What really caught my eye this summer was how two young players faired differently under the media spotlight: Cesc Fabregas and Manchester United’s one-time wonder boy Cristiano Ronaldo. If I were a Man United fan, I’d feel a tad nervous about the new season. Two key players, Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy, appear to have spent the latter half of the summer hatching plans to escape Old Trafford.

It must be so embarrassing for United fans (more so than Ashley Cole’s cheesy wedding photo shoot was for us), and they should have brickbats reserved for their winking winger. Despite the spat with Wayne Rooney, many critics raved about Ronaldo’s World Cup performances. Back home you can bet that Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with what he saw (and probably confident that any gripes with Rooney would be smoothed out).

Yet Ronaldo must have wiped the smile off his boss’s face when he told the press, “I should get out of Manchester, as the circumstances are not right”. These cutting remarks reaffirmed Ronaldo’s well-publicised desire to play in Spain, and obvious glee when he learned Real Madrid were sniffing around. Some might say there were subtler ways to let everyone know he wanted a move to the Bernabeu.

Real’s interest in Fabregas is equally well known, as is the player’s wish to play in Spain at some time in his career. However, unlike the surly Ronaldo, Fabregas’s response was far more encouraging for his loyal fans. As he told a Spanish newspaper: “I’m not thinking of anything else other than playing for Arsenal next season. I’m an Arsenal player 100 per cent. I feel at home in London.”

Predictably, both clubs issued firm statements designed to put an end to the respective transfer stories. Arsène Wenger couldn’t have made his position any clearer, telling a press conference: “I’d like to make it clear that Cesc Fabregas is not for sale and we will not be listening to any offers. He represents the future of Arsenal and we are looking forward to him being a major part of our plans.”

United’s statement was equally transparent, pointing out that Ronaldo “recently signed a contract until 2010 and the club expects him to honour that contract.” And, “The club will not listen to any offers for Cristiano.” To me these are the words of a troubled club. They read more like a thinly-veiled threat to the player than a cool message of reassurance for the fans.

Conversely, Wenger’s words exude confidence, and both his and his player’s attitude spoke volumes for the prospects of the Arsenal this season, especially with such a strong whiff of infighting and discord at Old Trafford. I only hope that Portuguese petulance is catching, and Real set their sights on the Chelsea manager.