Sir Alex Ferguson is simply too wily and too experienced to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave without having plans in place to replace the brilliant Portugal international.
£80 million is winging its way from Madrid to Manchester but which players will Ferguson be targeting?
Ronaldo was such an integral part of United's tactical plan that several scenarios need to be assessed but there should be one thing at the forefront of Ferguson's mind - Wayne Rooney.
The England striker has proved for his country that he is at his best in the middle and Fabio Capello is certainly getting the best out of him.
Selling Ronaldo at least rids United of the option of using the World Player of the Year as a central attacker and many fans will be hoping the team is now built around Rooney rather than the man who got him sent off at the last World Cup.
But where will United be looking to spend their cash?
We look at some of the options open to the Premier League champions.
Carlos Tevez - unattached
The obvious choice after his loan spell at Old Trafford. Popular with the fans but he misfired for much of last season, even if supplying a few crucial goals. His hard-working, high-tempo style provides an option in attack but the suspicion remains at United that he is too expensive. Whether United can stomach neighbours City snapping up the Argentinian is another matter.
Franck Ribery - Bayern Munich
Bayern insist he is not for sale and Real are presumably out of the running now but Barcelona fancy the France international. Furthermore, the wide man has indicated he doesn't fancy a move to England because of the weather. Nonetheless, he has the quality and would be a perfect introduction to the Red Devils team if a deal can be done.
Sergio Aguero - Atletico Madrid
Another impressive Argentinian and, at 21, he has a very bright future ahead of him. Atletico Madrid paid €23 million for the forward so he would not come cheaply but Aguero has bags of potential and could be an ideal recruit. Trouble is Chelsea are also on his trail.
Karim Benzema - Lyon
A perfect audition against United in last year's Champions League but he did not make rapid strides this season as Lyon slumped to third in Ligue 1. An ideal spearhead to any attack and somebody who can play further up front, something United arguably lack in Dimitar Berbatov and Rooney. Young and full of potential, he is another obvious candidate.
Alexis Sanchez - Udinese
Not a big name but he was soon earmarked as a potential 'new Ronaldo' when the Portuguese ace looked set for Real last summer. An exciting talent with a nickname to match in 'The Wonderboy'. Not one to be discounted as Chile are doing superbly in the World Cup qualifiers and he could be an attractive prospect.
Antonio Valencia - Wigan
The Ecuador international is a good player and looked a class act at Wigan but would not be a top drawer arrival for some fans. The winger's arrival would presumably mean more cash being invested into another position with the right winger a direct replacement for Ronaldo, big shoes to fill. One of the likeliest captures but the question is how much better than Nani is he?
Samuel Eto'o - Barcelona
Scored against United in the Champions League final and another out-and-out attacker who would surely profit from the open nature of The Premier League. Manchester City have been strongly linked with the Cameroon international but he could be an option if Ferguson decides to inject more pace into a team that will now lack the acceleration of Ronaldo.
Giuseppe Rossi - Villarreal
United still have first option on the little Italian, who always looked a star in the making in the club's reserves. Injuries have hampered his progress but he has shone in Spain and further enhanced his reputation. A first international goal for the Azzurri highlights his progress but he is another striker who likes to drop deep, unless he rejigs his game to be an out-and-out poacher, which is something he is capable of doing. Very much an outside bet.
source : setanta.com
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