Manchester United might have lifted only thier third European Cup on Wednesday might in Moscow after they defeated Premiership rivals Chelsea 6-5 on penalties in the final but the future of their star player has yet to burst out of the cocoon of uncertainty.
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the world’s best player at the moment and Manchester United are of course grateful that they have him on their payroll. But the problem is that they might not be able to boast of possessing the player next season.
In the aftermath of the Champions League conquest on Wednesday, Ronaldo refused to make any concrete statement on his future. He didn’t exactly say that he was on his way to Spain (and Real Madrid) but he did hint that he could be on his way out of Old Trafford before long.
This is what the 23-year old Portuguese international said after the match:
“I don’t promise nothing, I don’t promise nothing to my mum, I don’t promise nothing to the supporters. I want to stay, but the future … no one knows. I want to stay. We are going to see in the next two weeks, I don’t say I make a decision.”
That tells it, doesn’t it?
But if you think tht it does, then maybe you would have to think it again because this is what the Man United winger has said just recently:
“My future will be clear next week. Everyone will be pleased — my club as well as me.
“I think I will definitely be here next season. Yes, I want to stay. I have played five years for this club and I’d love to stay here.
“I love the people, the players are fantastic, the atmosphere is unbelievable, the staff are great. That is the reason I want to stay.
“We won the most important trophies this season. I want to do it again next season but no one knows the future.
“I want to stay, I feel very happy in the club. I win trophies, the people are friendly, supporters are amazing, everything is fun for me. It’s very good.”
Well, maybe it is all very good but what is miles away from being even remotely good is Cristiano Ronaldo’s fickle-mindedness. One moment he says that he dreams of playing in Spain before long and the very next moment he aclaims that he is happy at Old Trafford.
Somehow you do get the idea that this isn’t going all too well with Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.