'He' Won't Be Missed

So, in what must surely be one of the longest, most drawn-out, not to mention boring, transfer sagas in history Cristiano Ronaldo ('He'/'Him') has finally transfered from Manchester United to Real Madrid ('Them').

Almost all of the Manchester United supporters I have spoken to have reacted with a resounding 'good' usually followed by 'he's not the player he was last season'. At first I dismissed these comments as being the natural reaction when someone leaves you: 'the relationship was going nowhere', 'I wasn't happy', 'we were only together because it was convenient' etc but the more I think of it I genuinely think Manchester will come back stronger next season for 'His' leaving.

Firstly, and most obviously, Sir Alex will have £80m to spend - potentially meaning 3 top, top quality players: Ribery? Villa? Silva? Tevez even? The list is endless. And there'd still be change left over to put towards covering some of the clubs debt!

Then there's the effect on the team in light of 'His' absence. It's difficult to criticise Sir Alex given his track record but Manchester United have been looking like a team with several square pegs in round holes recently and I have a suspicion it was a situation engineered to accommodate 'Him'. Perhaps now Rooney might be an opportunity in his prefered (better suited?) role? Maybe Berbatov will be given the opportunity to show what a good player he really is? If Tevez is retained he could now take on greater responsibility rather than the 'bit part' he's had for the past 18 months or so. And so on.

Furthermore, I'm not convinced that 'He' is the type of player Manchester United need - not any more at least. I've felt that over the past season it's been a case of Ronaldo + 10 others - at least in 'His' eyes and that's been reflected in some of the disjointed performances - not results - I've seen. Look at the Champions League final for instance - United started well, as did 'He' - but when 'His' team went behind 'He' stopped functioning as part of the team and looked intent on winning the game single handedly: ignoring team mates and trying to beat two or three players, shooting from distance when a team mate was better placed ...

I don't think Manchester United can offer him what he wants anymore so it's a good time to move on. A good time for the player and a good time for the club.

Real Madrid will be a wonderful new home for 'Him'. Remember, this is a club in which the players have more power than the manager. A club where, it's reported, if a player didn't want to train a quick call to the President would see the manager over-ruled. A club where 2 daily sports papers will indulge his every act of disrespect, petulance and immaturity as well as the flashes of brilliance.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid - a perfect match.