Manchester United have lost big players before and still gained success, seems to be the message coming from former players of the club.

News that an offer of £80 million from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo has been accepted came out of the blu this morning, but Frank Stapleton, who played up front for the club during the 1980s, pointed out that they did not suffer when David Beckham and Jaap Stam left the club, or when Eric Cantona retired.

"I feel that money will be used very, very quickly," Stapleton said. "When the top players have left Manchester United the actual team has not been diminished in any way, they have gone on to be stronger again.

"The Champions League final for Sir Alex Ferguson will have opened his eyes as to what Manchester United need to do to stay top, not only in England but in Europe."

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United's problem is that they will have to replace Ronaldo with not one but two new players: a brilliant winger and a prolific goalscorer

Oliver Kay

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Arthur Albiston, who made 485 appearances for United, believes Ronaldo's move could lead to Carlos Tevez remaining at Old Trafford next season.

"Cristiano might end up staying but I very much doubt it," he said. "Once the club have given him permission to speak to Real Madrid, I think that will be it and he will be on his way.

"[The news] has not come as a great shock. There were a lot of rumours last season about him leaving.

"You do not want to hold on to a player who is not going to show total commitment to the club. Having said that, he has been a fantastic ambassador for the club. United have had six years out of him. Supporters probably do not realise that as he is so young."

Argentina striker Tevez's loan spell runs out this summer and his future remains unclear. "I don't think they can turn [the transfer fee] down," Albiston added. "The only problem the manager has got is to find someone to replace Cristiano given the number of goals he has scored.

"When [Ruud] van Nistelrooy left, people said the manager did not know what he is doing but Ronaldo stepped up to the plate. Whether this might allow them to sign Tevez now and still have money left in the kitty to get other players ... the manager will not have his head buried in the sand. He will be looking and scouring the market worldwide."

Former United manager Tommy Docherty believes the Old Trafford club should "cut [Real's] hands off" and feels they should definitely sell the Portugal winger.

Docherty, who led United for five years in the 1970s, said: "I think it's fantastic business. It was £40 million, it was £50 million, it was £60 million, now it's £80 million and I think they should cut their hands off and run and don't even consider about it at all.

"There is no way they would sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid without Sir Alex Ferguson's say-so. I can only think Alex has come to the conclusion - and I think he's quite right - to get rid of him because the same problem is going to arise next year again and the year after.

"I sit at home giggling sometimes when managers say 'he is not available at any price' and a fortnight later he is gone. Every player has got a price and if a club is prepared to pay that price then he will go.

"When you fall out with Sir Alex, whatever may be the reasons - Beckham did it as well with the entourage he carried with him - they're on their way."