The Ronaldo saga has been the transfer story of the summer with the Portuguese winger publicly expressing his desire to play football in Spain. And Real Madrid, in turn, have made no secret of their determination to see the transfer go through.
At the risk of incurring the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson, Tevez has broken the chain of a number of United players who have previously made pleas for Ronaldo to stay.
Believing the club should not stand in Ronaldo's way Tevez said: "The team has great players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, of course.
"It's clear that he is a very important player for us, but this is a personal decision, which is up to only him.
"I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play at Real Madrid. On the other hand, I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United, but if what he seeks is something else, I think that should be respected."
United once again made it clear that Ronaldo is not for sale following talks in Lisbon last week between Ferguson and the 23-year-old. But this latest public declaration of no intent to sell has not acted as any kind of deterrent for Real.
Though they are yet to make an official offer, the possible move has generated widespread support from members of the club.
Yesterday, Real players Guti and Raul spoke in support of Ronaldo moving to the Bernabeu.
"We would be delighted to have him," Guti said. "He wouldn't upset the good atmosphere and, anyway, people tell me he's a great person and a good team player.
"Everyone works to earn as much as they can and if he's one of the best players in the world, he should earn more." Maybe he won't win you the Champions League on his own, but he's very tricky and he'll win you games.
"With players like that you've always got chances to win plenty of titles."
Guti's comments about whether Ronaldo would cause upset in the Real camp come following Wesley Sneijder's remark last week when he claimed that some of Real's first-team squad would be angered if Ronaldo signed for wages far in excess of theirs. Real are reported to be offering Ronaldo £200,000 a week.
Raul's sentiments were very much in line with those of Guti.
"I see no reason why he would cause problems," he said. "I think it could be very positive because we have a great squad with a lot of big players and it is obvious that if a player of a very high level joined he would be welcome and helped to adapt."
Regardless of how welcome Ronaldo would be at Real, David Gill, United's chief executive has said that not even the reported £67.5 million that Real are willing to pay will secure the player.
"We made it clear to them {Real] from Day one we wouldn't welcome a bid," he said.
"It wouldn't be accepted and therefore I don't think there is much point in putting one in. That's where we are at with the situation."
Labels: Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Real Madrid
