Cristiano Ronaldo (158)

MANCHESTER UNITED confirmed today they have accepted a world record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

The news is bound to be greeted with some scepticism by United fans who have repeatedly been told no deal had been agreed for the sale of FIFA's World Player of the Year in the face of regular statements from Spain that the former Sporting Lisbon star was bound for the Bernabeu.

However we want to head from Liverpool and Everton fans about what you think this deal means for your clubs and football in general. Let us know your opinion in the comments box at the bottom of this story.

As it now seems a matter of when, rather than if a world record transfer will be completed and Alex Ferguson may wish to explain why he has gone back on his famous comment in December that he would not "sell them a virus".

It is the first time for many years United would have allowed a player to leave they were not happy about losing.

Yet some of their supporters may be pleased that at least another drawn-out transfer saga, such as the one 12 months ago, is not played out in public.

The money could be reinvested in a squad that almost, but not quite proved good enough to win back-to-back Champions League trophies.

In reshaping a squad that looks almost certain to lose Carlos Tevez as well, Ferguson might be able to offer Wayne Rooney a more permanent central striking role.

The name of Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery is bound to crop up as a potential replacement, although the 27-year-old seems hugely overpriced at the £40 figure being bandied about, while Wigan’s Antonio Valencia has also been linked to Old Trafford.