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The Blues opening game will not be any easier just because the Portuguese superstar won't be playing...
Birmingham City begin their return to the Premier League with a trip to Old Trafford to face champions Manchester United, and Blues manager Alex McLeish thinks that the suggestion that the Red Devils will somehow be an easier proposition just because Cristiano Ronaldo no longer plays for them is wrong.

The United manager still has some fine players at his disposal and McLeish is foresees a situation where some other great names will step up in the Portuguese player's absence.

"People like Wayne Rooney will, as Sir Alex says, adapt within the system a little bit," he explained to Sky Sports News.

"The guys like Wayne Rooney will flourish, I'm sure that they will. Michael Owen looks as if he's had a good pre-season behind him and they've got so many other fantastic players there."

One other forward McLeish expects to see raise the level of his displays this season is enigmatic Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, a man who may feel that this will be the season to answer the doubters and prove his ability at the highest level.

The Birmingham boss is backing the player to do just that and show he is truly worthy of his place at Old Trafford.

"I'm sure we'll see a Berbatov who will be worthy of wearing the Man Utd jersey this season," he added. "I wasn't one of his critics last year, but I know there's more to come from the guy.

"And he will prove a superb player for them this season."