Ribery and Nine Other Possible Replacements for C-Ron

By: Rob | May 5th, 2009

So as you might have now seen, Manchester United have apparently launched a World Record bid for Franck Ribery, as the Bayern Munich striker wants out of Bavaria at the next available oppurtunity.

So is this just mindless papertalk, or does it mean that C-Ron is definitely on his way to emancipation? Well at the moment i’m still veering towards the former, but the latter would be fine by me, if only so we could stop hearing about how he’s on his way to Madrid.

In any situation, it doesn’t seem to me that Sir Alex has to spend quite that amount of money to replace Ronaldo (even though he’s presumably going to get more from Real for Ronaldo). So to help him out I’ve lined up the possible replacements to C-Ron should he be leaving.

1) Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) – The current favourite. The pros to getting Ribery in are fairly self-explaintory, he’s a natural winger, he wants out of Germany, he’s a proven international. The cons are pretty obvious as well – he’s going to cost £60m+ and over 100k a week. He might also be put off by Ribery’s lack of commitment to anywhere he’s ever played at.

2) Karim Benzema (Lyon) – Interest from Sir Alex supposedly peaked last year after Benzema’s performance against Manchester United in the Champions League announced him to the wider world (ie those ignorent of football in France). He can play out wide or as a striker, is quite young, and would probably cost a bit less than Ribery. On the other hand, he seems to prefer playing as the straight striker, and if he did join United he would almost certainly be playing wing.

3) Silva (Valencia) – With Valencia seemingly needing to get rid of absolutely everyone this summer, Silva should be high on every top club’s transfer targets. He’s a silky winger with a sweet cross, and could be seen as an ideal replacement for Ronaldo. Valencia will be looking for £30m+ for him. He also could forsake wingers and just get David Villa in.

4) Ricky Kaká (AC Milan) – This is the one that Man United fans are hopeful of, although there is probably very little chance. Talent-wise he more than matches up with Ronaldo, and has a couple of quiet seasons in Milan, so probably could do with the change. He is of course, not a winger, so it wouldn’t really plug the gap that Ronaldo would leave. It’d be lovely to see him in the Prem though.

5) Juninho (Lyon) – Alright so he’s old, but according to ITV earlier this year, he’s “the new Ronaldo” because apparently he can take a free-kick or two. Would be cheap too.

6) Someone we’ve never heard of (Unknown) – Because it wouldn’t surprise me if Fergie bought someone we didn’t really know and chucked him in the team, before he turned out to be the new Cantona or something.

7) Adriano (Somewhere in Brazil) – Might sound silly at first strike, but have a think. He can play out wide, Fergie always gets the best out of troubled players (see Cantona), and how much would he absolutely love to get Adriano to work when The Special One couldn’t? With nothing in terms of transfer fee, Fergie might consider this his last great challenge. Or not.

8. Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) – The Villa man spent all last summer pining for a move to the North West, Fergie would absolutely love to wave two fingers at Rafa and sign him himself wouldn’t he? He started his career out on the left wing, so he can play out wide. Fergie could use him as a replacement for Giggs and stick Nani right wing.

9) Ashley Young (Aston Villa) – The young wideman has been making waves for some time now, and it surely wouldn’t be that surprising to see him jump to a big four club in the summer? Fergie would have to pay a fair chunk to prize him away, but it probably is achieveable.

10) Someone from the youth team (Manchester United) – Well I wouldn’t be shocked if he has a replacement lined up already.