Andy Gray believes Sir Alex Ferguson will need to sign three or four players to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United have given Real Madrid permission to talk to the FIFA World Player of the Year after accepting an £80million bid from the Spanish giants on Thursday morning.
And while the deal has not come as a shock, Gray believes Ferguson now faces a huge test to fill the hole left in his squad by the Portugal international.
Ferguson: how does he replace Ronaldo?
The likes of Karim Benzema and Antonio Valencia have been linked with moves to old Trafford, but Gray told Sky Sports News that Ferguson will be looking to spend the Ronaldo transfer fee on up to four new players.
"You can't lose the world's best footballer and not suffer somehow," he said.
"There is nothing like him out there and available for Sir Alex Ferguson to buy.
You can't lose the world's best footballer and not suffer somehow. There is nothing like him out there and available for Sir Alex Ferguson to buy.
Andy Gray
Quotes of the week
"He's a one-off, so whether it's £80million or whatever, Sir Alex will use the money wisely to buy perhaps three, maybe four players to make the squad and the team a better one.
"There's no single individual he could buy; maybe Kaka who he won't get now because Real Madrid have got him - and of course Lionel Messi who Barcelona wouldn't dream of selling.
"It's a case of Sir Alex thinking long and hard about this and making the decision for the benefit of Manchester United and no-one else.
"By the first week of August I'm sure Sir Alex will have invested pretty much all of the money he's going to get for Cristiano Ronaldo and we might see changes.
"There's talk of Karim Benzema from Lyon coming in, a fantastically gifted footballer who would make United very, very strong.
"We also don't know about whether Antonio Valencia from Wigan will end up at United. Would he make them stronger? I don't know.
"If United weren't bringing anybody in and were going into the season with the same squad without Ronaldo then there's absolutely no doubt they'll be weaker.
"But there's no doubt that by August 15, plenty of this money will have been spent by Sir Alex Ferguson on two, three or possibly four footballers."
Tevez deal
United have been stalling over a permanent deal for popular striker Carlos Tevez, whose loan deal at United expired at the end of last season.
But despite the potential windfall from the sale of Ronaldo, Gray is not convinced that Ferguson wants to pay over the odds for the Argentinean.
He added: "I think United over the last two years have had a good look at Carlos Tevez and Sir Alex is wondering if the outlay is worth what they're going to get from him.
"He's a massive favourite for the Old Trafford faithful, we know that. They love him for his work-rate and for his ability to never give in - but is he really, really, top bracket? Sir Alex Ferguson will have to work that one out for himself.
"I think there's a question mark over that deal."
Galacticos
The world record bid for Ronaldo comes just days after Real Madrid confirmed the signing of another superstar footballer, Kaka from AC Milan
However, Gray questioned the transfer policy of Real president Florentino Perez, insisting that the team needs reinforcements defensively if they want to challenge for top honors.
"You can buy Kaka, you can buy Ronaldo but you then can't stop letting goals in at the other end," he said.
"I still think the biggest problem is defensively where they were shocking last season. Liverpool put them to the sword, Barcelona put them to the sword and that had nothing to do with their attacking ability.
"Ronaldo and Kaka are not going to improve that and there is a danger that Florentino Perez will build a side of Galacticos like they did many, many years ago.
"Yes, it was wonderful, vibrant, entertaining and very Harlem Globetrotter-ish - but the single thing they mustn't forget is that the best defences normally win the best things.
"I just think that unless they sort the back end of the team out, they can buy as many frontmen as they like but it doesn't really make any difference.
"They will be better and stronger of course with the addition of these two incredible footballers, but those two footballers are not going to do an awful lot defensively for their team."
Comments (214)
Sam Brown (West Ham United fan) says...
i have to say im glad to the back of ronaldo , as a good player he was he wasnt a team player and thought he was bigger than man utd. 80 million is good business for man utd as ronaldo or any player in the world isnot worth 80 million in my view. but if youve got the money then why not spend it like city. i hope city do well in the league just to shut up and every man utd fan. that would be good.
Posted 12:32 22nd July 2009
Eric Smith (Liverpool fan) says...
i think it is quite funny manure fans act like losing their two best players will not affect them. Losing two amazing players cans stop a championship winning team. if liverpool were to lose stevie and torres i am positive liverpool would have a hard time winning anything. And to say tevez would start more with the departure of ronaldo is garbage. tevez dosent play a second striker ot attacking mid. sir alex screwed up with tevez the same way he did with ruud. Some loyalty by the manure players leaving for the cross town rival. well done. YNWA
Posted 21:36 20th July 2009
Joe O'brien (Manchester United fan) says...
