Jun 12
Ribery, Sanchez, Silva or Eto’o? Who will replace Ronaldo?!
So Ronaldo has finally got his way and his extensively protracted move to Real Madrid is happening. To be honest I’m gutted that we’re losing a truly terrific talent but then again the Madrid switch was an inevitability and in a way it’s good that it’s over without dragging on into the summer which gives us a chance to find apt replacements.
Although rather than discuss replacements for Ronaldo, a nion impossible task as, in my opinion, only Messi comes close to the Portuguese winger and we’ve no chance of landing him, let’s look at what Sir Alex may decide to do with that handsome sum of money.
Franck Ribery
I’m more inclined to say that we would have had more chance of landing Ribery before Ronaldo’s impending departure. Only because Bayern are clearly going to demand an astronomical fee for his services and while Ribery is a fantastically gifted player, he’s no Ronaldo.
All pessimism and financial constraints aside, Ribery would go some way to filling the boots of our departing number seven and his direct style coupled with his ability on the ball would make him a valuable addition to the side.
My View: I think the price will inevitably be the problem with Ribery. I can’t see Ferguson shelling out stupid amounts of money on any player this summer despite us having a substantial transfer war chest. In this sense Bayern aren’t stupid and they know Ribery is the wanted man now so they can demand as much cash as they so please. For me Barcelona is still Ribery’s most likely destination but then again if Fergie does see the Frenchman as Ronaldo’s ideal successor, he may just make a move.
Transfer Likelihood: 6/10
Likely Fee: Around £50-60 million
Antonio Valencia
Probably the most likely bit of business that Sir Alex will do over the next couple of months but it would be outrageous to label Valencia as the heir to Ronaldo’s right wing thrown. No the Ecuadorian clearly won’t have the same impact as the Portuguese but a useful addition he would prove to be nonetheless I’m sure.
My View: This one really does look on the cards. He’s proved he’s a decent player for both Wigan and Ecuador but it remains to be seen whether he would be good enough to make the step-up in the famous red shirt. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claims Fergie is a huge admirer of young Valencia and if that is the case then now would seem as good a time as any to add him to the ranks at United.
Transfer Likelihood: 9/10
Likely Fee: Around £20 million
Carlos Tevez
Ronaldo may definitely be on his way but the Tevez transfer episode continues to ramble on. Manchester City are undoubtedly keen to get him onboard and I’m sure Rafa Benitez would love to give us the two fingered salute by making him a Liverpool player.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Tevez would be happy to stay at Old Trafford and now it all comes down to whether Ferguson still wants him at the club. His tireless workrate is certainly an asset but is it really a £25 million asset? That said money can no longer be the excuse in the Tevez transfer saga so we shall we see.
My View: Something tells me that despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s now bulging wallet, signing Tevez still won’t be anywhere near the top of the Scot’s agenda. Although it is fair to say that the permanent capture of the Argentine does make sense. It would appease the majority of supporters and soften the blow of Ronaldo’s departure that’s for sure. I just don’t believe that Tevez fits into Ferguson’s plans but I may be wrong!
Transfer Likelihood: 7/10
Likely Fee: £25 million
David Silva
The Times reports that Valencia attacking midfielder David Silva is being eyed as Ronaldo’s replacement. With the La Liga side’s financial worries the sale of their top players has become a necessity and we have shown an interest in Silva before don’t forget.
My View: Judging by what I have been reading, I believe that with David Villa on his way to Real Madrid (god knows where this cash is coming from by the way), Silva may just be staying put at the Mestalla. That said even if he was to move on I see Juventus and Liverpool being more plausible destinations. Although Fergie is certainly fond of the Spanish international so there’s nothing to say I could have totally lost the plot with my prediction.
Transfer Likelihood: 4/10
Likely Fee: £25-30 million
Arjen Robben
The Daily Star is claiming that Arjen Robben could be on Fergie’s wanted list. There’s certainly going to be competition for places at Real Madrid next season and Florentino Perez may even be willing to listen to offers given our co-operation over the Ronaldo deal.
