Cristiano Ronaldo could be headed to Real Madrid, or he could not. The Glazer family, who owns Manchester United are talking like Ronaldo to Real Madrid is almost a certainty but other United officials are not so sure. Reports are circulating that the Glazers are now focused on the fee they will charge Real Madrid for the world’s best soccer player. It is expected to be a world record transfer fee, perhaps as high as 70-75 million Euro. Other reports have the club saying that Ronaldo will not be sold for any price.

Jorge Mendes is Ronaldo’s agent and he has reportedly told Manchester United that Ronaldo wants to go to Real Madrid. Ronaldo is set to have ankle surgery in the next few days and is availability for the start of next season is in question. He will not be making the preseason trip for Manchester United that begins in South Africa later this month.

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In other transfer news, Manchester City is getting tired of waiting for a decision from Barcelona’s Ronaldinho.

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A berth in the Soccer Betting Champions League final and a second place finish in the Premier League was not enough for Chelsea manager Avram Grant, as he was fired on Saturday.

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The loss to Manchester United in the Champions League final seemed to seal his fate. “Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September,” the club said, “We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made.” Grant took over for Jose Mourinho in September and did a fine job but coming away without a title was not acceptable for Chelsea. Owner Roman Abramovich has said that he wants a more exciting style of play and a trophy. Grant was facing an uphill battle replacing the popular Mourinho, especially after Mourinho led the Blues to back to back league titles.

It is possible that Grant may have been fired even if Chelsea had won the Champions League final. The heart-breaking loss on penalty kicks to United definitely made it easier for the club to let him go.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he will decide next week whether or not to stay with Manchester United or go to Real Madrid.

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It is expected that Real Madrid will make an offer of up to £100 million for soccer’s best player Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo had 42 goals in all competition this season as Manchester United won both the Soccer Betting Premier League and the Champions League. “My future will be clear next week. Everyone will be pleased - my club as well as me,” Ronaldo said, “I think I will definitely be here next season. Yes, I want to stay. I have played five years for this club and I’d love to stay here. I love the people, the players are fantastic, the atmosphere is unbelievable, the staff are great. That is the reason I want to stay. We won the most important trophies this season. I want to do it again next season but no one knows the future.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is aware that Manchester United has a great team capable of winning again next season. “This is a young team and we have everything to win next year,” said Ronaldo. “We want to win the Champions League again and we have a good chance. We have a good team spirit. I can get better. The goals are not the most important thing. Maybe I will…

Read more on Manchester United Soccer News: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Future to be Decided Next Week

Manchester United defeated Chelsea in a penalty shootout 6-5 in the Soccer Betting Champions League final after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time. Chelsea had a number of excellent chances to win but it was Manchester United that ultimately took home the trophy. United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar saved the 14th penalty of the shootout to give United the win. He stopped Nicolas Anelka and Manchester United won their third European Cup title.

The final between United and Chelsea was a hard fought game that included a late red card going to Didier Drogba. He was sent off in extra time but very little time remained. The expulsion really hurt Chelsea in the shootout since Drogba is one of their top scorers. The first goal of the game was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo who headed in a shot in the 26th minute. It was the 42nd goal of the season for the best player in the world as he took a Wes Brown cross and headed it into the corner. Manchester United easily could have led 2-0 but goalkeeper Petr Cech was brilliant in stopping Tevez and Carrick.

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Read more on Manchester United Wins Champions League in Shootout

For the first time in Soccer Betting history, the Champions League final will be an all-English affair as Manchester United and Chelsea meet on Wednesday in Moscow, Russia. The two Premier League squads know each other very well and Wednesday’s match promises to be a classic.

Manchester United is a -145 favorite with a total of 2 under at SBG Global. The three-way line has United +140, Chelsea +200 and the Draw +200.

There are big names on both sides as Manchester United has the world’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo while Chelsea has big stars like Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack. It could come down to the goalkeepers. Manchester United has Edwin van Der Sar who has the experience edge while Chelsea has Petr Cech.

Read more on Champions League Final Betting Preview: Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Manchester United and Chelsea are preparing for the Soccer Betting Champions League Final in Moscow next Wednesday with Chelsea hoping to win and Manchester United expecting to win.

Chelsea Midfielder Claude Makelele believes that Chelsea would earn a lot of respect by winning the Champions League. “People look at winners and say: ‘This is a big team.’ I remember all the teams who came to play Real Madrid in the Champions League were scared. They knew that they would lose but they might lose by four or maybe six goals. It would be good to see Chelsea have this power. It is difficult winning it but it would be so good for the players as well as the club.”

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Nicolas Anelka was part of the Madrid team that won eight years ago and he also believes Chelsea can win. Anelka was signed by Chelsea in January but may start on the bench in the Champions League final with Didier Drogba as the main striker. “It is not frustrating, I am new in the club,” said Anelka. “The manager wants to play 4-5-1 and I have to stay on the bench. I don’t know if I will start. You need to ask the manager. Even if I am on the bench, I will have a chance to play and I will do my best.

