The Beautiful Game

So Big Phil Scolari thinks Cristiano Ronaldo would be better off at Barcelona. What on earth is he talking about? Ronaldo has just found the form of his life at United. His play suggests he is beginning to fulfil the enormous potential with which he arrived in England at the age of 17. His link-up play with the players around him develops with each week. And Big Phil reckons he should move!

And how about the suggestion that the sunnier climes of Barcelona will provide “more motivation” than the grimy weather synonymous with Manchester? How does that work? I would have thought that, if anything, training and playing in adverse weather would produce a more determined, more disciplined and more dedicated player.

I think it highly irresponsible that Scolari - as Ronaldo’s national coach - has made these unhelpful comments at such a crucial stage of Ronaldo’s career. The last thing he needs at this important stage of the season is transfer speculation flying around his head.

What does Scolari have to gain by unsettling his star player? I hope he’s not a Chelsea fan…