I've just settled down to watch the DVD of our glorious season, however where I should be elated - it has left me sick to my stomach.
This is down to Cristiano Ronaldo:
For every sublime bit of skill, every razor sharp pass or excorcet missile into the top corner, every celebration, every smile - his recent actions and words come into my head and it eats a hole in my stomach. It makes me sick to see him in those colours knowing the way he has disrespected them and everyone who stands for Manchester United with his behaviour. It makes me sick thinking what a player we will miss.
I try to make myself feel better by trying to convince myself that he's not that big a deal, but to do so is to be naive. Cristiano Ronaldo as slimy and conniving as he is, is currently the best player in the world and he will be hard to replace.
Hard to, but not impossible. However the longer this drags on the unlikelier it is that United will be able to get a replacement, and that is what really p*sses me off. Had Ronaldo been a man about it and asked for a transfer straight out, United would have had the whole summer to recruit the likes of Quaresma or whoever. (And perhaps, had he fessed up and made his reasons clear - we might have retained some respect for him)
That is not the case. As I write, United are a day away from leaving for South Africa and as far as I'm aware the only activity is trying to get Dimitar Berbatov in. Once the Africa tour starts, the games come thick and fast and there will be minimal time for Sir Alex and the staff to make any deals.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned. Manchester United of course will continue without Cristiano Ronaldo - but it seems to me that Sir Alex is in denial about the fact Ronaldo is no longer for all intents and purposes (barring a name on a squad list) a Manchester United player.
We have an excellent squad, we have world class talent in Rooney, Giggs and Tevez - two of the best young stars in Nani and Anderson, but take Ronaldo out, and there is a gap to be filled. Yes Nani will slot right in, but if he or Ryan Giggs was injured would you have long term faith in Darren Fletcher? Park Ji Sung is another option, but he seems injury prone - perhaps a long run on the right would be the springboard for United's Korean star.
With the likely addition of Berbatov, Rooney will be deployed wider, perhaps allowing Tevez to spearhead the attack with Berbatov in a 4-3-3?
So many questions - I hope the answers come quickly because it seems everyone is strengthening and so far all we have is the loss of Ronaldo. And that is not a nice thought.
