Who will replace Cristiano Ronaldo?

Sir Alex Ferguson has lined up three main targets to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, according to most of the British press this morning. Luis Antonio Valencia from Wigan is expected to be first in Ferguson's sights - Man Utd have already made enquiries about the Ecuadorian winger and Fergie had been rumoured as seeing him as a long-term replacement for Ronaldo.

Another player who has been on Man Utd's radar for some time is Karim Benzema of Lyon, a 21-year-old French international striker. Lyon have slapped a price tag of £68m on Benzema, but are believed to be willing to let him go for half that.

Finally the club are also keeping tabs on another French star, the midfielder Franck Ribery who currently plays for Bayern Munich. Ribery wants to leave the German side but is reported to prefer a move to Spain, perhaps to Real Madrid.

Ferguson has been guaranteed that most of the £80m that Man Utd will receive for Ronaldo will be earmarked for the transfer kitty, which should assuage some Old Trafford fans' fears that the club's owners, the Glazer family, would use the money to pay off the debts they incurred buying Man Utd.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Steve Wilson, Daily Telegraph: "Valencia is an instant, cut-price replacement for Ronaldo as a right-sided forward who would come with buckets of Premier League experience and a fantastic reputation after two years of stellar performances for Wigan. Before they had their offer for Ronaldo accepted Real, too, were sniffing around the Ecuadorean. A clause in his Wigan contract means Valencia could leave for around £6m in a year’s time and so Wigan’s hopes of securing £20m for him appear forlorn."

Ian Ladyman and Matt Lawton, Daily Mail: "It became clear yesterday that far from being reluctant to allow Ronaldo to leave, Ferguson actively encouraged the deal once he was made aware of the massive fee. It is also understood that Ferguson has been given a personal assurance by the club’s owners, the Glazer family, that the entire proceeds of the deal will be made available along with his annual £20m transfer budget. Whether the United boss opts to spend it all is another matter - United must find £65m a year just to service club debt, according to financial experts - but he is certainly not short of options as he looks to replace a player who has underpinned the club’s return to the top of the European game over the last few years."

Antony Kastrinakis and Neil Custis, the Sun: "French international Benzema would cost £25m. Aged 21, and already a proven striker, he fits Fergie's policy of buying young players who can only get better. Benzema hit 31 goals in 51 games as a 19-year-old for Lyon in 2007-08 and 17 in the league last term.He can play on either flank or through the middle, like Ronaldo. A regular international, he has been described by France legend Zinedine Zidane as 'The jewel in French football'." ·