His goal record was incredible. His fantasy returns almost infeasible to the point of rendering some games a farce. There’s little doubt that Ronaldo’s departure from United’s team sheet and our fantasy football player list leaves a huge chasm in both. So who can Alex Ferguson turn to now to dish out such merciless destruction and, more to the point, how can us fantasy managers look to profit?

You could say it’s too early to assess United’s attacking prowess for the coming season. Two, maybe three players could well be drafted in as a result of the Ronaldo millions and the most popular names being bandied about – Ribery, Benzema, Eto, Villa and Valencia – would all threaten to make a significant impact in fantasy terms.

The first name on that list would take enormous investment on United’s part. Ribery is as near as United are likely to get to ready-made replacement for Ronaldo. A proven performer who can have a substantial influence on the pitch and turn a match with a flash of brilliance. However, Bayern are now on alert and have warned that only a “crazy” offer would convince them to allow the French playmaker to depart.

Lyon’s Benzema is perhaps the more likely target – he offers the kind of attacking versatility that appears to appeal to Ferguson. The kind that the United boss is currently trying to squeeze from Rooney. United are known to have been tracking Benzema for a couple of seasons and, while he’ll still command a substantial fee, it’s likely to be roughly half the amount it will take to prise Ribery from Munich. He could be joined at Old Trafford by Wigan’s Valencia – another player that Ferguson has admired for a good while. Competition for his signature looks minimal and a £10-15 million fee would be enough to see the Ecudorian winger at Old Trafford. However, his record at Wigan in previous seasons suggests that his impact in fantasy terms will be fairly minimal, at least in his first season.

Carlos Tevez is of course another option. He’ll use up £30 million plus of the Ronaldo haul but will offer United a guaranteed return of goals and performances next season – that’s something that Benzema, Valencia and even Ribery cannot bring to the table. United fans will be keen to see this deal pushed through, although the damage caused by the apparent reluctance to seal his future could see Tevez turn his back on Ferguson. It’s starting to look very doubtful. He may even rub a huge salty insult into the wound and sign up with the blue side of Manchester.

There are more unlikely names that could figure in Ferguson’s thinking – Villa’s Young and Agbonlahor, Barcelona’s Eto, Valencia’s Villa, even Madrid’s Robben. There’s already a stream of articles built on world of speculation to consider if you so wish. In my view, Ferguson will stick to the strategy of buying young, developing players as he’s done with Anderson, Nani and Ronaldo himself. It’s a gamble (Anderson and Nani prove that) but if he considers Ribery too expensive and the Tevez deal never materialises, then the options for a proven world class performer who could potentially hit the ground running, look severely limited. That’s not all bad news for us fantasy managers. It’s likely to hand opportunities to players we are already familiar with and see United’s established stars given more significant attacking roles.

From a fantasy perspective we have to look how United will shape up with Ronaldo out of the equation. Will his absence hand more starts to the likes of Nani and Park? Who will now dominate the set-plays – perhaps Carrick or a fit-again Hargreaves? Most significantly, who will Ferguson turn to when it comes to penalty kicks – Berbatov, Rooney and Carrick are surely all in the hat. Once we have these questions answered, we then have to assess how United’s overall pattern of play will change and how this could potentially redistribute the fantasy points scoring next term.

There’s no doubt that Ronaldo provided a unique ingredient. An irreplaceable attacking force. It’s going to take Ferguson and United time to adapt without that catalyst and there must now surely be greater emphasis on the role of Berbatov and Rooney as a result. Both have the makings to be huge fantasy signings next season but it will take 30+ starts and an increased influence on United’s play in the final third to see them fulfil that potential.

Their roles must surely change. Can Ferguson afford to deploy Rooney out wide without Ronaldo’s goals? Can Berbatov continue to come deep and demonstrate a reluctance to get ahead of the play? I can’t see it. I’m expecting something different from these two next season and even if that doesn’t translate into goals and assists, certainly an increased proportion of Man of the Match and Fantasy Premier League bonus points should be heading their way. Whether that’s enough to gamble on early investment remains to be seen. United’s pre-season will offer us clues.

Carrick is another player who now demands increased attention from us. He has remained largely under the radar, despite a fine season, due mainly to a withdrawn role and sporadic points scoring. He did end the season strongly though and is a clear contender for a proportion of set-plays and spot-kicks. The fitness of Hargreaves and the consistency of Anderson are factors but 32+ starts still look assured. If we see evidence of Carrick’s role increasing in the pre-season, then he is surely a shortlist candidate for a mid-price midfield slot.

There’s plenty to consider and there remains a lot of questions unanswered. Let’s face it though, life with Ronaldo in our lineup has long been a fairly predictable, even dull experience. The change is more than welcome. We now need to find a way to exploit what comes out of it.