Man Utd laugh-off latest Real-Ronaldo link
Manchester United have described latest reports claiming that a
move by Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid is imminent as 'utter
nonsense' and insisted that the Portuguese winger is not for
sale.
Ronaldo is expected to undergo surgery on an ankle early next
week after he was seen by a specialist today and may miss the start
of the new season.
United, meanwhile, have been infuriated by a report today
claiming that the 23-year-old will sign for Real within a matter of
days.
A club spokesman said: 'It is utter nonsense and totally
laughable. Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale.'
Despite Ronaldo's desire to move and a huge fee of around
£70million being on offer, United chiefs believe selling the player
would cause huge disruption to the club.
Apart from the effect on the team's playing style and formation,
it would also send a signal that United are in some way a lesser
team than Real.
The Glazer family bought United because they viewed it as the
biggest club in the world so they cannot afford to been seen as
weaker than Real Madrid, one of their biggest European rivals, or
in thrall to their star player.
The message chief executive David Gill has given to the Glazers
is that if they stand firm on Ronaldo and neither sell him nor give
him another big new contract then it will strike a major blow
against player-power and have long-term future benefits for the
club.
There is no real financial incentive to the Glazers either - the
club's profits are already covering their debt repayments easily so
there is no requirement to raise new capital.
If they considered selling him, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
would argue that he would need all the £70million fee as transfer
funds to replace his most valuable player.
Confirmation of Ronaldo's operation comes after a specialist
echoed the view of medical staff from both United and the
Portuguese FA that the ankle injury needs surgery.
He could be out for up to six weeks, and could be out for the
start of the season.
United leave for their tour of South Africa on July 18 but
Ronaldo was not going on the trip anyway.
