United reject Ronaldo transfer talk

Manchester United have furiously denied claims from Real Madrid presidential candidate Juan Miguel Villar Mir that they have given him permission to talk to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The United winger was today quoted in a Spanish newspaper as saying he would relish a move to Madrid if Villa Mir wins Sunday’s presidential elections at the Bernabeu.

And, at a lunchtime press conference, Villar Mir said today: “Manchester United know that we are talking with him. We have gone in ’through the front door’.”

However, United issued a statement this afternoon denying Villa Mir’s claims.

It read: “Manchester United are astonished with Juan Miguel Villar Mir’s comments. There has been no contact between Manchester United and his election team or Real Madrid, and any suggestion there has been is incorrect.

“Unfortunately these tactics seem to be a common occurrence in elections of this nature. Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a long-term contract with Manchester United which runs until 2010. He will be a Manchester United player next season.”

According to Spanish daily sports newspaper Marca, Ronaldo welcomed an approach by representatives of Villar Mir aimed at persuading him to join the Spanish giants.

The 21-year-old is reported as saying: “I have told my agent that I would like to leave.

“I want to do so in the best way possible. I want to play for Madrid and I dream about it.”