Monday, June 9, 2008

Should Ronaldo Leave Manchester United?

The rumour mills are going into hyperdrive as day after day the intensity that surrounds questions over Cristiano Ronaldo's future grows, so much so that the player now requires police escorts at Euro 2008, where he is just one of many players in the Portuguese squad. While there is no doubt that he is one of the better, if not the best, player in the side, it is still quite a spectacle to see so many armed guards following his every move, protecting him from both the media and expected fan mobs.

So, should Ronaldo move on to greener pastures (depending on which side of the fence you are on), or seek to become a United legend in Manchester? He could perhaps be thinking that there is nothing else he can win with his current team, and the Red Devils certainly cannot provide him with fresh challenges except to stamp his mark in its history books by becoming a true great. That prospect certainly does not seem to attract the young Portuguese winger much, and the lure of the Spanish sun and sandy beaches, as well as a lot more money, is proving the stronger at the moment. Ronaldo has spoken of his desire to play for the Spanish champions Real Madrid, and it is difficult to see him changing his stance now and staying at Manchester, much less continue to enjoy a good working relationship with his mentor Alex Ferguson.

So what do Manchester United fans think? Should Ronaldo stay and continue to help make the Red Devils the dominant team in English football? Or has his time at Manchester come to an end and that you would rather see the back of him as soon as possible?