I think now that Benzema has gone to Madrid ,Utd need to sign Sergio Aguero from Athletico Madrid. He will cost us £30 - £45million but he is well worth it because he is only 19 and we could get a lot of good years out of him. Him and Rooney/Berbatov/Owen would all be lethal partnerships
Posted 19:09 20th July 2009
Graeme Storey (Arsenal fan) says...
Am I the only one who thinks that the selling of Ronaldo is great business? Firstly £80 million can but a lot of talent. and although there is noone out there with his ability, there are plenty with the potential! Secondly he wanted to leave. As an avid Arsenal fan, when someone like Adebayor (who was argueably our best player two seasons ago) wants to leave/ doesnt want to play for the club, I dont want him there any more!!! And finally, you have £80 Million to spend. Every other club except City and Chelski would love that kinda wanga.
Posted 07:42 9th July 2009
Christopher Rothwell (Manchester City fan) says...
Firstly, Andy Tan i would just like to say Man U dont get the twenty five mill for Tevez as you dont own him. Secondly to David Poulter supporting whoever is top is not how proper football fans do it but then again your not a proper football fan as you support united. Football fans support local teams. All the talk about Man City trying to buy the title, hasn't every team done that ie, Blackburn, Chelsea and Man U spend big every year as did Liverpool when they used to be a good team. Leeds tried it but never quite managed it. Arsenal were once a force in the buying of expensive players, now Spurs can outbid them ( i bet that hurts the gunners). I hope Sparky gets the time to build a good team at City, a Utd legend going on to be the first City manager to win something for 33 yrs would be something else. I think if we can get Tevez, Lescott and the big centre half from norway off fulham then we can break into top four, then this time next year with champions league football we can attract any footballer in the world. Finally I hope rickerby stays with Munich for another year then joins our revolution next summer, up the Blues, Sparky is a blue
Posted 14:17 8th July 2009
Gerry Brown (Arsenal fan) says...
Ferguson's sale of Ronaldo will be seen as a masterstroke in 12 months time. He will be far less effective in Spain where defenders are much more adept at stopping players like him. Tevez will make a major mistake in signing for City- who have brought too many players at once and are unstable. He will be a major loss at United - but they will sign Huntelaar and Valencia and will get more out of Berbatov and Rooney- and will be stronger than ever-never underestimate Ferguson. If I was United I'd buy Lampard the best player in the prem bar none.
Posted 12:47 8th July 2009
Sam Mccord (Manchester United fan) says...
David Poulter you should be ashamed of yourself, supporting the team that's top is not the reason you should support teams. We don't need gloryhunting fans like you, we need genuine fans who support the club for genuine reasons, and I'm a student in Northern Ireland and I would love to just be a drive on M6 away from Old Trafford. Personally I don't know what to make of the signings, I'm unconvinced about valencia, if we are willing to pay out 18 million for him then tevez is absolutely worth the 25 million, and yes I am aware we did make the offer but it took us so long to do so. Obertan is a signing for maybe next season. And Owen is a gamble worth taking. People we still have the future in Ljajic coming in!!!! I would like to see Huntelaar and a bid for Silva, because we need a left winger, Nani for a left winger can't use his left foot and Giggs is no longer able to get up that flank.
Posted 15:24 7th July 2009
Andy Symes (Manchester United fan) says...
Has everyone forgotten that United won plenty before Ronaldo arrived???, United are the most important thing and not just one player. Thoughts anyone?
Posted 23:29 30th June 2009
Lee Martin (Manchester United fan) says...
just heard we bought valencia! good start just hope it gets betterrr bring in benzemaa!
Posted 20:52 30th June 2009
Andy Tan (Manchester United fan) says...
Firstly can the Liverpool scouse fans be quiet and do not make any comments whatsoever about Manchester United in any way please. So what if Ronaldo and Tevez leave? Two men can't stop a champion winning side. £80 million of Ronaldo to Madrid plus the fee of Tevez (£30 million?) will reahc over £100 million which will then let Fergie buy how as many players as he wants with whatever the price is. You never know. I think Valencia will definetely come from Wigan, Benzima will probably come from Lyon bceause Real madrid have a too much of an attacking force already. Ribery might come the utd whilst another great football might come to strengthen the isde. Maybe perhaps a goalkeeper and another defender. Tevez shouldn't of left because now Ronaldo's gone, he can have a better chance to start. In addition Ronaldo should of stayed for another season and make UTD win the champions league back from Barcelona. Real Madrid is a excellent team but not the club that will always bring honours and trophies to the club. They mainly care about the revenue of their merchandise like selling shirts whilst getting mega deals with advertisments. They don't care about their football that much as compared to other clubs. Don't worry our UTD fans. Fergie will bring formidable players to help the side win more titles with big money to spend. You never know. Maybe Torres, Eto'o or Messi might come!?!? You just have to be patient and see what outcome is. FERGIE WILL SUCCEED. MANU UTD WILL TOO! COME ON RED DEVILS!