My View: When we were chasing Robben before he moved to Chelsea I remember thinking that we’d missed out on a top class player there. I still believe the Dutch international is a quality winger now but I don’t think he’ll tickle Ferguson’s fancy. Tabloid gossip at its best for me.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £7-15 million
Alexis Sanchez
Setanta may be on the brink of crisis but today they’re reporting that this Chilean wonderkid is Old Trafford bound. I’ve watched Sanchez on a few occasions and he certainly has raw talent, not too dissimilar to a Ronaldo of yesteryear.
The 20-year-old attacker has had a decent season for Udinese and Setanta claim Sanchez’s agent Fernando Felicevich is in talks with a number of English clubs over a possible move to the Premier League.
My View: I like this kid, I really do but I feel he may be a little too erratic and too much of an unfinished product for Ferguson’s liking. With the likes of Nani, Zoran Tosic and potentially the likes of Ljajic and Valencia to chose from, I can’t see this one happening.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £15-25 million
Samuel Eto’o
The man who got the ball rolling for Barca in Rome a couple of weeks back has been mooted as the surprise target by a few of this morning’s papers. Eto’o is a pacey, decisive striker that would be a quality signing in my view and the Catalan giants appear ready to cash in on the Cameroonian this summer.
My View: Like I just mentioned, I’m a great fan of Samuel Eto’o and I reckon he would do a decent job at Old Trafford but unfortunately I really don’t see this materialising. The 28-year-old is apparently being courted by Inter and City and while I don’t see him ending up at Eastlands, a swap deal involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic doesn’t seem too unrealistic.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £15-20 million
Karim Benzema
Related items from Red Rants:
- Who is this Alexis Sanchez Chap?
- What is your formation?
- Breaking News: United accept 80m Ronaldo bid
- Possible transfer targets and their chances of coming to Manchester United
- Hot News Ahead of Barca | Gattuso and the Usual Nonsense
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (484)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
i would give tevez transfer likelihood 4/10, we dont want him and he doesnt want us
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I am shocked benzema is not on your list
, or should i say i am glad that he isn’t.
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why does everyone forget to mention Giuseppe Rossi? He’s in excellent form and is getting better and better, just wait and see him at the Confederations Cup, plus we have a buy-back option
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@Sam: We don’t have a buy back option. We have a first reject option. So if another club lodges a bid for the player, Villarreal will have to ask us if we are interested. Only if we say no will the player be sold to another club. Also he will be sold at a price on Villarreal’s terms, not on a pre-decided price. So, there is no buy back option.
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@ROOOOONEY: He is there. Read the list properly. An entire article was devoted to Benzema, and it got lost under the weight of the Ronaldo news. This article links to yesterday’s.
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Oh ya that one, totally blanked out
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The more I think about Sanchez, the more I think he is the exact sort of player Fergie would go for. He is exciting and raw. Like Ronaldo was when we signed him. Fergie took Ronaldo’s raw talent and turned it into the best player in the world.
United never really go out and buy proven world stars.
Ribery is out of the question. Too expensive. Not gonna happen (atleast this season). He has 2 years left on his contract at Bayern, doesn’t look like signing a new one, and next season will be available for around £15-20mil rather than let him go for free. Maybe we’ll buy a stopgap and get Ribery next season if nobody forks out the megabucks this season.
I think it’s much more likely this season to be Sanchez or Costa and nurture them.
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we need a new signing to ease the tension a little, or have sir alex explain what happen instead of hearing press made up crap. I dont believe anything i read unless its directly from the manutd website but its fun to speculate. what i would like to see is the #7 given to a youngster not some big money signing plus i dont think fergie will spend big unless he really wants the player like he did with berbatov. fingers crossed its not benzema dont hate on me benzema boys
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Sorry, but haven’t we learnt from the just concluded Ronaldo saga that we’re now free of after three years(though something tells me it could be Vidic next year)? Benzema has already declared its his dream to play for Madrid, I really don’t think I could handle another Ronaldo-esque saga next summer especially if he plays well and does a good job for us because Benzema’s attitude is apparently worse than Ronaldo’s. He should be steered clear of, imo.
