yes ronaldo is pure quality, however someone whos main concern is money and then himself and in 3rd ronaldo to me suits a club like real madrid. if he goes its not the end of the world, far from. i think rooney will blossom comin out of his shadow and show his full potential. and get messi in

craig, harwich, england

One player a little closer to home who hasn't been mentioned so far - Aiden McGeady from Celtic. Just a nat's off the finished article, but can easily be placed alongside the other quality players named in the article - except Benzema!

Inkie Black, Bangkok, Thailand

Looking at the names Fergie could sign and their over inflated transfer fees; I would rather see home grown talent given a chance or more players like Ramsey join the club. United don't want to follow Arsenal fielding a team of foreigners or waste millions like Chelski.

Paul, West Midlands,

Quite where the rumours have come from that Man Utd have tapped up Berbatov are beyond me. There has been no talk of salaries, bonus' or where he'd fit in etc. You don't get our chairman bigging up a move to us. Real are classless. Those who shamelssly make these rumours up should hang their heads..

Harry, Manchester, England

Philipp Lahm. Man U needs Philipp Lahm. Ramos would be nice but he's another primadona, and Man U can't afford to lose Ronaldo to Real, even if they got Ramos in return. Luis Fabiano sounds like a steal at 10M pounds, but who knows if he can play in the EPL? I'll take a chance on Berbatov.

Paul Escobar, Los Angeles, USA

Oh, you fools - this IS United tapping up Berbatov! Where did this story come from if not an off the record briefing by a United press officer? This is United's none-too-subtle way of talking to Berbatov, Ronaldo etc. It's called spin.

James, London, UK

I would have thought Ribery would be the obvious replacement for Ronaldo.

Noel, North London,

i prefer the pint sized Joao Moutinho to take control in the Mid field with Paul Scholes.

King, Cyberjaya, Malaysia

If Sir Alex needs 20 million to secure Tevez's services, and Ronaldo is kept (with a substantial pay rise), does that mea they'll only have 10 million (or less with Ronaldo's wages) left to spend on a right back and a striker???

Tom, Haverfordwest, Wales

frank ribery or david bentley + sergio ramos + dimitar berbatov or michael owen - cristiano ronaldo = man utd laughing all the way to the bank and the european cup.

frankribbitty, LONDON, UK

The question is not whether Ferguson wants to keep Ronaldo, but could the Glazers turn down a fat profit on the winger? It's only a business for them after all.

Joe, London,

Ferguson told the whole media he wanted to sign Benzema the night before they played Lyon. Dani Alves has signed for Barca. Why would Ramos leave Madrid for Manchester? He's from seville!!

Carmine, Rome,

I would say that Adrian Mutu would be a bargain.The Fiorentina striker has impressed in the last couple of years......he is 29 years old......now, at this age I would saythat he will enjoy his football at the best of his skills.

Andy, Manchester,

As Ferguson was happy to pay 18 Million for Carrick then by the same yardstick Berbatov must be worth 200 million!

Graham Duncan, Austin , Texas USA

Wishfull thinking: Hype up Ronaldo's price and get Barca to join the bidding. Then either get a high price+Robinho+Ramos as Madrid are willing to pay practically any price or Ronaldinho+high price from Braca.
This way have a good chance of replacing Ronaldo with another wizard+ cashing in.

yoni greenson, vitoria, brazil

how dare fergie rave and rant about real unsettling ronnie when he has been unsettling berba for nearly a whole year now ,

del, barnsley, uk

I think MU should sold Ronaldo to sign others player who love the Red Devils forever (like me)

Luong Khanh Thien, Ha Noi, VietNam

Berbatov is a sunny day player, doesn't work hard and would not
fit in at Utd.
United dont actively use the press to poach players like Real Madrid.
They go through the proper channels.
Dont be fooled, Spurs were happy to get 18m for carrick.

david b, stockport, england

Well written article. Just a few things to say though. As is never mentioned in the media to add to the doom and gloom surrounding berbatovs future at tottenham, the club does actually have an option of extending his contract for a further two years. Also alves has signed for barca so no chance

Tom, London, England

we shud sell ronaldo if he wants to leave cud become a distructive influence on the other players 50m +diarra ramos robinho they might do it sound desperate add to our transfer money already and buy hunterlaar 18m and ramsey shud already be on the way sell saha aswell silvestre bring back evans

royston, stockwell, england

Not quite sure how other commenters think that Fergie has "tapped up" berbatov? He hasnt come out with any statements saying how well Berbatov would fit into his team, there havent been "leaks" about how much berbatv will earn if he does move etc. as in the case of the ronaldo saga.

John, Manchester, UK

Ferguson and Manutd have never made a statement saying how they want to get someone. Can anyone remember Fergie actually spoke out and say that "we want Berbatov"? No. All of these are rumours fuelled by the press.

Fergie didn't make any stupid statement like that Clown Calderon did. So there.

Chris, Cambridge,

Typical double standards of ferguson. He wants things his way. remember the Heinze fiasco. Ronaldo would go, and its all happening in the same manner in an International arena, like how he used to poach players through his own players in the international camps. With no links, he'w probably use Nani

raulraj, singapore, singapore

lots of experts on here have untd tapped up berbatov then?
any proof or just peoples unsubstaniated views

paul, salford,

Fergie is a big mouth when it comes to another team aproaching one of his players but it doesnt seem to be the same rule for him Berbatov being just one case.Its all sour grapes on his part, remember when Becks,VanNistroy and Heinze left for RM.

