Pallister: "Si Ronaldo se va, no será tan grave para el Manchester"

GARY Pallister has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to come clean about his future intentions. Sir Alex Ferguson met Ronaldo on Monday before the player flew out to the United States and the Manchester United boss left for South Africa and the Red Devils' three-match tour. No details have been given about the precise nature of the discussions, although Ferguson is bound to come under pressure to deliver an update in Cape Town ahead of tomorrow's clash with the Kaizer Chiefs. But Pallister feels it is time for Ronaldo to reveal his plans and state whether he intends honouring the five-year contract he signed last summer. "I don't know whether the situation has been influenced by agents or Real Madrid but I feel now is the time for Cristiano to say exactly what he wants," he said. "Like many observers, I have grown tired of the way the issue has been talked around and Cristiano bears a big responsibility for that. "He has kept saying he will announce what he wants to do but for one reason or another, it never seems to happen. "It is only last summer he signed a five-year contract. He should say whether he will see it out - and if not, why not?" The mere fact Ferguson met with Ronaldo - just 48 hours after stating he would not travel to Lisbon - is welcome news. Although the battle to keep him has been waged with some force throughout the summer, it had been felt Ronaldo's chances of remaining at Old Trafford were being undermined by the departure of Ferguson's assistant Carlos Queiroz, who played a major role in persuading the winger to stay after his fall-out with Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup. But Pallister is certain Ferguson will not give up without a fight. "This is the best Manchester United squad I have ever seen," he said. "They are Premier League champions and European Cup winners. I have to admit, there is no obvious reason why Ronaldo would want to go. "I realise he has a dream to play for Real Madrid but why would you wish to leave a club where you are on the brink of so much. "And he also needs to recognise it is United who nurtured his talent and made him the best player in the world. "Yes, he had all the skills but there is more to it than that." However, even if Ronaldo leaves, Pallister is convinced United will recover, although he would not choose to be without a man who scored 42 goals for the Red Devils last season. "United have lost people like Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane in the past and emerged stronger. I am sure the same would be true with Ronaldo as well," he said. "Nani and Anderson both did well last season and with a bit more experience under their belts I am sure they will improve again. "Sir Alex will want to keep Ronaldo but anyone who thinks Manchester United will face insurmountable problems if he goes does not know the nature of the club." Gary Pallister was speaking ahead of Setanta Sports' exclusively live coverage of the Vodacom Cup, including Kaiser Chiefs v Manchester United at 14.30pm on Saturday 19th, Orlando Pirates v Manchester United at 19.10 on Tuesday 22nd, and KChiefs/OPirates v Man United at 14.30 on Saturday 26th July. Visit www.setanta.com or call 08712 10 20 30.