It is finally the moment of truth. Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t spinning dreams on thin air when he expressed a deep desire to be part of the Real Madrid squad. It comes as no surprise because rumors of Ronaldos transfer to Real Madrid has been doing the rounds for a while now. Juande Ramos (ex-Real Madrid coach) certainly expressed no surprise considering everyone knew about the pre- contract agreement between Real Madrid and Ronaldo, so it was all just waiting to happen.

Despite a few criticisms and outbursts, general opinion confirms that most people believed it was waiting to happen. Players like Bruno Alves, Deco, Jose Bosingwa, Pepe, Daniel Guiza and Santiago Carzola have viced their support in regards to Ronaldo’s move. Internazionale manager, Jose Mourinho has hailed Real’s decision to sign on Kaka and Ronaldo. UEFA president, Michel Platini certainly has voiced concern over the magnanimous nature of this transfer which stands tall at $ 131m. He did comment on how such huge financial transfers do obstruct fair play and how EUFA is trying hard to come up with a solution to curb such practices.

Real Madrid has always been popular for their expensive purchases but this deal has proven to be the most expensive football transfer in history. Certainly Real Madrid’s hoping for resurrection in their superstars. The Galáctico is back and this time it may not be an object of ridicule but Real may finally be on their way to their former glory and fame.

Where does this leave Manchester United? Well, they were ready for it since the transfer was inevitable. It’s heartbreaking to accept this truth as a United fan with his feat of 118 goals in 6 seasons. Talks between Real Madrid and Ronaldos representatives were initiated after the latter again expressed his desire to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid.

Manchester United will divulge details only on 30th June, 2009. So, till month end it’s going to be gossip and small talk but there isn’t much to cook up anymore with the startling transfer fee having astounded the world already. Certainly Ronaldos idiosyncrasies will be missed on field and this transfer is going to open up space for a new winger and striker. Certainly the transfer fee is probably good enough to buy 2 or even 3 new players for the Manchester United squad, and will present opportunities to younger players in the team.

While Real Madrid is busy building a dream team with Ronaldo being the latest jewel in the crown, Manchester United will need to regroup. This acquisition certainly finds a place in the history book and raises the concept of football club transfers to a new level. On a lighter note, what happens to the Nike sponsorship?

Prior to last year, it was believed Sir Alex Ferguson had achieved nothing closer to his abilities when it was about European glory. He was also written off by some sports critics’ saying he had achieved his European title in 1999 and that was about it.

But this was no where next to reality. Ferguson, as all great men had something in him. After achieving the trophy in 1999, he knew it was almost impossible to repeat the feat in near future. So he started building a team which he had always dreamt of. A team which would give him what he always wanted and can be called as his best team ever.

But for this to succeed he had to start from scratch. He had to build the players in the way he wanted. He started signing young players and just like a jeweler started polishing them. The result can be seen easily now in players like Ronaldo, Rooney, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, O’Shea, Brown, and the likes. This team was already showing the signs of champions and it wasn’t late that they started showing their talent on the European circuit.

Life came full circle for ManU great Paul Scholes in May 2008 Moscow final. He missed the 1999 final due to suspension and in 2008 it was his goal in the semis against Barcelona that sent the English Champions to the European Finals against Chelsea and rest is history. Though the success came late, but it was sweet enough.

Not many predicted United to reach the European final again this year. But as told, don’t make a mistake of writing off Fergie. He kept building his team better and better and so becoming only the second team after Juventus to reach the Champions League Final consecutively since the new format was introduce in early 90’s.

United play Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League Final 2009 at Rome’s historic stadium, Stadio Olympico on the 27th May. Barcelona have been a goal scoring machine this year. Their strikers which include Samuel Eto, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi have scored more goals than any other English team put together.

Manchester United will miss the services of Darren Fletcher in the finals, who was wrongfully red carded in the semi final second leg against Arsenal. United are already crowned as Premier League Champions after a draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford in he Premier League.

They have enough time to prepare for the final and can afford to rest all the big names for the last league game against Hull City on 24th May prior to the Champions League Final. United became the first club ever to win a hat trick of league titles twice between 1999 and 2002 and again between 2006 and 2009. Ferguson is already motivated enough to win the league title next year and doing so, will make Manchester United the first team in the history of football to win four league titles consecutively.

The countdown has already begun for the final showdown in Rome and its only matter of days for the 2009 season to end. Worldwide a staggering 335 million supporters wait with baited breath for the Red Devils to lift the trophy again. Yet again!!!

When Sir Alex Ferguson had joined the Premier League as Manchester United head coach, he had vowed he would dethrone Liverpool. And by god he achieved that today by equaling Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles.

Not just achieved it but shattered Liverpool’s slim hopes of winning a league title since 1990.
Still a game to play away to Hull City on the 24th May, but that game doesn’t matter now as they drew against Arsenal this afternoon at Old Trafford. Manchester United was even presented the title just after the match. Amazingly of the 11 league titles won, this was only the second title that they won at home so the atmosphere at Old Trafford was electrifying.

United will now be waiting anxiously for the Champions League final against Barcelona on the 27th May and hopefully complete the season with a quadruple. Their trophy room is already shining this year with the glitter of the Carling Cup, the Club World Cup and now the Premier League.

The match with Arsenal was not one of the best matches but because of the chance to win the title after the match was very much possible made the supporters sing all along. Though Arsenal tried very hard but it was United who had the last laugh.

Rafa Benitez got it all wrong this year and failed miserably. He picked the wrong guy to play the verbal battle. The only coach who has shown consistency against Sir Alex Ferguson is Jose Mourinho. But he too was beaten in the Champions League round of 16 this year.

There was never a coach who with a single team achieved anything closer to what Sir Alex Ferguson has achieved at Machester United. Whatever the critics say he is here to stay for the coming years and Manchester United is going to win the rocking way.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Manchester United Lived to the reputation of being the toughest team to beat. Recovering from the latest loss to everton in FA cup semifinal, Manchester united went down to Tottenham 0-2 after 32 minutes of play with goals from D. Bent and L. Modric in quick sucessions and it remained same till half time. No one would have thought of things to come.

After half time, Manchester United came back strong, Strongest this season, knowing they cant afford the loss with liverpool sitting on their heels. A 57th minute penalty converted by C. Ronaldo set the pace for next 22 minutes which saw manchester scoring not 1, not 2 but 5 goals to turn the heads.

2 from C. Ronaldo in 57th and 68th minute, 2 goals from W. Rooney in 67th and 71th minute and a final goal by D. Berbatov in 79th minute saw one of the greatest recovery ever. And it stayed 5-2 till the final whistle.

This was a great effort by the team and it seems the championship is in bag pretty soon. All we can say is Go United Go.