we're alright for the time being. Brown's easily mocked but he's a bloody good defender if accident and injury-prone.

City fans on vintage form today btw. This from Blue Moon:

Quote:

Anyone think its funny how the rags release this when they know city holding press for Barry signing..
They hate how we hold the transfer headlines for the last year and the only way they can break us headlinin is by selling their best players....Great get that gimp boyle back on...lmfao

All that money and they're still not worth a w*nk.

Bought for roughly half of what Beckham was sold for, helped us to numerous trophies in his six years, and sold on for £68m profit (wages excluded). A good bit of business. We just have to make sure his goals are replaced.

I think it's fair to say Ronaldo's goalscoring has masked problems elsewhere though - up front obviously and central midfield also hasn't been contributing enough. His departure gives Ferguson the opportunity to balance the team a bit better.

Watch us go back to playing how we did when we had Ruud, enjoy us winning f*ck all