Richard, Estepona, Spain

Berba's contract: 2 more years + Spurs have option of 2 years more, so no £25m discount domestic transfer is likely. Rooney-, Carrick-style late transfers from rivals, ploy — not this time. ManU fury at Real for poaching Ronaldo, ignores ManU's own protracted media/web poaching campaign for Berba.

Pete, NW London, UK

Typical two faced hypocritical Ferguson at it again.

The man is classless.

J.Dawes, Manchester,

Would love it if FIFA / UEFA asked United what the difference is between what Real have done with Ronaldo and what they have done with Berba and before that Carrick. Give it but can't take it springs to mind!
I hope he goes to teach united a lesson, there are always bigger fish in the sea!

Nathan, Stockport,

If his gonna go please let it be milan and not man utd , i cant bear to watch this great player of ours playing for a different prem team ... Berbs should really reathink what he doing and just look at what ramos is building at the lane ... Fingers crossed ...

ben, london, england

So, Ferguson would love to show that it is important that United players honour their contracts, but in the same breath he wants Berbatov to dishonour his contract with Spurs to move to United. That's interesting, to say the least.

Shannon, Johannesburg, South Africa

Ferguson can unsettle players in other teams, but if other teams unsettle his players that is not allowed. He seems to think that there is one law for him and another law for others. Disgraceful behaviour

Anne, Hitchin, UK

I really enjoyed reading the blog.I do think that united should concentrate on signing benzema rather than berbatov coz he is young & would be a better potion in the near future.

Shrish, Nagpur, India

Joseph, while Berbatove may have a four year deal, so does Ronaldo, and thats where the whole problem starts.....

Ged, Sydney,

This idea that United would be the same without Ronaldo is mental. Sure, they would still be a great team just because of the depth of class which runs throughout their squad - but does anyone remember how badly they started the season when Ronaldo and Rooney were injured? Terrible.

Richard J, Falmouth, England

Ronaldo won't go though, people seem to be ingnoring what he initially said and a whole spiralling whirlwind of speculation has resulted - though he doesnt appear to have helped himself with some recent comments. What he said was that ONE DAY (not necessarily right now) he would like to play abroad.

Richard J, Falmouth, England

If Ronaldo doesn't go this year I think he will stay at united for the remainder of his contract and beyond. However I think he will go to Real. He has been a great servant to the club for nearly five years and if playing for Real is HIS dream then who has the right to stand in his way. Good article

Pete Ireson, Totnes, England

Has anyone noticed just how much of a disaster area Ronaldo is when he isn't under Alex Ferguson's wing. The World Cup/Rooney debacle and now his inability to manage the media over R Madrid.This epsiode proves Fergie's worth as a manager more than Ronaldo's as a player. Caveat emptor Real.

Alex S, Leeds, Yorkshire

Ferguson has blatantly tapped up a player in Berbatov himself, yet United wish to report Real Madrid for declaring their admiration for Ronaldo? The hypocrisy is there for all to see.

Stuart, Northampton,

" Tottenham were to rebuff attempts by Manchester United to sign him". Maybe Spurs should have reported Man Utd to the FA like spoilt little cry babies. Oh no, we'll leave that for Man Utd in the Ronaldo affair.

Nic, Brighton,

Alex Ferguson trying to upset a premiership player, from a potnetial rival before he prizes them away. Now where have I heard that before?

Paul, Sevenoaks,

Is that the same Dani Alvesthat has signed for Barca....

James, St Albans,

As per Joseph, the remaining term is 4 years. Fergeson's illegal pursuit of Berbatov over the last two seasons is a disgrace. He even sanctioned Carrick's articles saying how well he would fit into United's Team. Why do the media, FA and Ferguson feel this is acceptable when Real Madrid's is'nt ?

Mike Campion, Luton, England

Well written article. Hope Berbatov decides to stay stays @ spurs. But if does go good luck to him, a excellent player. A spurs supporter...

roj, hayes, uk

Berbatov won't leave Tottenham they won't let him.
Ronaldo, what to do with this guy. Tracking back is not his thing as he shows on the pitch but there is no denying in this debacle he's the master of it off the pitch.
If he does go United will still be United as they have shown many times before.

sarah, warrington,

With that kind of money available, you could even start thinking of bringing in the likes of Ronaldinho to replace Ronaldo, assuming Barcelona really are happy to sell him. Even Kaka perhaps, he may not be massively impressed with Uefa Cup football!

Andrew, Southampton,

yeah,very well said...ronaldo's departure would'nt change much at man utd...if he really wants to leave then he should be allowed to...

Ganesh, Bangalore, India

Berbs has a 2 tier selling price, 25M if he goes abroad and 35M if he goes to another english club so Fergie will have to shell out slightly more. I would say 80% of spurs fans want him to stay but would take the money as theres no point having the moany old sod around.

Bernard, Watford, England

It was a pretty good read, although I will point out that Berbatov has 4 years left on his contract.
When he was bought he signed a 4 yr deal with the club having an option of extending it by a further 2(Tottenham do this a lot. Luka Modric has a similar deal)
Tottenham hold all the aces.

Joseph, Kent, UK

manchester united will not get the players that they want, because the clubs dont want to sell to them

guy Beckington, London, United Kingdom

I agree with the other readers, even though I am a Spurs fan, good content and balanced, well done.

Gary Hunter, Chelmsford, UK

Why not take a pot shot at Ribiery?

udayan, KOLKATA, INDIA

really enjoyable read ... so diferent from the normal speculation... tonyp

tony purewall, slough , england

This has been the best analysis I have seen so far about the Ronaldo saga. Very well written.

Chidi, London,