@ROOOOONEY: Whats to explain? Its already on BBC and United’s website, that unlike last year where all he did was whine to the press, this year he actually handed in a transfer request. That was probably the last straw for Fergie, can’t blame him really.
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Wanted to add that the only thing is that now that most clubs know we have the money, even the smallest player is gonna be overpriced for us.
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Well, what i want to hear is his plan but we all know thats not going to happen
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And where’s mention of Kun Aguero? Honestly has to be the best prospect out there. Would be great and would command the same respect that Ronaldo did, freeing up the likes of Rooney and Berbatov.
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@ROOOOONEY: Same! lol!
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@BAMF: Atheltico have today said they will listen if an offer arrives.
And by listen, they mean add £10mil United tax.
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why do people want aguero so bad? granted hes a good talent, but he plays in the same position as rooney and berbatov! im not saying we need a striker with welbeck and macheda coming through but if we were to get one, benzema would be the best option.
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and what makes you think that benzema even wants to come here? and what makes you think that he wont leave in 2 years time
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Agree with Dan what we need is a striker who can play number 9, score goals, head the ball, provide a target for the wingers and hassle the opposition defence so that players like Rooney and Berbatov can tuck in the hole and pull the strings. Buy Benzema for 30 million, sell him for 40 million in a few seasons when he starts crying about wanting to move to Spain and by that time Macheda or Welbeck will be ready to take on more responsibility.
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I believe that Rooney will step up next season and we should build the team around him. Hopefully he will start scoring 20-30 goals so that Ronaldo wont be missed. We definetly need two quality wingers, one of them which i believe is Antonio Valencia. He is nothing like Ronaldo, because Ronaldo likes to move around the pitch, get in the box, dribble all over the place etc etc. Whereas with Valencia, he would stay wider, use his pace to run past players and then put a deadly cross in. Also likes taking shots from distance. So he is a decent prospect and one we should sign. Then there are 2 other wingers I genuinely think can fill Ronaldo’s boot in the long term. One of them is Marko Arnautovi? and the other one is Alexis Sanchez who we already know a bit about. They are both 20 and hot prospect. Marko Arnautovi? plays for Fc twente, can play as a striker/winger and has already scored 27 goals in 32 appearances. I hope ferguson can open his eyes and spot talent just like when he did with Ronaldo and turn them in world class players.
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Sanchez looks a decent shout. I’m not convinced by any of the other names to be honest.
Don’t know about you guys, but I’m just about ready for a season of following us without Ronaldo. I’m looking forward to seeing some new youngsters, watching Rooney and Berbatov, seeing Fletcher continue to flourish. Giving Nani his deserved chance, watching Anderson get his first goal. And if we don’t win the league? I’m alright with that.
Before Ronaldo we may not have had as much success, but we were much easier to respect and enjoy. He brought with him magic and success, but it was a poisoned chalice. And I really think we were scraping it a bit last season in terms of performances. Something has been lost, and I hope it was all him and Tevez.
This next season we should have a rejeuvenated set of front players, with at least Nani, Berbatov and Rooney itching to get going. With Ronaldo gone, I can see us going back to a 442, and this means less reliance on defensive wingers that offer little going forward (you know who you are).
We have massive problems, no doubting that. Ronaldo averaged 5/6 goals from free kicks – the best in Europe and certainly something we won’t do next year. He’s also a very, very good penalty taker (though that wasn’t much of a problem for us this year, with the pittance we got from refs), and a threat in the air. Plus I fear unless surgery fixes him, Rio’s not going to last us much of the season. So that’s arguably our two most ‘world class’ players out. Fergie has a challenge, no doubt about it.
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Oh, and I want Ruud back, to be the new Ole. That is all.
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@Beachryan: I’d buy Ruud myself and sell him for free to OT if I had the money.
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@Beachryan: I think this is perfectly put. I could do with less success if it meant that the team played with spirit, was fun to watch, took risks… There is a lot of quality at Utd., but the past season has been really dour. I can think of three games I truly enjoyed:
Inter Milan away: This was Ronaldo’s best game for me.
