Manchester United's Dilemma: How To Replace Cristiano Ronaldo?

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid has undoubtedly dealt a massive blow to Manchester United's hopes of retaining the Premier League for the fourth consecutive season, besides regaining 'their' European crown which currently belongs to FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid are set to complete Ronaldo's signing which would make him their second high-profile signing of the summer after Kaka's arrival from AC Milan.

Sir Alex Ferguson described Ronaldo's move to the Santiago Bernabeau as 'inevitable'.

Real Madrid's re-elected president Florentino Perez has revived the Galacticos era which once saw the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Raul playing together.

The Red Devils, however, did not let the Portuguese sensation leave on the cheap. On the contrary, the World Player of the Year has joined Madrid for a staggering fee believed to be worth up to £80 million.

From United's point of view, indeed, Ronaldo was a huge asset who played pivotal role in United's pursuit of the Premier League and the Champions League but they can't afford to moan over this loss, The Red Devils need to look for a replacement.

Various players have been speculated as a possible replacement for Ronaldo who scored a sensational 42 goals, two season ago, helping United to domestic glory and continental supremacy.

Here's a look at a host of possible replacements.

Luis Antonio Valencia (Wigan Athletic)

Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly become a keen admirer of Valencia over the last couple of seasons.

The Ecuadorian winger is 23 years old and is being linked to a host of top European clubs besides United including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Valencia's expected transfer cost is believed to be around £16 million.

Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Rumours around Villa Park suggest the Red Devils have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the race to land Ashley Young.

The former England U-21 star is one the Premier League's 'hottest properties'. Young has the pace to fuel United's attack on the flanks, he's a decent finisher and can take free-kicks, in short, his services are quite similar to Ronaldo himself.

Young's expected transfer cost is believed to be around £24 million in addition to Park Ji Sung also heading the other way.

Franc Ribery (Bayern Munich)

Ribery is likely to be United's first-choice as a replacement for Ronaldo but with financial powerhouses like Chelsea and Real Madrid also looking to land the French winger, it is highly unlikely, that United will come out on top.

Ribery's expected transfer cost is expected to be £68 million.

Ricardo Quaresma (Inter Milan)

He was a flop at Inter and failed to make an impression with his loan stint at Chelsea which would make signing Quaresma a real gamble but the former FC Porto winger is top quality player and his playing style is quite similar to his compatriot, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Quaresma's expected transfer cost is expected to be £19 million.

Arjen Robben (Real Madrid)

Adding the likes of Kaka, Ronaldo and possibly even Ribery, Madrid can now afford to part with the likes of Robben.

The Dutch winger will struggle to find playing time and could be off-loaded by Madrid, on the cheap, for as low as £14 million.

United might be ready to pounce on the ex-Chelsea star.

David Bentley, James Milner, Aaron Lennon, David Silva, Hatem Ben Arfa, Santi Cazorla and Maxi Rodriguez are the others being linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Who do you think is the best choice to replace Ronaldo or is he irreplaceable?

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