my favourite writer -> Holt
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/13/sir-alex-ferguson-is-bullet-proof-he-will-not-worry-about-ronaldo-s-histrionics-115875-21354556/
One interpretation of Cristiano Ronaldo’s absurd posturing on
the Old Trafford touchline on Sunday was that it was a threat to
Sir Alex Ferguson’s authority.
Well, let’s put that one right straight away.
Ronaldo may be a very fine footballer indeed but there’s nothing
he can do, nothing he can say, no tantrum he can throw, no strop he
can perform, that could affect the aura surrounding the Manchester
United manager.
Standing on the touchline pouting like a diva isn’t going to do
it and snatching a tracksuit top from an assistant and flinging it
on the floor isn’t going to work either. He may be World Footballer
of the Year but he hasn’t the power to destabilise Ferguson and
never will have.
A win at Wigan tonight and a draw with Arsenal on Saturday will
add yet another league title – his 11th – to Ferguson’s collection.
To paraphrase the late BBC presenter Robin Day, why should United
fans prefer a here-today-gone-tomorrow prima donna like Ronaldo
over a man like Ferguson?
The time for challenging Ferguson’s authority passed a long,
long time ago. Trust me, I should know. A few years back, in the
midst of Fergie’s Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba, Rock of Gibraltar
period, I suggested in a book he’d gone on too long.
Whoops-a-daisy. That ship has sailed. Ferguson could buy a
couple of ring-tailed lemurs this summer and stick them up front
with Wayne Rooney and I’d still back his judgment.
When he had won one Champions League trophy in 21 years at one
of the world’s richest clubs, he was vulnerable to criticism. Now,
he’s on the brink of winning his third and ending the argument
about who is Britain’s most successful manager of all time, the man
is bullet-proof. So when Ronaldo stands with his back to him on the
touchline like a two-year-old, he just makes himself look like an
utter fool.
The match against Manchester City was already won and Ferguson
was paying Ronaldo a compliment by bringing him off to save his
legs for the rest of the run-in.
Everyone else could see that, just like everyone else can see
that even though Ronaldo deserves to be hailed the best player in
the world, the biggest loser if he leaves this summer will not be
Ferguson or United. Of course, they’ll miss him if he picks up his
teddies and jets off to Real Madrid. But not as much as Ronaldo
will miss them.
Ferguson has built a squad at United that could withstand the
departure of any single player.
Ronaldo has been a massive contributor to the success but I’d
still back United to win the title again next season, with or
without him.
With Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov up front and strength in depth
all over the pitch, they’re too strong simply to wither away.
And if Ronaldo goes, Ferguson will buy big to add another
attacking option. It might be Franck Ribery or Karim Benzema.
Whoever it is, it will ensure United remain a formidable force at
home and in Europe.
The same might not quite be true of the man last seen stamping
his foot on the Old Trafford touchline. Real Madrid may hold a
sentimental attachment for him but that will soon wear off when
Barcelona are sticking six past them.
Ronaldo will make them a better team but won’t be a remedy for
their core weaknesses in defence and organisation. If he goes to
Madrid, it may be a while before he sees a Champions League Final
again.
So the next time Ferguson calls him to the touchline, Ronaldo
might be better served behaving like a man rather than a child. And
realising he needs Ferguson more than Ferguson needs him.
