Gary Megson: Manchester United Just As Strong Without Cristiano Ronaldo

Bolton Wanderers manager Gary Megson has insisted that Manchester United have not been weakened despite the fact they have lost influential Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo quit Old Trafford for Real Madrid in the summer in what was a record breaking deal and he has begun life in Spain in deadly fashion having notched nine goals in just seven starts for his new side.

Despite the loss of their former talisman, United are sitting comfortably in second place in the Premier League, just two points behind leaders Chelsea and Megson is adamant that the Red Devils are just as strong without Ronaldo.

Asked whether he thought Sir Alex Ferguson's team were weaker without the former Sporting Lisbon man the Trotters boss claimed, as quoted by the Press Association: “No — maybe they are a bit different in that Ronaldo isn't there.

“But they are also a little bit different in that [Wayne] Rooney is growing in stature with each season that comes along, and there are one or two other players.

“People seem to be surprised that [Darren] Fletcher is doing as well as he is doing, but he always has.

“People have always had their opinion about Darren and yet any other football club would take him tomorrow.

“Because he's not flamboyant, he's rarely got the credit he deserves, but now you see him starting to flourish, you see what Alex Ferguson knew all along.”

Stephen Darwin, Goal.com UK