Tottenham at home: Fun. At last.
Chelsea at home: This was an excellent team effort.
Much of the rest was pretty dreary stuff – felt like I was watching Mourinho’s Chelsea half the time. I think there is a lot of upside with the current squad, but we need to sort out the CMF. Gutted that Hargreaves is a doubt – I am convinced he is the player we need most.
At the end of the day, Ronaldo is an amazing competitor but a piss-poor sportsman and it has always been a trial of supporting his BS and making excuses for his diving and crying.
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Is there any possibility of getting var der vaart in the deal – i heard he was unsettled at madrid and he wont be getting in ahead of the like of diarra kaka sneider etc… Could become are link between midfield and attack so rooney is freed up so hes not allways dropping back just to get a touch of the ball
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@ROOOOONEY: get over your self, its clear as daylight we need a no.9, not a second striker.
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@colver: the thing is, we played last season (07/08) without an out and out striker and it worked brilliantly. The reason we didn’t perform brilliantly this season is because the formation was too rigid. Look at Barca, they have Eto’o in the centre and Henry and Messi allowed a free role to do what they like pretty much. We could have Rooney in the centre and let’s say Tevez and Aguero each side to buzz around. This creates space and would free up Carrick a bit more because in a 3 man midfield he would be given more freedom to pick the passes. Aguero is a great finisher and is great in the air. I heard that some people in Argentina consider him to be more talented than Messi so if that isn’t a compliment to his ability then I don’t know what is.
I’ve also always been a fan of Maxi Rodriguez, Aguero’s clubmate
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Alexis Sanchez would fantastic. Any of you who follow serie A would have recognised his talents. For a twenty year to make such a break through is very rare in Italy. For Chile he has also been exceptional. Stunning pace and great skill.
Only thing I fear is if it might take him a while to settle as he’s tiny.
With the probable arrival of Valencia and we already have Nani, that would leave us with decent width. Add Ribery to that and we have some excellent balance and options.
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Dan i hear what you are saying but i rather solve our midfield problem before we move for another striker, we do need a no.9 but benzema’s ego is bigger than ronaldo’s do we need more drama like that, but you will get what you want, fergie is stubborn he doesnt care what anyone else think if he wants a benzema he will go for a benzema
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@ROOOOONEY: If you had actually read my post you would have seen that i specifically said “im not saying we need a striker with welbeck and macheda coming through”
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Any suggestions for midfielders, anybody?
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@Dan: You do realise that Aguero is a David Villa and not a Wayne Rooney? Torres play behind Aguero when they both played for Atletico, and now that Atletico play with a normal 4-4-2 they do not have a second striker, but two clean centre forward. Aguero is a striker, short like Villa but has every quality of the leader of the line. Dont buy that FIFA crap, Aguero is a normal striker that will play in front of Rooney.
I want Aguero, he is the best player possible to buy. Great talent, would fit well within the side, plays for Atletico(which means he will never declare a desire to play for Real), and for me he is the closest we can come to the perfect signing. He doesnt track back like Rooney or Tevez, will lead the line perfectly, and knows how to get on the end of crosses. I say buy him and Valencia, and we can spend the rest of those money on one more big, big singing.
Valencia=£18 million.
Aguero=£46 million
Equals £64 million, £36 million to spend. Maybe on anther winger, maybe on a goalkeeper or on a midfield enforcer. All I know right now is that its gonna be an interesting summer!
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@Traverse: I’m sure we can find the money somewhere, no? And to think we arent going to pay over the odds for anyone at this point would be wrong. Benzema wont be cheap, and I personally rate Aguero more than him. Just as young, and can create like ronaldo. Not going in for him would be stupid, whether we get him or not.
Also, I’d hate to see him as a rentboy.
