Ronaldo and Tevez

So the silly season has started. The sun is shining and there's nothing to watch on a Sunday afternoon. it can only mean one thing - the close season.

And don't you just hate it?? With nothing new to discuss for the next 10 weeks, we're left with inane newspaper speculation that you find yourself getting overly worked up about, simply because you don't have anything on the field to fill your brain with.

And what was merely a distraction for the past few months becomes centre stage as the emptiness of footballess days stretch out into the distance as far as the eyes can see!

At United, of course, this primarily consists of the Tevez/Ronaldo sagas which are bound to fill column inches, and broadcast time as we plod through the summer. So what will happen... well it's hard to say but for what its worth, here's my two-penneth....

To start with Tevez. Like most United fans, I love him. His attitude, commitment and style of play are all fantastic and I'd love to see him stay... BUT and its a big BUT - if he is going to be the only signing of the summer, will that still leave us short of what we really need.

For me, the complication is Berbatov - I think he was signed as a finisher, but instead of that he has become more of a flair player, a creator rather than a finisher...leaving us with 3 strikers who specialise in the making, rather than the taking of chances. I'd love Tevez to be there alongside a pure front man (ironically what we may give Liverpool with a Torres/Tevez combination), just like I'd like Rooney to have the chance to form a partnership with a predator. But whilst we don't have that predator, it could be a case of too many cooks.... and, alongside the financial problems, this could be the thing that persuades United to look elsewhere.

Who you sign though is another matter. I'm not sure who is out there of the type of striker we need. For me, I've always rated Huntelaar, ever since he was at PSV. But whether he would be available from Madrid is anyone's guess. I've not seen enough of Benzemar to form an opinion, but there doesn't seem to be a raft of names to choose from - and in that case is it 'better the devil you know' with Tevez than taking a risk from elsewhere.

Now Ronaldo... This may be controversial but I think it's a growing feeling amongst match-going United fans. It wouldn't concern me overly if we allow him to go.

Don't get me wrong, he's a fantastic player. I love watching him play and he is a key part of our team and success. But there is more to a player than that. For me, his on-field antics can be costly and frustrating. The pedestrian way he picks himself up when he has been felled legally means he is generally still in an offside position when we win the ball back; he seems to believe he is not required to track back in the same way as his teammates and this means that, in Europe, the manager doesn't trust him to occupy a midfield position.

By moving Ronaldo to a position where his lack of defensive effort is marginalised, we lose Wayne Rooney from his most effective position through the middle - something clear in the final against Barcelona.

There is also the things that wouldnt matter to some but do to me. I want players who WANT to play for Manchester United, WANT to be part of a team, and APPRECIATE values that have evolved over years of how United players behave.

Cristiano plays for himself. Individual honours matter a hell of a lot to him and he doesn't have a team mentality - witness the ridiculous tantrum when he was taken off against City. Do we really want a player, who blatently enjoys people speculating endlessly about where he will play his football, stirs up the press one way and then the other purely for the attention it will bring. And doesn't give a second thought to how this affects United in the slightest.

Another question is his behaviour towards the fans. Most outside United don't realise that the fans, especially the fans that travel away, have a special relationship with the players. There is an unwritten rule that players will go to the fans at the end of the game - whatever the result. Ronaldo blatantly ignores these instructions week after week. It was never more evident than in Rome on Wednesday, when he remained on the halfway line whilst the entire team and staff came to the United fans to thank them for their support.

And is it me, or does he rarely join in the team celebration of a goal - unless it is him who has netted. Surely it is not good to have someone in the dressing room who sees himself as somehow above the rest. Just an outside observation but drawn from plenty of visual evidence.

So there the decision lies - does his obvious talent and importance negate all these factors... or does the old adage that no-one is bigger than the club have to come into play?

It's difficult. But I for one am getting tired of someone treating the club I love with such distain, acting like he is doing us a HUGE favour by reluctantly agreeing to stay whilst courting attention from elsewhere like a partner looking for a fling with someone else. You want people who know the value of the shirt and appreciate the honour of representing United- emotional maybe, but I believe it is the attitude of many of his teammates - AND they don't have to kiss the badge or anything stupid like that to show it. They show it by doing the opposite of the actions of Ronaldo I have outlined above.

It is for these reasons that, whilst I would be upset if he left for the loss of his skill, talent and goals, I would accept that in terms of the team and club as a whole, it could be for the best in the long run.

The decision, of course will lie with the manager... and in Sir Alex we have the best man to judge whether his talent outways the downsides. No doubt the soap opera will run and run (well if Ronaldo has any say!!!)

Both sagas are set to occupy our thoughts for the next few weeks at least, and no doubt the aftermath will also cause plenty of debate. Well at least it gives us something to talk about!!

Back from Rome - Champions League Final

Well, I'm back from Rome - just!!

What a mess that trip was from start to finish, what with being kept hanging around airports for hours on end, being taken to wrong coach parks, not seeing ANY of Rome except a stadium and a car park and then - to add insult to injury - only getting back at 6am to Manchester airport after the worst organisation i have seen at a football match for many a year......unsuprising then that in the midst of this chaos (which I might add, I paid 600 quid for) there was the disappointment of losing a pretty important football match.

To be honest, I am gutted - but maybe not as gutted as I thought I would be. True, United just simply didn't show up. maybe the season caught up with them, maybe the pressure told, maybe the art of grinding out results (which we have done a lot this season) just wasn't what was called for in the atmosphere of last night. But whatever it was - you have to hold your hands up and admit that we were beaten by a GREAT GREAT side, and that hurts less than being beaten by a controversial decision or a mediocre side getting lucky.

