Source: Daily_Mail
Fergie warns Ronaldo he'll play at the back as United boss scoffs at Real deal
Three superpowers of European football have joined forces to insist Real Madrid's extravagant summer spending is no guarantee of success.[LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson led the charge on behalf of Manchester United before Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal and AC Milan coach Leonardo added weight to the argument that Real will struggle to mould their new generation of galacticos into an effective force.[LNB] The trio are well placed to comment on the daunting task which faces Real coach Manuel Pellegrini. After all, it was United who prised a world record £80million out of Real for Cristiano Ronaldo, soon after £56m had been deposited in the Milan coffers for Kaka.[LNB] Over to you, Wayne: Sir Alex Ferguson (right) will be relying more on his striker Rooney, pictured training in Munich today[LNB]Real are also hoping that Xabi Alonso will put in a transfer request at Liverpool to trigger a £30m deal to take him back to the Spanish capital. Alonso was in Spain visiting family yesterday but is expected to express his desire to leave Anfield this week.[LNB] Manager Rafa Benitez is then prepared to strike a compromise on his £35m demands for the 27-year-old midfielder which should see the deal concluded by the weekend. Alonso will be followed to Real by Alvaro Arbeloa for £5m.[LNB]Hard act to follow: Cristiano Ronaldo has a lot of attacking team-mates at Real Madrid such as (below) Raul and Karim Benzema[LNB] [LNB]"I would not like to be (Real coach Manuel) Pellegrini picking his teams." [LNB]As for Bayern, they are bucking the trend by refusing to give in to Real over Franck Ribery, even though the France midfielder is reportedly desperate to join the Bernabeu revolution.[LNB] Speaking ahead of the Audi Cup here in Munich, which also features Argentine side Boca Juniors, Ferguson drew upon the history of English football to fire a shot across Real's bows.[LNB] 'There is a great example of a team (who could not buy success),' warned the United manager. 'It was called Sunderland and spent so much money that it was known as the Bank of England club. They didn't win anything and in the end they got themselves relegated.[LNB] 'I am not saying that Real Madrid will get relegated but they will have plenty of problems with balance.[LNB] 'I do not know how Pellegrini plans to pick his side because it has no balance. I told Ronaldo before he flew out that he will end up playing centre half because I don't think they have one.'[LNB] Stars in their eyes: Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal (left) and Ferguson take the mic in Germany[LNB] Next came former Barcelona manager Van Gaal, saying: 'My belief is that you have to make a team, you just cannot go out and buy one.[LNB] 'I hope Real can make a team out of so many individuals but I don't know if they can. Alex Ferguson has done it for 20 years and I believe that I have managed to do it, but I know it is very hard.'[LNB] Leonardo may just be cutting his teeth in the world of management after replacing Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti at the San Siro, but the Brazil legend showed an aptitude for mind games that was every inch the measure of seasoned campaigners Ferguson and Van Gaal.[LNB] 'It will not be easy for Real and they have not succeeded in the past,' said the new Milan coach. 'They had their experiment with the galacticos and at the end of it all they did not win everything. You can buy up good talent but it is not easy to construct a squad and manage players like Kaka, Ronaldo and (Karim) Benzema.[LNB] Hands on the silverware (from left): AC Milan boss Leonardo, Van Gaal, Boca Juniors' Alfio Basile and Ferguson[LNB]'You need more than just money to build a team. You need more than talent, you need spirit and we will have to see if Madrid have this spirit.'[LNB] Spirit is something Ferguson believes United retain in abundance. Though keen not to heap pressure on Antonio Valencia's young shoulders, Ferguson sees no reason why the £17m purchase from Wigan cannot cope with the responsibility of United's right wing.[LNB] Confirming that Valencia, 23, will make his debut against Boca after missing United's Far East tour due to visa problems, Ferguson said: 'It's difficult to replace players of the standard of Ronaldo and Kaka. But it is in the nature of our club that we cope.'[LNB] THE INSIDER'S LIVE WINDOW WATCH: Germans bid to scupper Blackburn's Pogrebnyak bid... plus all of Tuesday's hot gossipOwen can still be a world-beater at Manchester United, insists GiggsRonaldo looks on the bright side as Bernabeu bow doesn't go to planCLICK HERE to play MailOnline's new Fantasy Football game and win £50,000MANCHESTER UNITED FC