Read more on Soccer Betting Preview: United and Chelsea Prepare for Champions League Final

A look at the Premier League standings would show that Manchester United should have no trouble at home against West Ham on Saturday as the Red Devils look to stay ahead of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League standings. It has not been easy recently though for Manchester United against West Ham, as the Red Devils have lost their last three matches against the Hammers. The last time Manchester United played at home against West Ham they lost 1-0 on a goal by Carlos Tevez who is now with United. That game last year meant nothing to United since they had clinched the league title at the time. Saturday’s game means a lot more to United.

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Manchester United is even in points with Chelsea but the Red Devils have the far superior goal difference which means that if they win on Saturday at home against West Ham and next week at Wigan the title is theirs. Manchester United is coming off a big win in the Champions League against Barcelona that puts them in the May 21st final against Chelsea. “It’s a big bonus to beat Barcelona,” United defender Mikael Silvestre said. “It makes it much easier to recover in time for Saturday.

Read more on Premier League Betting Preview: West Ham at Manchester United

Chelsea defeated Liverpool 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday in a thrilling game that sends the Blues into the Champions League Final against Manchester United. Chelsea advanced 4-3 on aggregate goals. The game was an emotional one for the Blues after they squandered a 1-0 lead in the second half but Frank Lampard scored the go-ahead goal in extra time. It was the first match for Lampard since his mother died last Thursday.

Frank Lampard scored the penalty spot in the 98th minute. Didier Drogba added his second goal of the match in the 105th minute. “What a character Lamps is to come in on Sunday and train and try and block out what has been a terrible week for him and his family and everyone close to Frank,” Chelsea captain John Terry said. “I’m sure Frank will dedicate the goal to his mum tonight.”

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Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel scored for Liverpool. “I thought we were very close. We played well in the second half, but the third goal killed it,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “We had control of the game. We had two chances in extra time and we were in control and we were preventing them from creating.” Drogba scored the game’s first goal in the 33rd minute after nearly scoring a minute earlier. Torres scored the tying goal in the 64th minute for Liverpool.

Read more on Manchester United and Chelsea Advance to Champions League Final

On Tuesday Soccer Betting Premier League, Manchester United hosts Barcelona and a win will put them into the Champions League final. Chelsea is in even better position as they host Liverpool on Wednesday, as either a win or a draw will have them advancing. Manchester United is a half goal favorite with a total of 2.5 under at SBG Global against Barcelona. The three-way line has United at -105, Barcelona at +300 at the draw at +220.

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Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson rolled the dice and took a huge gamble on Saturday by resting stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez for Tuesday’s match. He had better hope that his team wins its next two Premier League games and that decision doesn’t come back to haunt him. He also better hope his team wins on Tuesday at home against Barcelona. United is facing injuries to striker Wayne Rooney (hip) and defender Nemanja Vidic (face). “We’ve got to pick ourselves up,” said winger Ryan Giggs, “There’s no bigger game than Barcelona. We want to win the league and we want to reach the Champions League final, and it’s still in our hands.” United is expected to take out Barcelona and advance to the final. Ronaldo was just recently named player of the year for the second straight season and he will be playing with a vengeance on Tuesday after missing a penalty kick in the first leg against Barcelona last week. “I look forward to Tuesday against Barcelona; it is the biggest game of the season in my opinion. If you win, you are in the final,” Ronaldo said, “It is a good motivation for me, for my colleagues, for my friends, everyone. I hope to win and the two league games are very important as well.”

Read more on Champions League Second Leg Soccer Betting Preview

Chelsea pulled even in points with Manchester United atop the Premier League standings after Saturday’s 2-1 win. A late penalty against Michael Carrick gave Chelsea a chance for the lead and Michael Ballack didn’t disappoint, scoring the game winner. United manager Alex Ferguson was furious over the penalty call that cost his team a probable tie and a chance to wrap up the Premier League title. “It was absolutely diabolical,” Ferguson said, “It is a major decision. Granted, it hit his hand. But he has not lifted his hand above his shoulders, above his head, anything like that. It is going straight to Rio Ferdinand. The referee should have seen that rather than the linesman. If we’re not going to get those decisions then we are under pressure.”

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Manchester United and Chelsea are now tied at the top of the Premier League standings but United has a big goal differential which means that if the two teams remain tied, United wins the title. For Chelsea to win, United must not win their final two games. They are home against West Ham next Saturday and then travel to Wigan on May 11th. If they win both games the title is theirs. If they lose or tie either game the door is open for Chelsea. The Blues finish at Newcastle and home against Bolton. “It’s still in our hands.” Ferguson said, “The players and the support are really fired up for the next game. Hopefully we can get the result we want.” Chelsea definitely believes that United could slip up in one of their final two games.

Read more on Soccer News: Late Penalty Gives Chelsea 2-1 Win over United