the stirrings of premiership hope...

[NICKZS]

The problem is we need the fire power to convert those draws in to wins, how often can we rely on Torres and Gerrard.

Another thing is this is Torres 'difiificult' 2nd season and many Premiership teams will now know what he's about and try formulate a plan to stop him.

'Try' being the operative word

[Imy]

Ronaldo is nigh on impossible to replace IMO. Any player who scores over 40 goals individually is going to be. Man U can only play 11 men at one time and taking Ronaldo out of the equation means that they are going to have to pitch in with a lot more goals collectively.

I'd say they'd be doing well to find a player for his role who is capable of scoring half the goals he scored last season and I think they will really struggle to build on what they had without him in the side.

True he was awesome for them, but with his (possible) departure i think the Mancs will play more to the strengths of both Rooney, Tevez and who ever else they may sign who can pick up the slack.

[The Aardvark]

1. scum will be weakened by the loss of ronaldo.
2. on the basis of the way portugal defended last night - and the exodus of players like carvalho, lampard and especially drogba - chelsea will be weakened.
3. the direction arsenal will go in is hard to predict.
4. we should have more strength in depth and maybe even one more match winning champagne signing.

we'll finish above chelsea - scolari may not even make it to the end of the season.

we should have the beating of arsenal at home at least at this stage.

no matter who scum sign to replace ronaldo, their system will have to adapt.

we'll challenge for first next season.

I like it.

The only thing is......I have convinced myself of something similarly optimistic for every season since 1991

[MattB]

I like it.

The only thing is......I have convinced myself of something similarly optimistic for every season since 1991

Haven't we all. But what's the alternative? A defeatist attitude just makes you unhappy.

Better to be optimistic and risk being unhappy later, than to be pessimistic and hope for a brief moment of happiness later

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

lets hope we see something special from Ryan Babel next year ! IMO he could really make a difference if we opt not to sign a new left winger.

[Tee]

Babel is not a winger - so in that respect I really hope we sign someone like Silva. I see Babel playing more as a striker this season and hopefully forging some kind of partnerships with Stevie and Nando.

Surprise of the season will be Kuyt..... have a gut feeling he will turn it round this season. Big time.

[billy_mac]

Ronaldo is nigh on impossible to replace IMO. Any player who scores over 40 goals individually is going to be. Man U can only play 11 men at one time and taking Ronaldo out of the equation means that they are going to have to pitch in with a lot more goals collectively.

I'd say they'd be doing well to find a player for his role who is capable of scoring half the goals he scored last season and I think they will really struggle to build on what they had without him in the side.

I am unfortunately in agreement with Robbie on this. You won't replace ronaldo with one player but Fergie has shown that he will spend big money if he has it, and he'll certainly have it if ronaldo goes. They are missing a right back and a centre forward. He'll probably end up with lahm at right back, benzema/huntelaar/berbatov or somebody of that ilk up front and he'll still have a hole pile of change to buy two wingers to try replace ronaldo.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Never meant to imply Babel was a winger sorry, but i was considering the 4-2-3-1 formation in which he plays wide left. I cannot see him being used too often as a main forward this season although I would !

Kuyt has been brilliant in the right sided position for us, and watching Holland in the Euro's he's impressed me even more.

I would love a Silva type signing but with talk of Milner, I think we are better off with what we already have.

[Tee]

Never meant to imply Babel was a winger sorry, but i was considering the 4-2-3-1 formation in which he plays wide left. I cannot see him being used too often as a main forward this season although I would !

Kuyt has been brilliant in the right sided position for us, and watching Holland in the Euro's he's impressed me even more.

I would love a Silva type signing but with talk of Milner, I think we are better off with what we already have.

[Imy]

I think the idea is to have an interchangeable 3 behind Torres, yes they have a starting position but this can be switched around and be fluid in the game. Silva would be ideal in Kuyt's position as he like Gerarrd and Babel has the pace and ability - Kuyt is a grafter and does OK but for me he is the weak point in the 3 behind Torres.

[NICKZS]

I am unfortunately in agreement with Robbie on this. You won't replace ronaldo with one player but Fergie has shown that he will spend big money if he has it, and he'll certainly have it if ronaldo goes. They are missing a right back and a centre forward. He'll probably end up with lahm at right back, benzema/huntelaar/berbatov or somebody of that ilk up front and he'll still have a hole pile of change to buy two wingers to try replace ronaldo.

But how is he going to get them all on the pitch? 40+ goals from one position cannot be accounted for by players who are on the bench. By which I mean, if Fergie buys 3 quality players with the Ronaldo money then who does he take out of the current XI?

Remember they also have to pay out £20m or so on Tevez. And I'm not convinced he'd go out and buy 2 more wingers when he's already spent £17m on Nani who was starting to look like Ronaldo's understudy. And Lahm signed a new contract with Bayern last month so I don't think that looks a probable transfer really.

I realise that United will be strengthened by more quality signings but the influence that Ronaldo's departure will have on the team is going to be untold in my opinion.

[MattB]

But how is he going to get them all on the pitch? 40+ goals from one position cannot be accounted for by players who are on the bench. By which I mean, if Fergie buys 3 quality players with the Ronaldo money then who does he take out of the current XI?

Remember they also have to pay out £20m or so on Tevez. And I'm not convinced he'd go out and buy 2 more wingers when he's already spent £17m on Nani who was starting to look like Ronaldo's understudy. And Lahm signed a new contract with Bayern last month so I don't think that looks a probable transfer really.

I realise that United will be strengthened by more quality signings but the influence that Ronaldo's departure will have on the team is going to be untold in my opinion.

Agree with that. The rest of the team looked solid last season but ronaldo brought 90% of the flair. The rest of them are going to have to step up to the plate when he has gone, no matter who they sign - partly because whoever it is will need time to settle and partly because I can't see anyone who could fill his role in the side. Could do either way I reckon but they'll need to replace his goals from somewhere

[Imy]

Agree with that. The rest of the team looked solid last season but ronaldo brought 90% of the flair. The rest of them are going to have to step up to the plate when he has gone, no matter who they sign - partly because whoever it is will need time to settle and partly because I can't see anyone who could fill his role in the side. Could do either way I reckon but they'll need to replace his goals from somewhere

Tevez and Rooney will score more add to that a possible and out and out striker and the goals will still be there.

[MattB]

Tevez and Rooney will score more add to that a possible and out and out striker and the goals will still be there.

We'll see, but that is by no means certain

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

NICKZS you make a lot of sense but my initial post meant that United as a whole would be harder to beat, breakdown and i believe will become a stronger unit. I was not debating that Ronaldo will be missed, given the choice would you rather have a Ronaldo player at the club or say 75million in which to build team ?