Posted 14:10 30th June 2009
Jonathan Garvey (Manchester United fan) says...
Looks like Valencia is on the way..Not going to fill Ronaldo's boots, but thats not fergies intention as he looks to buy about 3 or 4 pretty good players. I wont miss ronaldo's complacency or attitude. How dare he think he too big for the club. What I will miss is his supernatural skill..Just a pity he didn't shine in the cl final. Theres a few players we should flog. Nani has proved to be too greedy on the ball and Anderson doesnt pass the ball enough in midfield. Compare this to the likes of Iniesta and Xavi who keep the ball moving and are always moving around. I like John O' Shea because he works hard and has a good attitude. But lets face it, he gets beat down that right wing alot by fast and talented players and is too clumsy. Berbatov..mmm not sure. He got a few important sitters when the ball fell perfectly to him and he seems to be on drugs sometimes. Kuzcac can go as well. Theres 5 players that will boost our kitty even more and allow us to buy the right players we need..I have good faith in whatever Fergie does and apparently he has had someone watching every game Valencia played last season so he knows what he's doing there. UNITED FOR FOUR IN A ROW AND KNOCK LOSERFOOL DOWN FOR GOOD
Posted 16:21 29th June 2009
Jamie Harperj (Manchester United fan) says...
does anyone else remember when sir alex said " i wouldn't sell them (real madrid) a virus" what happen to that ? i think we need to buy benzema for £30 million and we need to spend as much as bayern want for ribery as he is the only player up for grabs that could fill his boots.
Posted 15:12 29th June 2009
Paul Harris (Manchester United fan) says...
i don't know why man utd fans are asking for big-money signings? ribery or aguero are both good players but we should never be spending that sort of money, we should buy valencia, ashley young, kyle naughton, fabian delph and the young swedish forward berg. that would give us good cover all round
Posted 13:53 29th June 2009
Larry Power (Manchester United fan) says...
aguero and luis fabiano to sign
Posted 09:43 29th June 2009
Lee Walker (Arsenal fan) says...
man utd are in trouble! ronaldo has left tevez will leave and no one who is gud enough to replace them wants to go. But dont get ur hopes up liverpool fans in my opinion next season will be ur last chance to win the title because when gerrard is past it liverpool will fall apart, Also chelsea will start to get worse because a lot of their good players are getting old and their youth team is pathetic! whereas arsenal have bags of young talent and will be challenging for the title next season.
Posted 07:44 29th June 2009
Jason Mundy (Liverpool fan) says...
It makes me laugh reading all thease man u fans comments about liverpool. you lost viva ronaldo, get over it. your gonna buy valencia because you cant actually buy anyone else. if your such a great club why did your best player leave. rooney will be lost without ronaldo and man city will probebly win the league next season. you can always grab owen on a free if you lot. give him the number 7 shirt and call him great. ha ha ha
Posted 20:54 28th June 2009
Matt Fuller (Liverpool fan) says...
just a quick message to Simon Wortham, if Liverpool are such an ordinary side without Torres and Gerrard, than that ordinary side did ok beating United at Anfield last season without those two! No doubt it is a season of rebuilding for United, but we are not counting our title just yet, we thought the end was nigh when you sold Beckham, but then you went out and bought an unknown teenager called Ronaldo with the profits! Can't wait for all the new signings and for the season to get underway!
Posted 07:43 28th June 2009
Kevin Yells (Manchester United fan) says...
Typical comment from an arsenal fan (louis Thomas). How typically sad and immature it is to keep seeing the same comments indicated to referees as to a favouritsm towards UTD. Heres a fact: Stop looking to blame anything other than superiour skill etc for your own teams short comings. If they aint good enough stop fishing for excuses.
Posted 18:29 26th June 2009
Dom Massara (Chelsea fan) says...
ronaldo gone makes the priemership a better place
Posted 09:22 26th June 2009
Ashley Conlan (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Everybody forgets.........a few years ago who was C. Ronaldo? Fergie will spot another emerging talent i.e this Douglas Santos or whatever his name is and in a few years time everybody will be talking about somebody else. Ronaldo is so arrogant it will be his undoing, just like his namesake RONALDO and Ronaldinho. I would rather have Stevie G in my side to be honest. A great player for the last 10 years with his feet firmly planted on the ground!
Posted 13:16 25th June 2009
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