CRAZY& VULGAR; Sir Bobby admits Real deal was too good to turn down: RONALDO UNITED BLAST.

Byline: , DAVID MADDOCK; MARTIN LIPTON 

SIR BOBBY CHARLTON conceded last night that Manchester United could not turn down Real Madrid's "vulgar" pounds 80million offer for Cristiano Ronaldo.

As Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas described Real's spending spree as a "tsunami" crashing over the global game, the United legend and director agreed that even his club were powerless to resist the Bernabeu blitzkrieg.

And while Sir Bobby insisted United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could be trusted to ensure the club prospers in the post-Ronaldo era, he accepted there may be months of regret at Old Trafford.

Speaking in China, Sir Bobby said: "It is an enormous amount of money and it sometimes seems a little bit vulgar.

"There has been a bit of soul searching. You wonder if you made the right decision and we shall never know until the season starts. But, nevertheless, it is business in the end I am afraid. We have responsibilities as a company.

"It seems crazy really, but the more the money the players cost, the more the television companies appear to be able to contribute that little bit more too."

United have remained silent over Ronaldo's departure until now but as their fans become reconciled to life without him, Sir Bobby urged them to show faith in the man who has made them the dominant force in the English game.

Sir Bobby added: "Alex Ferguson is a great judge of a player. He is very decisive and that is why he's been a major success."

Sir Bobby also asked the fans to respect Ronaldo's decision.

He added: "Ronaldo leaves us because as a young boy he always dreamed of playing for Real. So if he leaves us, it is with our blessing. We are grateful he has scored goals, that he played well, that he contributed to the fame of Manchester United and he goes with our best wishes."

Ronaldo's imminent departure is proof of the effect Real's cash - a staggering pounds 150m loaned to them by two Spanish banks - has had.

United have targeted Lyon striker Karim Benzema and Aulas, president of the French club, made it clear he would sell - but only if they are offered a big chunk of the Ronaldo bounty.

Aulas said: "Benzema said he wanted to stay at Lyon another year. But I think Ronaldo and Kaka also imagined they would be staying at their clubs.

"There is a tsunami called Real Madrid which leads to side reactions from Chelsea, Manchester City the next day ..and Manchester United the day afterwards. So it is difficult to say Benzema is not transferable.

"Obviously we want to keep him and it is still more likely he will be at Lyon next year than not. But I won't hide the fact that things can change."

What has changed is the relative financial strengths of the Premier League and La Liga.

Where United and Chelsea were the biggest spenders, with City threatening to overtake them, it now seems Real and Barcelona - who lead the race to land David Villa and Franck Ribery - are in the box seat.

The rise in the top rate of UK tax to 50 per cent, plus the depreciation of sterling against the euro, are partial reasons but Chelsea's assistant manager Ray Wilkins suggests that foreign players remain fearful of English football's physical intensity.

Wilkins asked: "Are some players taking the slightly softer option in going to Real and not taking up the challenge elsewhere?"There is a tsunami called Real Madrid which leads to side reactions from Chelsea and Man City the next day.. and Man Utd the day afterwards LYON CHIEF Ronaldo a young physical

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HOT NEWS Ronaldo relaxing in LA while Charlton (below) toasts the move in China