United unimpressed by Real's Ronaldo claims

Manchester United believe Real Madrid presidential candidate Juan Miguel Villar Mir’s claim he can bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu is nothing more than electioneering.

United have fiercely denied any contact with Villar Mir or his representatives over the availability of the Portugal winger, who has apparently expressed a desire to join the Spanish giants.

The Old Trafford club insist they have no intention of selling one of their star players, who has only recently signed a four-year contract extension, and they have reacted angrily to suggestions they may be prepared to do so.

“(We) are astonished with Juan Miguel Villar Mir’s comments,” said a senior club spokesman.

“There has been no contact between Manchester United and Villar Mir’s 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.”

United have long since grown used to their players becoming pawns in Spanish power battles.

David Beckham was repeatedly named as Joan Laporta’s number one target when he was bidding to take control at Barcelona in 2003.

The key difference at that time was the knowledge that Beckham’s relationship with United boss Alex Ferguson had collapsed – and in the end, United agreed a sale to Barca on condition Laporta won the election, only for the player to elect to join Madrid instead.

In Ronaldo’s case, Villar Mir appears to be looking to exploit the attraction life in the Spanish capital could have over Manchester for a player brought up in the Madeira sunshine.

Should he prove successful in Sunday’s election, as is entirely possible, a firm bid cannot be ruled out.

United initially reacted in a relaxed manner to comments attributed to Ronaldo, stating he had already held interim discussions with Villar Mir and was interested in a move to the Bernabeu.

However, the Old Trafford club were then staggered to discover Mir had not only backed up the 21-year-old’s version of events but also stated talks between his officials and United had been held to clear the path towards a permanent deal.

“Manchester United know that we are talking with him,” he said.

“We have gone in ‘through the front door’.”

Mir’s allegation was tantamount to revealing an intention by the Red Devils to sell one of the cornerstones of Alex Ferguson’s current rebuilding work, just months into a contract extension which is due to run until 2010.

Ronaldo’s own apparent comments, reported in Spanish paper Marca which has close links to Madrid, do not suggest it will be possible for United – whose proposed pre-season friendly with Real now seems unlikely to materialise – to dismiss it completely out of hand.

“I have told my agent that I would like to leave,” said Ronaldo, who cost United £12m when they bought him from Sporting Lisbon as a raw teenager in 2003.

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

“I have gone with Villar Mir’s project because it is serious and follows correct procedures.

“They have explained to me their plans, and the next step is they will talk to Manchester United to open negotiations.

“Other candidates wanted me to sign a document which is not legal. Villar Mir has promised me he will talk to the club, and all we have done is talk through an agent.”

Ferguson will no doubt wish to speak with Ronaldo about the comments and his intentions, although contact may be difficult before Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final clash with England in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday.

It is hardly the best back-drop for the Scot’s return to United’s Carrington training base on Monday for the start of pre-season preparations for players not involved in Germany.

Having targeted United’s midfield as an area where reinforcement is required, Ferguson has yet to bring in any new blood.

A deal to sign Tottenham’s Michael Carrick seems certain to be concluded once England’s World Cup bid is over.

But Lyon’s Mahamadou Diarra is yet to be convinced about the merits of life at Old Trafford, while Ferguson appears to be facing a fight with cash-rich Chelsea for £20m-rated Spain striker Fernando Torres.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy seemingly certain to leave following an end-of-season bust-up with his manager, Ferguson has plenty of work to do before his side face Fulham in their opening Premiership game on August 19.