Cristiano Ronaldo plans to end the uncertainty over his Manchester United status by tomorrow.
Braced for a potential transfer request, manager Alex Ferguson warned that United’s American owners would banish marquee players like Ronaldo to the stands rather than sell the club’s top assets.
The Scot has been infuriated by Real Madrid’s alleged heavy-handed tactics in trying to attract the Portugal winger, and United have threatened to report the Spanish champions to FIFA.
PHOTO: AP
“I expect there will be news soon,” Ronaldo was quoted in the Portuguese media after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Georgia. “In two or three days, I’m going to announce a decision.”
Ferguson is delighted that US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer, whose family bought United in 2005, is not prepared to sell Ronaldo to a European rival — despite the club’s debts.
“I’ve had a couple of meetings with the Glazers,” Ferguson told reporters. “Their attitude is: ‘To hell with them.’ They’d sit a player in the stand, I’m telling you, absolutely no doubt about it, just to prove a point. Not to give in to these people.”
The Red Devils posted a £58.2 million (US$113.4 million) net loss in the fiscal year ending June 30, last year.
But Ferguson still has no reservations about the Glazers — particularly after they backed him over Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals last season on the path to Premier League and Champions League titles.
“They’ve got balls, I can tell you,” said Ferguson, a 22-season Old Trafford veteran. “I’ve been delighted with them in that respect. They’ve been good to this club, believe me. They have been brilliant owners.”
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