We have to look at their players as the benchmark, their style as the pinnacle and their technique as the aim. And to be honest losing this way is good for players at times as it makes them analyse where they need to improve and what they can do to be the best - and more importantly keeps that burning desire alive to ensure that a repeat of the pain they felt isn't repeated.

There is a danger, in these amazingly successful times, of believing your own press. The events of last night will show them they aren't invincible, that someone can match them on skill, ability, drive and determination and that there is still room for plenty of work and improvement.

It also shows those at the top that whilst we have a big squad and a great squad, it is NOT the finished article. Maybe it can be added to, to keep that improvement coming, alongside the development of the younger players already here which will no doubt continue.

The perofrmance last night was poor, no question, and I feel the hurt of every United fan today. But I firmly believe that positives will come out of it. I know the players feel it, and those who are true United players will use it as the incentive to drive themselves on..... and United fans can rest assured that those who don't use it as a spur will be left behind, not drag us down - that is what makes this club simply great and the manager we have the unique inspiration he is.

Rome Preparations and randomness

Well, I'm off to Rome in 7 hours and this time tomorrow we'll either be celebrating a 4th European Cup or commiserating over coming so close to making history by being the only team to have retained the Champions League.

I'm fairly confident that I know what the team will be in the Stadio Olimpico - van der Sar, Evra, OShea, Ferdinand (if fit), Vidic - they will be the back five. Three in midfield - Giggs Carrick and Anderson. Wide will be Rooney and Park; and ronaldo will be up front on his own.

I can't see there being much change from this but Sir Alex likes the element of suprise so who knows what could happen. Barcelona are a great side, and if they turn up - which they've failed to on a few occasions against English teams - could well tear us apart. I just hope we can put the finishing touch to what has been a fantasic season.

To win three trophies is a fantastic achievement and I hope that, if we do fail to make it four, that it is still seen as a superb season. the players deserve full credit for the way they have kept going. And although we hate it at times, the rotational policy of changing the team week in week out has worked a treat in keeping the players fresh.

So now its a trip to Rome. It's not ideal, going for half a day, being ferried around to places you don't want to be and trying to follow the conflicting safety advice given to you by different channels. Hopefully all will pass off peacefully and the Italian nutters won't be out in force, but there's always that worry. I also hate having a ticket on me worth hundreds and hundreds of pounds - I'm such a worrier! But after my last visit to Rome, who can blame me. Experiencing the vicious Italian Police with their weilding batons is not something I'd like to see a repeat of. They seem to think you're a hooligan and that's the end of the story - so therefore you deserve to be beaten to within an inch of your life - even though in reality you are a football fan, coming to a foreign city to have a good time and watch a match.

Following United gives you plenty of drama, and I've been fortunate enough to experience some great highs - 10 years ago today I was in Barcelona to witness the most dramatic final in history as Sheringham and Solskjaer scored in stoppage time to claim the trophy... hard to believe that was 10 years ago and part of an amazing couple of months of drama which saw us lift the treble.

Not much will ever top that season - even last year in Moscow, when John Terry missed the penalty for Chelsea just as we had all given up hope of lifting the cup

The there's been the last minute winners, superb unbelievable comebacks. i have been blessed to be a witness at every glorious twist and turn over the past 16 years or so...and for that i feel so lucky.

But the adrenalin still exists - the butterflies still come with every big game, as the fear of failure kicks in. i'm never the most confident of United fans - I suppose its always better when you expect to lose - although it doesn't help the pain if you do fail!

So will it be glory or pain tomorrow - we'll see

Bank Holiday Monday Musings

Well what started as a lovely sunny feel-good weather day has turned into a bit of a threatening thunderous afternoon.... but hopefully that won't stop me going for a walk in an hour or so to blow the cobwebs away and get my vitamin D fix for the day.

Just watching Burnley play Sheffield United for the right to play in the Premier League next season - wanting Burnley to win as it's less far to travel for the away game against them next season - Plus Turf Moor is one of those proper football places I like. The fans are a bit old school these days and no doubt they'll get the usual Premier League hangers-on if they do manage to hang on to this lead and go up - but I think they'll be a good addition to the league. Plus its something new - nothing worse than having the same clubs yo-yoing up and down year in year out.

Of course its a big week for my own club - Manchester United. As someone who travels home and away to watch them, i am of course heading to Rome on Wednesday for the most expensive day out you'll find anywhere!! Over £600 for a day trip - well half a day by the time you get there - but should the result go our way it will be worth it!

I think most people who have watched United week in week out this year could probably pick the team that will run out in the Stadio Olimpico. Van der sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand (if he's fit), vidic, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Anderson, Park, Rooney, Ronaldo. With Ronaldo up front on his own, Park and Rooney wide.

I think this will definitely be the line up - Sir Alex Ferguson won't trust ronaldo to play in midfield as there'll be a lot of tracking back to do against the likes of Messi... but of course he has to play for his ability to win the game in a flash.

I love football. Just thinking while watching this playoff final. There is little else that dictates emotions and life like a game of football. How I'll feel on Thursday is 99.9% down to how things go on wednesday night...... How these sheffield united and burnley fans spend their weekends for the next year depends on what happens on that pitch in the next 20 minutes. Will they be going to old Trafford, Anfield, and The Emirates... playing the likes of Scunthorpe, Peterborough and.... err Newcastle United.

Unbelievable to think that that club, its huge stadium and infastructure will be in the Championship next year - but that's what i love about football. It can happen to anyone - no matter the perceived size and structure. if things go wrong on the pitch then your league status will fall. That's why promotion and relegation must NEVER be abolished in football like it has been in Rugby League.

It keeps the dream alive for clubs like Burnley and Hull, who would probably never have been 'elected' into a fat-cat premier league. And also keeps open the punishment of failure where it really matters. On the pitch.