Get the latest United updates, transfer news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox every day for free "At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussions with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player." It was the news every Manchester United fan was dreading when they read the headlines on the morning of 11 June 2009.
Two weeks after losing the Champions League final against a Barcelona side inspired by the brilliance of Lionel Messi, United were coming to terms with the loss of their own extra-terrestrial talent.
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