Docherty: United should jump at €94m
The deal is expected to go through by June 30 and Docherty believes the transfer will benefit United both financially and in terms of off-field disruption.
Docherty, who managed United for five years in the 1970s maintained: “I think it’s fantastic business. It was £40m, it was £50m, it was 60, now it’s 80 and I think they should cut their hands off and run and don’t even consider about it at all.”
He added: “There is no way they would sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid without (manager) Alex Ferguson’s say-so. I can only think Alex has come to the conclusion – and I think he’s quite right – get rid of him because the same problem is going to arise next year and the year after.
“When you fall out with Alex, whatever may be the reasons – (David) Beckham did it as well with the entourage he carried with him – they’re on their way. You can’t have this disharmony brought upon the players and the club every year and I think United cut their hands off and give Real Madrid the problem of handling Ronaldo from now on in. Man United are the biggest club in the world: talk about Real Madrid and Barcelona. No, when you leave Man United you go downhill.”
Former United striker Frank Stapleton believes there is no need for panic, pointing out United did not suffer when Beckham or Jaap Stam left the club, or when Eric Cantona retired.
Stapleton said: “When the top players have left Manchester United, the actual team has not been diminished in any way, they have gone on to be stronger again.
“The Champions League final (a 2-0 defeat by Barcelona) for Alex Ferguson will have opened his eyes, what Man United need to do to stay top, not only in England but in Europe.”
Arthur Albiston, who spent 14 years as a full-back at Old Trafford, feels it may mean Carlos Tevez will remain at the club, with the Argentina striker’s future unclear now his loan spell has ended.
“Whether this might allow them to sign Tevez now and still have money left in the kitty to get other players... the manager will not have his head buried in the sand. He will be looking and scouring the market worldwide.”
United and Portugal team-mate Nani admits Ronaldo will be missed but believes they have enough quality already at Old Trafford to ensure his absence is not felt too keenly.
“Cristiano’s departure is not impossible to fix,” he said. “He will be missed but United have other players who can replace him.”
Prospective team-mate and compatriot Pepe is eager to welcome Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.
He said: “I’m very happy because it is another Portuguese player who will be in Spanish football and I hope it’s completed as soon as possible to have him for next season.
“The transfer has made history, but Real know Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential well and the qualities he has to help the club perform.”
If the transfer goes through, Madrid will have spent an unprecedented amount of money in such a short period of time following their successful pursuit of Kaka earlier this week.
It is not likely to be the end of their summer spending spree and Pepe hopes the newcomers will gel quickly to create a side capable of challenging bitter rivals Barcelona, who won the treble last season
“I hope we have a united team, with a good style of play,” he added. “I hope it will be a competitive team to do well in the Champions League and go as far as possible.”
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