Although Cristiano Ronaldo has only recently admitted that he’d like to leave Old Trafford and hook up with the Spanish champions, it appears that the Portuguese superstar had agreed personal terms regarding a transfer several months ago. That would mean that while he was strutting his stuff and winning trophies for Man United, he was cavorting with Real Madrid on his days off, rather than trying to get that wretched golf handicap down to single figures.
The Guardian report that a senior Manchester United source has been in touch to make this startling revelation. Indeed, there appears to be a growing amount of evidence in the Spanish papers to back this up, featuring pictures of the player in various locations with Real Madrid officials. Unless of course it was just a coincidence and that he’d popped over for an ice cream.
‘They have been talking for at least two months,’ the source told Observer Sport last night, ‘and it was all agreed with Real Madrid weeks ago. All this chat from [Real president] Ramón Calderón that he does not want to upset Manchester United, and Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be bought because he belongs to another club, is absolute rubbish. Discussions have gone way beyond the point of no return. Sir Alex Ferguson knows this now so you can imagine how it has gone down.’
If the above is true, the Scot might have initially be raging, although Fergie has enough experience not to chase lost causes, no matter how valuable a player Ronaldo had become at Old Trafford. You can bet your bottom dollar (or even your top one) that the Man United manager is now thinking about which player(s) to acquire which would act as a suitable replacement.