Fabio Capello, the new Real Madrid coach, indicated last night that he would be willing to offer Cristiano Ronaldo an escape route to Spain, which, given the fears police have for the Portugal winger's safety at Barclays Premiership matches next season, may well prove to be in the best interests not only of the player but of Manchester United, his club.
“It's fair to say there are grave concerns about how supporters might react to Ronaldo next season, certainly in the first few weeks of the season,” a police source told The Times. “I don't think they are anything more than that at this stage. I don't know what Manchester United's plans are, but it's an issue that may well have to be addressed nearer the start of the season. It has been a talking point. I imagine other [police] forces might have been having similar conversations amongst themselves.”
United refused to be drawn on the issue and are understandably dismayed about being dragged into another club-and-country fracas. They showed remarkable patience and understanding when it came to handling the speculation about Rooney's fitness in the run-up to the World Cup finals and could be forgiven for wishing Ronaldo had not travelled to
“We never discuss safety procedures and we are satisfied that we assess any safety risks in a professional and adequate manner,” Phil Townsend, United's director of commu
Ronaldo reportedly has professed a wish to join Real, so the claims of Capello, who signed a three-year deal with the Spanish giants yesterday after resigning as Juventus coach, that it is “good news for me” that Ronaldo wants to move to the Bernabéu will have been music to his ears.
Ronaldo is due to report for pre-season training at United on July 31, although his future remains as much of a mystery as that of Ruud Van Nistelrooy.