Calderon: No Cristiano conflict

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has attempted to soothe relations with Manchester United over their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting: “We are not going to start a conflict”.

Earlier this week, United threatened to report Madrid to FIFA over persistent comments emerging from the Spanish capital about their interest in the Portuguese talisman.

However Calderon – to whom quotes about Ronaldo have been attributed regularly over the last two years – has moved to calm United’s anger.

“You can’t buy what the owner doesn’t want to sell,” he told Sky Sports News.

He is also quoted as saying on skysports.com: “We have not interfered with Manchester United’s contract agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We’re sorry that Manchester United – a club with which we have an excellent relationship – is annoyed with us because Real Madrid have nothing to do with that aspect.

“I want to clear this up with him and assure him we are not going to influence any player to break a contractual relationship.

“We are not going to start a conflict.

“If a club doesn’t want to sell a player, why would we insist that they do sell him?”