United sold Ronaldo to Real for £80million earlier this summer, with the Spanish giants also spending huge sums to bring in Kaka from AC Milan and Karim Benzema from Lyon.
The spending was prompted by the re-election of Florentino Perez as Real president. He was criticised in his first term for building a side containing sublime talent in some areas but lacking quality and experience in others, particularly in defence.
Ferguson sees a similar pattern emerging again, a view shared by his Milan counterpart Leonardo.
"I understand all too well that losing 26 goals from a winger is hard to replace, but we will try because it is the nature of our club that the expectations never change whether you have Ronaldo or (Antonio) Valencia," Ferguson said.
"I would not like to be (Real coach Manuel) Pellegrini picking his teams."
Ferguson joked: "I told Ronaldo when he left us that they will probably be playing him at centre-half; I don't think they have one.
"It is difficult with all their individuals to pick the right balance and that is part of it."
Leonardo, whose Milan side are involved alongside United in the four-team Audi Cup in Munich, must also cope without Kaka but is also hoping Real's 'galacticos' policy will come unstuck.
Talented
Talking about the first term under Perez, he said: "They did not win so much in the end. It is not easy to construct a team with talented individuals.
"To create a team, you need something more and we hope Real Madrid don't have that. Sometimes you need more than talent to win."
A small fraction of the Ronaldo transfer fee was reinvested to sign Valencia from Wigan, and he is expected to feature against Boca Juniors on Wednesday (kick-off 5.30pm).
Ferguson has attempted to play down expectations surrounding the Ecuador star, who he believes will need time to settle in at Old Trafford.
"He has the potential and we hope he will develop and will become a star of tomorrow," he said.
"Valencia is a player we watched throughout last season.
"He is young, athletic, has good power and I think, at the age of 23, he can develop at our club."
United face Boca Juniors before playing either Bayern Munich or AC Milan in Thursday's final or third-place play-off.
Ferguson added that he had done his homework on the South American opponents via late-night television.
"If you can't sleep at three in the morning in England, then you can see Boca," he said. "And I don't sleep at three so I have seen them many times.
"They are one of the best teams in South America. We had a very competitive game with them at Old Trafford three years ago."
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Still think David Silva or Douglas Costa will be signed in the next 10 days or so.
It's hard to argue with Fergie bearing in mind his record but people will find a way. Then come May when another trophy or trophies appear they all scuttle back into their cupboards. Then Fergie says or does something they don't like. Can someone explain to me how people who don't, are always telling people who do, how to do it?
The more things change, the more they are the same.
well done fergie not one mention of city...
All this Fergie bashing has just reminded me of Fergie's first home game in charge at United. Those who were there will remember that he moved some players out of position in the first half. As far as I was concerned all he was doing was demonstratng to his players who was boss. The supporter next to me said 'well I don't think much of this guy!!'
Premier League: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
FA Cup: 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
League Cup: 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09
FA Charity/Community Shield: 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008
UEFA Champions League: 1998–99, 2007–08
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1990–91
UEFA Super Cup: 1991
Intercontinental Cup: 1999
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
After all that there are still doubters. Funny old world isn't it?
paul leigh
28/07/2009 at 16:05 "The supporter next to me said 'well I don't think much of this guy!!" Perhaps the supporter was referring to his character and attitude. It is indeed a funny old world.
United coped very well before Ronaldo. I'm sure they'll cope even better without him; they'll be a team again.
Coping without Fergie is the only real concern. Fortunately, he wants to stay as much as fans want him to.
well done fergie not one mention of city...
spenner,
28/07/2009 at 15:58
He didn't mention City as he was talking about CL and thats not something that you bitters would know anything about, you didn't even make the Europa league this season did you? I remember you only got in that comp last time for fair play........Quality!!
With all this talk of other clubs Fergie is really starting to embarrass himself and this club I have loved for 16 years. Thanks for the wonderful memories but it is clear that you are now past it. Please leave now.
Paul Leigh - Sad to say but supporters and football fans won't appreciate just how good Fergie was until he has retired. If some people on here want him to leave after winning 3 league titles on the run, and with the chance of adding an unprecedented 4th - then you do just despair.
The only thing that will tarnish his legacy slightly is that he should have achieved more in Europe with the players he had - but that's something he readily admits himself and there would be plenty of managers who would love to have achieved what he has.
Do I remember correctly....
didn't a certain midget Argie forward appear at OT the last time we played Boca?
If I remember he showed a lot of energy and determination but little quality, failed to score and then got sent off. He was writing the future script of his united career. Maybe he's ome kind of footballing nostradamus?
I predict his first game for city will signpost the way his stint with them will go.
Yes totally agree a balance of some sort is definately needed around.
Drago 34 at 15:48, I agree yet again with you, something is happening behind the scenes. Bring on Boca Juniors.
