Manchester United have warned that they will not be
pressured into offering Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo a new
contract - and a hefty pay rise - to persuade him to stay at Old
Trafford. That will be the uncompromising message to the £120,000-a
week winger when he meets United officials after his Euro 2008
duties are completed.
A United insider said: 'Ronaldo's head may have been turned by
reports of all the money he could be offered by Real Madrid, but he
isn't exactly on peanuts at United. And he won't be getting a penny
more.'
Contrary to reports that Sir Alex Ferguson wants the club to
make Ronaldo an offer he cannot refuse to stop him joining the
Madrid giants, the United manager is in total agreement with the
hard-line stance the club are prepared to take over the player.
They will insist that he adheres to the five-year contract he
signed last year - and the pay that comes with it.
Sources close to United claim much of the speculation about a
Ronaldo move to Real has been driven by reports placed in the
Spanish media by the club themselves and not by the 23-year-old
double footballer of the year.
Real appeared to be up to their tricks again yesterday when the
Spanish newspaper Marca, well known for their close relationship
with the club, reported that Ronaldo's advisers were blaming
Ferguson's infamous "he can rot in the stands' outburst for the
player's reluctance to return to United.
Although United are confident that Ronaldo will start next
season in Ferguson's squad, there is disappointment within the
double Premier League and European champions that the winger, who
is likely to be rested for Portugal's final European Championship
group game against Switzerland today, has not declared his outright
loyalty to Old Trafford.
'It's a familiar game that Real Madrid are playing but Cristiano
could end it by coming out and saying he's staying,' said the
United insider.
United officials feel that, having recently tied down the likes
of Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick on long-term
contracts, it would be unfair to undermine those deals by yielding
to pressure from Ronaldo or his representatives. United also point
out that the team are heading for another exciting season with the
World Club championship added to their domestic and European
programme.
"Ronaldo can achieve everything he wants by staying here," added
the Old Trafford source. "We understand that he has ambitions to
play for Real, and no doubt he will fulfil them some time in the
future, but at the moment he is better off where he is."
ha!
this is the kind of decision i want to see
