Manchester United's Golden Boy Not Going Anywhere

(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Just hours after Manchester United announced its world record sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to "Galactico" hungry Real Madrid, and already talk of an end of an era for the Reds has spread over the wires like wild fire. Pundits near and far seem quick to predict demise at Old Trafford.

To the prophets of gloom and doom, I say: hold your horses.

True, the English Premiere League is becoming more competitive than ever with next year promising to be a tough contest for Manchester United:

Liverpool's Rafael Benitez has slowly but surely built himself a tightly knit team centered around exciting talents like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. With the Merseysiders coming in at second place last season, Liverpool now looks more believable as a title contender than anytime since its golden era of the '70s and '80s.

Chelsea's star power continues to make the West Londoners a dangerous rival, and with the fresh addition of the indomitable Carlo Ancelotti as manager, Chelsea may just have squared away its one area of inconsistency.

Arsenal, though struggling recently, has long opted for the meticulous path of developing youth talent from within its own ranks over the immediate gratification of star signings.

With its increasingly impatient fans now breathing down Arsene Wenger's neck, a trophy-strapped Arsenal sees no time better than 2009-2010 to see Wenger's investment pay off via a cohesive team eager to deliver his much-hyped brand of beautiful football—and win.

Then there are the dark horses showing signs of breaking into the big four next season.

At the top of the list comes Manchester City, now owned by a wealthy Arab investment company who brought in no less than Brazilian superstar Robinho no later than the day they acquired the club. Though they finished mid-table last season, some analysts predict a possible spike in the club's prospects.

And don't rule out Everton, whose strong performance last season left it teetering just outside the big four.

Europe is becoming more competitive as well.

Given recent events out there, Manchester United will need everything it can muster if it is to reach the UEFA Champions League final for a record third consecutive time:

Barcelona's treble last season clearly heralded the arrival of a new super team, possibly more compelling than Cruyff's Barcelona "Dream Team" of the 90's.

Real Madrid's violent acquisition of world class players like Kaka and Ronaldo—both trophy-hungry and capable—means that Real cannot be dismissed from contention next year.

And given their current form, Inter Milan, Liverpool, and Chelsea all seem as formidable opponents to Manchester United's European dreams as any.

So yes, Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United at a rather tricky time.

And yes, Ronaldo's value to the Reds cannot be easily replaced: his 91 goals helped them win three back to back League titles, and reach two back to back UEFA Championship finals (winning one and losing the other earlier this year to Barcelona), in addition to whisking away several other trophies.

But make no mistake about it, Manchester United's true golden boy is not going anywhere.

Manchester United's golden era did not begin with the acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo and so it will not end with his departure.

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