Papers: Real back in for Ron
Ronaldo still wants Real deal
Just when Sir Alex Ferguson must have thought he had heard the last of Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible transfer to Real Madrid for this year, the Spanish side’s coach, Bernd Schuster, has claimed the Manchester United winger still wants to join the Primera Liga champions.
Real’s pursuit of Ronaldo this summer was one of the most protracted and high-profile transfer sagas of recent years, and it infuriated United so much that they threatened to complain to UEFA.
It ended in disappointment for Madrid, with the Portugal winger opting to remain at Old Trafford. However, the 23-year-old Ronaldo has made no secret of his desire to play for Madrid one day and Schuster believes a deal could be struck in 2009.
“I think there is a chance [of Ronaldo joining Real next season]. He really wants to,” said Schuster. “I think it will be a little more complicated for his club to retain him. There is hope that next year he could be with us. You need to do everything possible [to sign Ronaldo] because this player is worth it. Since the start I thought it was possible though difficult. Possible because the player really showed an interest.
“The information I had said him coming was a real possibility, the meetings were very positive. But after his face to face with Ferguson I knew he wasn’t coming.”
The Telegraph, Charles Carrick
Elsewhere, there's very little United news in the papers: instead, the focus is on England as Fabio Capello's side prepare to face Belarus on Wednesday. However, The Star and The Guardian have reported Reds chief executive David Gill has joined the FA's 2018 World Cup bid committee.~
Round up by Nick Coppack