Paul leigh,
It is a known fact - "if you can't do it - become a critic!" Enjoy your posts!
paul leigh: "Can someone explain to me how people who don't, are always telling people who do, how to do it?" - I like that, never a truer word.
That's a bit rich Alex. You seem to have a memory loss. Who can forget the Champions League Final, when you and the hapless Phelan were absolutely clueless as to how we could contain Barcelona's midfield.
Concentrate on the integration of the new players, Real Madrid is not your problem. Considering your constant eulogising of Ronaldo as the world's best player, and your failed attempt to sign Benzema, another player who will represent Madrid, I know who my money would be on if you draw them in the Champions League.
Mr Fergusons record is superb no1 can deny that. But anyone who thinks he has strengthened man utd this summer is deluded. Owen is finished, there are many good reasons no1 else wanted him (except that massive club Hull). He'll probably score a few tap ins against the lesser teams but his overall contribution to a game will be nowhere near what is required at the very top level.
A fit Torres and Gerrard are going to be unstoppable. Supplemented by the strongest midfield in England we are going to pick up where we left off in may and steamroller teams for fun.
Scholes would struggle for pace in league 2, Giggs best days are nearly as far behind him as Nevilles (please don't retire Gary), Obertan wasn't even good enough for Bordeaux, Valencia scores fewer goals than Ade Akinbiyi on a goal drought and is unproven at the top level. Anderson is erratic. It seems to me your only real solid performer would be Carrick, and he is not as effective as Alonso.
You should all be worried.
lying awake at 3 o clock at nite worrying about (this is our) CITY, get used to it old man, many more sleepless nites ahead, haha, Carlos, Welcome to Manchester
Mr Fergusons record is superb no1 can deny that. But anyone who thinks he has strengthened man utd this summer is deluded. Owen is finished, there are many good reasons no1 else wanted him (except that massive club Hull). He'll probably score a few tap ins against the lesser teams but his overall contribution to a game will be nowhere near what is required at the very top level.
A fit Torres and Gerrard are going to be unstoppable. Supplemented by the strongest midfield in England we are going to pick up where we left off in may and steamroller teams for fun.
Scholes would struggle for pace in league 2, Giggs best days are nearly as far behind him as Nevilles (please don't retire Gary), Obertan wasn't even good enough for Bordeaux, Valencia scores fewer goals than Ade Akinbiyi on a goal drought and is unproven at the top level. Anderson is erratic. It seems to me your only real solid performer would be Carrick, and he is not as effective as Alonso.
You should all be worried.
Fergie is the master of deception what manager would not wish to have Ronaldo Kaka and Benzema at his disposal,he is spot on about the defensive remarks they were terrible at the back last season and that was the area which needed total rebuilding but as usuall Perez more interested in the attacking side of his team which is why they will not win anything.United solid all the way through our side midfield a concern for a good few people but a good selection when we have them all fit would love to come across Real in the final it would be a dream to beat them in their own stadium..
Just seen Sir Alex getting a bottle of wine from Aldi. Surely my eyes need testing. I always thought he bought from Harrods?. Then Again I look at his buys on the football field. ENVIOUS!
You can buy eleven good players but you can't buy a team. Egos come into play and everyone will be trying to outdo everyone else! Look at United over the years.They have their glory boys,Ronaldo,Tevez,Ruud,Eric,Ferdinand,Becks, and the like,who take all the adulation but for every one of them we have the guys who do a great job without seeking fame or adulation.Wes,O'Shea,Giggsy,Scholes,Butt,Evra,the Nevilles,to name but a few! How much would ,say ,Fletch and O'Shea sell for now? 4-5 million? Look what we got for Phil and Nicky!To United,they are priceless because they do all the spadework for the glory boys without complaining! Ronaldo will miss the likes of Wes and JOS at Madrid!
I wonder how much longer clubs will have to listen to the sarcastic comments of salix?
Fourth place this year Sir Bacon, and then retirement. Just you worry about one of your scouse front-two getting:
a. into the stadium on his crutches;
b. more than 10 games in a season.
Welcome back to Stretford btw if you've landed.
Paul, They actually don't scuttle back in their closets. We win three trophies, the season ends and still they persist in attacking the most successful manager ever. He is the scapegoat for Ronaldo pursuing his dream and Tevez leaving. I read an article in The Sunday Times about five years ago about the glory days being over for United. Well its been pretty glorious since. I am sure we will be highly competitive in 2009/2010. There may be more fight in this team with a few players having something to prove, and some youngsters trying to break into the first team.
Sorry, I'm very disappointed with SAF because he has clearly got it very badly wrong with one of his comments. He says that he would 'not like to be Pellegrini picking his teams.' Fergie, where the hell do you get the notion from that Pellegrini will be picking the Real team?