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And just to annoy grognard a little:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_5376574,00.html
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Foster
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Anderson Nani
Rooney Aguero
Wet dreams lads, wet dreams…
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@RedDevilEddy: No, no, no, if anyone buys into fifa crap, well, Van der vaart at CF?
in all seriousness, the kun aquero i know is a second striker that has played off forlan this season. hes a second striker mate, not a villa.
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Wanker: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5376909,00.html
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I think kun’s buy-out clause is like 45m so I would take him before I spent 60 on ribery. 45 would be the max I spent on either player.
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anyone reckon we’d go in for Ashley Young?
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You can see us definately sighning a striker with ronaldo gone and tevez probably. Ideally to have a good balance we need an out and out striker, capable of leading the line and with some pace.
I would love Aguero at United and if he was with a better team he would outshine Messi.
Unfortunately he isn’t the type of player we need as he is more of a creative centre forward. He can’t lead the line.
I say get Torres!
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I dont buy this having to spend 45 or 60 mil on any player to replace ronaldo because, as everone knows, you are not going to replace him. Yes ribery would come close but the system needs changing, how much only fergie can decide, as the barca match showed. I think bringing in two decent quality wingers such as valencia and sanchez would be a very smart move to allow rooney to play his best position (and hopefully allow berbs to shine). And, as important, getting hargreaves fit is paramount or getting backup because our central midfield is seriously lacking in any bite. Trying to get a direct replacement for ron is futile and will only result in a huge chunk of the kitty being spent on one player when the the team needs refreshing – players with pace and players with bite
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@MUFC Fan in America: He would be fantastic! Everything we need actually. Fantastic pace, probably best crosser in England and a set piece specialist.
If we signed him…
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@MoYa: Why can’t he lead the line? His strength has improved drastically since he first started with Atletico. But why would we need him to lead the line, more inportantly? We really havent had someone that could do that since RVN left and I’d say the last three years have been ok.
What are the chances of Benzema, Aguero, and De Rossi all coming this summer? (Slim at best, I know).
You never know, I’d throw 50 million pounds at Poo’ and test there resolve with Torres.
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@BAMF: Aguero has amazing strength, but you must remember he’s tiny. That’s not his natural position. Though I would love it if we signed him.
What I’m saying is we have Roon and Berba so ideelly you want some extra variety. Not exactly Ruud, but someone more mobile and ideally with a physical presence.
One thing I know for sure is De Rossi won’t be leaving. He’s Roman through and through and he continually says that he’s not going anywhere even if they do crap. He would be a monster in our midfield.
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Cristiano Ronaldo:
“… I want to thank all the people at Manchester United, my colleagues the players, the staff and the fans and most of all, Alex Ferguson. Without all these people I would not have become the player I am today and fulfilled my dream of playing for Real. I have enjoyed a fabulous
six years here at the club and my thoughts and a part of me will always remain in Manchester…”
.
.
.
.
.
is what we would want to hear… but I’m not holding my breath
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@Dan: Hehe, yeah that part…
That was speculation by my part, but trust me about Aguero. You know I have seen him play a lot, and that I have always wanted him here. Watch him play for Argentina, he is the target man with Messi or Tevez behind him there. So I would really want him here… 
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We will NEVER replace Ronaldo
. What we need to do is CHANGE OUR MF, because that is really where we need strengthening. 
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All I know is it’s gonna be one the craziest summer windows! Absolute madness of speculation and signings
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@MoYa: Oh, oddly enough, that’s exactly what I was trying to say. That Aguero would give us the same ‘variety’ that Ronaldo did, only with (hopefully) less antics. The only problem I see with Aguero is he comes with Maradona attached, and Maradona is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
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@RedDevilEddy: If that team gives you a wet dream Eddi, then I have serious reservations about what you consider pleasing. That team has two or 3 below true United standard players
.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5517707/Glazer-family-promise-to-spend-Ronaldo-money-on-new-players-for-United.html
Malcom glazer, take a bow son, take a bow.
if it wasnt for our debt, you really couldnt ask for more better owners could you?
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@Craig Mc:
Foster
rafael rio vidic evra
valencia carrick anderson ribery/nani
rooney benzema
you just know this will be our opening team.
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