Reaction to Real's Ronaldo offer
After months of speculation, Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo finally looks to be on his way to Real Madrid for a fee of £80m.
Despite Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson vehemently denying he would sell the Portuguese star to Madrid every time a rumour surfaced, Real president Florentino Perez has come up with an offer that was just too good to resist as he looks to assemble the "galacticos" mark two.
Here is a round-up of reactions to the world record-breaking transfer.
FORMER MAN UTD PLAYER PADDY CRERAND
"My reaction is disappointment more than anything because he's a great, great player - this situation of 'is he or isn't he?' has been going on for last 12 months. I honestly thought he'd stay there as long as the manager would but it hasn't worked out that way, he obviously wants to go.
"He's a great player - there's a lot of jealousy out there about great players and about Manchester United being successful so that comes into it, there's not many foreign players in England who don't do the occasional dive but he's a fantastic player.
"I never thought for one moment that he'd leave, I thought he might have stayed for another couple of years, it's a great disappointment."
ANDY MITTEN, UNITED WE STAND FANZINE EDITOR"History will remember him very well in terms of his contribution as a footballer - he'll also be seen as petulant, egotistical and stubborn but he's been a wonderful player.
"We'll make a lot money out of him, the club is not going to die. When David Beckham left it was because the club wanted to sell him.
"I think Sir Alex Ferguson has been very clever, he has resources to replace Ronaldo and he doesn't see Madrid as a great threat - it's another stage in the history of Manchester United, we've got a brilliant manager, which is more important than a very talented winger."
FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER ARTHUR ALBISTON"I don't think they can turn it down. 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 Carlos 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."
MAN UTD SUPPORTERS TRUST CHIEF DUNCAN DRASDO"We are calling upon the owners to make a statement of intent that all incoming transfer funds will be made available to Sir Alex Ferguson to allow the manager to strengthen the squad.
"With the expected £25-30m annual spend and other potential transfers (such as Fraizer Campbell) this should amount to at least £115m.
"There will be a spotlight shining on Manchester United transfer activity this summer to ensure the manager is given the resources he requires and that this money stays in the club."
SPORTS MINISTER AND MAN UTD FAN GERRY SUTCLIFFE"If a player wants to go you've got to let him go but it's great business for the club; they bought him for £12m and they've sold him now for £80m.
Sutcliffe concern over huge transfer fees
"We saw Madrid spend £59m on Kaka from AC Milan just recently and that's why we've written to the Premier League and to the Football Association - and we are concerned about the sustainability of the game.
"They are big businesses now and this type of money is around but we've got to make sure that there's a link and there's a sustainability for this because we don't want to see clubs go to the wall."
PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN"He's one of the most brilliant players in the world. I think people will be sad that he's lost to the game in England.
"At the same time, I know Sir Alex Ferguson well, and I know he'll have plans that will be rebuilding and renewing his team. And I would expect that Manchester United and English football will emerge not weaker, but emerge in a new way and probably stronger in the long run".
