Ronaldo has sgined a move from United to Real!!!!
But is it a step up or a step down?
Let's look at Manchester United and Real Madrid in 10 different categories to figure out which is the bigger and better club.
FANS
The Bernabeu stadium (80,354) has a larger capacity than Old Trafford (76,212),though United averaged nearly 4,000 more fans per game last season - 75,304 compared to 71,523.
This can be partially explained by United's success,but even when Real are winning leagues it is relatively simple for Joe Soap to get tickets for all but the biggest games. The same cannot be said at United,where Old Trafford is sold out every week.
Both have huge global support but United were first into the lucrative Asian market and seem to have the worldwide edge too.
Finally,there is the question of noise. Both clubs could do more when it comes to games against lowly sides,but the Old Trafford faithful seem to generate a bit more of an atmosphere on the big occasions.
Who's better? United.
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STADIUM
Both clubs play at fantastic stadiums,but the Bernabeu has the edge for a number of reasons. First,there is a bit more going on in its surrounding area and it is closer to the city centre. Indeed,some Manchester City fans argue that Old Trafford is not actually in Manchester at all.
Of course the Bernabeu can also cram in more fans,but the key thing we like about Real's stadium is the delightful feature of heaters on the roof.
Some will think such luxury goes against football's traditions,and they may have a point. But it is unlikely United fans would ask for such heaters to be turned off on a cold December evening against Burnley.
Who's better? Real
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MONEY
Real topped the Deloitte Rich List for the fourth successive year with revenues of £289.6 million,compared to United's £257.1m.
These figures were for 2007/2008 and United are likely to have closed the gap last season given all their success.
One thing that has helped Real hold off United's challenge is the current strength of the euro to the pound. Also,Real have a relationship the with banks in Spain that United could only dream off.
In real terms,both clubs are burdened with massive debts,but Real have a history of being able to write off their debts with impunity.
Who's better? Real
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RECENT SUCCESS
Since the start of the Premier League in 1992,United's level of dominance in the English game cannot be disputed.
They have won 11 league titles in that period,four FA Cups and two League Cups. They have also won two European Cups and are the current world champions.
Over the same period,Real have won just six domestic titles and two Spanish Cups. But they do have the edge over United in Europe,having won the title three times.
Nevertheless,Real failed to win anything last year while United enjoyed a treble - League,League Cup,World Club Cup - before losing in the Champions League final.
Who's better? United
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HISTORICAL SUCCESS
While United have ruled in recent years,Real have been a more consistently dominant force than the English side. They have won a record 31 Liga titles,a record nine European Cups and 17 Spanish Cups.
United have been catching up in recent years but have a long way to go before they can match those figures.
Who's better? Real
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CURRENT SQUADS
Real's dismal defeats to Liverpool and Barcelona last season highlighted the flaws in their squad - although to be fair,United also had trouble against those teams.
The respective gaining and losing of Ronaldo certainly closes the gap,while Real's capture of Kaka strengthens them further.
But are Real not making the same mistake they made the last time Florentino Perez was in charge?
Once again they seem to be loading their team with forward talent at the expense of a leaky defence,which will be weakened further next season by the loss of Fabio Cannavaro.
It is worth remembering the last time Real Madrid signed a big player from United. They paid £25 million in 2003 to make David Beckham their latest galactico but finished only fourth the following season. It was only in Beckham's fourth season that he finally won a Liga medal.
United's defence gives them the edge and you have to suspect they will use the Ronaldo money to boost their attacking options before the start of the season too.
Who's better? United
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TRADITION
Romantics in Spain are more drawn to Barcelona than Real,who have always been deemed the Francoist team with all the negative connotations that brings.
Perhaps the key event in United's history was the Munich air disaster,with the club's brave and impressive revival under Matt Busby to that tragedy winning fans far beyond the confines of Manchester.
Both sides have developed world-class players through their youth systems,but Real have more tradition buying success that United. The English champions most successful periods tend to be when they have a home-grown core in their squad.
Who's better? United
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PAST PLAYERS
So many great players have adorned the red of United and the white of Real Madrid. How can you compare the likes of Edwards,Law,Charlton,Best,Cantona,Keane and Schmeichel to di Stefano,Kopa,Puskas,Butragueno,Figo,Zidane and Raul?
The answer? You can't.
Who's better? Tie
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LOCATION
Warm,sunny Madrid (although it can get surprisingly cold) or wet,miserable Manchester? Delightful tapas and sangria or hot pot with a pint of Boddingtons?
Ok,we are being unfair and simplistic,but we are going to take a flyer and guess that Madrid appeals a little more than Manchester to a Portuguese boy.
Who's better? Real
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MANAGER
Manuel Pellegrini is the latest in the Real Madrid hot seat. His record in South America and especially at Villarreal proves he is an excellent coach,but how long will he last at Real? One slip-up and he could be shown the door.
On the other hand,Sir Alex Ferguson IS Manchester United. Astonishingly,Pellegrini is Real Madrid's 23rd coach since Ferguson took over at Old Trafford in 1986.
Who better? United
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OVERALL
We have looked at each club in 10 different categories and have United ahead in five,Real winning four,and one tie.
Conclusion? You've made a terrible decision Cristiano.
The chief value of money lies in the fact that one lives in a world in which it is overestimated.
..."Wewe ni mtu mdogo sana....na mwenye amekuandika pia ni mtu mdogo sana!".