They didn't have to sell Ronaldo. He wanted out and had agreed contractually with Real Madrid. It was then up to Real and United to agree upon the terms.
Ronaldo received 10% or 8 million pounds as part of the transfer fee and receives around 180,000 pounds per week (before incentives) playing for Real. What's scary is the fact the he isn't Real Madrid's highest earner. Kaka is.
Manchester United would have been stupid not to sell him at that price, given it had been well documented he and Ferguson didn't see eye to eye. A world record transfer fee of 80 million pounds can buy off whatever debt you may have, as everyone knows Manchester United isn't exactly a poor sister.
Now regarding salary caps or ceilings, I like them. They allow teams the ability to compete, rather than a landscape dominated by a consistent few. That doesn't necessarily mean it will eventuate that way, as you see in the NBA, NHL, NFL and other domestic competitions around the world.
If they got 80 million in one go then yes, but they don't. They will get the 80 millions split, over 5 years I believe. So whilst they can bank on the revenue coming in with their background financial position they struggle to get the
banks to allow players to be bought based on that future income.
Fact is, he wanted to go, and they needed the money but the money didn't go to Ferguson to spend on players. It went to service the debt used to buy the club and that is what angers the fans so much, as that has never happened in the past.
Last season they won the league, and posted a strong profits because of it but once they then paid the loans and more importantly the interest on the loans their actual profits were minimal. Therefore there was no money in the bank to compete in the transfer market. Anybody who thinks an unknown and untested winger for Wigan, and Mr Sicknote himself were Ferguson's real transfer targets is kidding themselves.
The interest on these loans has now gone up, and their probability of winning the league now Ronaldo is away has possibly, if not actually, been reduced. The only reason I would say not definitely is the fact that the other big four clubs have failed to strengthen in any way. The less said completely about Liverpool's situation the better but after last nights result should they not get out of their CL group which is a real possibility I believe Torres will be sold in Jan.
The collective debt of EPL clubs now runs into the billions of pounds. Man Utd may not appear on the surface to be a poor sister but when you dig, the cupboard is pretty much bare.
The sooner the UEFA / FIFA/ EU force a salary cap on football the better imo