Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale at any
price, according to the club's chief executive David Gill.
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid but Gill
told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek that a £35m bid would be "turned
down straightaway".
Gill added: "There has been no offer. Ronaldo signed a new contract
in 2005 to stay with us until 2010.
"He is clearly someone we want to stay and we will make sure that
he does."
Gill underlined that United's strategy is to strengthen their
squad, not to sell any of their best players.
He stated: "The big clubs may talk in the papers but they fully
understand our position. They know we are not a selling club of our
prize assets so there is no way that will be sanctioned.
"As I think Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said on many
occasions, football clubs aren't banks - we are there to provide
top-class entertainment and put out a top side.
"There is no point having £35m, £40m or £45m if we can't replace
that talent. At 21, Ronaldo has had a great season and we believe
the best is yet to come."
Gill said any offer would have to go to the club's owners, the
Glazer family, for consideration - but is adamant it would be
rejected.
"If I put it to them it would be a very short call," he explained.
"If the manager says 'no sale' then they go along with it without a
doubt.
"They are fully in support and they fully understand sport. They
want to invest in talent, they don't want to sell our top
talent."
Gill admitted it is unlikely that United will capture Bayern Munich
midfielder Owen Hargreaves during the January transfer
window.
United made a fresh offer for the 25-year-old England international
earlier this month but, according to reports from Germany, Bayern
will not let him leave until the summer.
Gill said: "There are three days to go until the end of the
transfer window so that is a fairly sensible conclusion.
"We are interested in the player but Bayern are not willing to sell
him so we have to leave it at that."
Gill also played down the possibility of veteran striker Henrik
Larsson staying at Old Trafford on a permanent basis - but did not
rule out extending the 35-year-old's loan deal from
Helsingborgs.
"Henrik played for Barcelona and went back to Helsingborgs for
family and other reasons, so I would have thought that is extremely
unlikely," Gill explained.
"He is due to go back in the middle of March and we haven't really
discussed that yet as we are focusing on the next few weeks and we
will see what happens.
"I think it is a bit early. You can never say never and we will go
through that nearer the time with Henrik and the club.
"I know for a fact Alex, Carlos Queiroz and all the players are
very impressed with him in terms of what he can do, his attitude
and how he has fitted in and we want great players at the
club."
Ferguson is expected to recall Ronaldo and striker Louis Saha into
his squad to face Watford on Wednesday.
Both players missed Saturday's FA Cup fourth round win over
Portsmouth on Saturday.
"Cristiano played in the third-placed play-off for Portugal at the
World Cup in Germany and he has been playing for us all season,"
Ferguson said.
"We have been looking at ways to preserve the players and felt this
was a great time to give him a week's holiday. He has enjoyed it
and hopefully we will get the benefit of it in the weeks
ahead.
"Louis got a kick on the back of the knee in training. It is
nothing really, just bruising. He will be okay for
Wednesday."