Gill: Ronaldo stays

Chief executive David Gill insists he has had no need to speak to Cristiano Ronaldo about his future at Manchester United and has reiterated the winger is not for sale.

Ronaldo’s future is consistently coming under the spotlight with Real Madrid linked to a move for the Portuguese.

However, Gill insists he has not spoken to the world player of the year as he is, and will remain, a Red Devils player.

Gill told the BBC: “We’ve never had that discussion. There’s absolutely no point in having that discussion.

“We made it clear last year he’s on a long-term contract with us and it’s never come up.

“He’s been fantastic both on and off the pitch throughout, he’s supported us in what we want to do commercially and he’s been a model professional.

“He is not for sale. He’s a great player and he’s part of our club.”

Ronaldo was part of the United team that yesterday claimed its 11th Premier League title, and their third in a row, while next week the 24-year-old will appear in his second Champions League final when Barcelona are the opponents in Rome.

Gill believes such continuous success would make the Old Trafford club far more alluring than Real Madrid should they start making noises again this summer, as he expects them to.

“I’m sure the Spanish press will start rumours and start that whole process going again,” Gill continued.

“There’s a (presidential) election as we know at Real Madrid and we’ve seen it all before with many of our players over the years since I’ve been with the club, and that will happen.

“But we’re not prepared to use the papers in that way at Manchester United and I think we’ve got to be confident that Cristiano will stay.

“He’s had an excellent season, he didn’t score as many goals as last year but nonetheless is the top scorer in the Premier League, he is a fantastic player.

“All we know is you just have to see our dressing room after the game yesterday, after we win a trophy.

“Footballers want to win things and I think any footballer would recognise he has much more chance of winning things, certainly in the short to medium term, at Manchester United than Real Madrid.”

Carlos Tevez has replaced Ronaldo recently in the spotlight with his future at Old Trafford up in the air.

When asked whether the Argentinian staying in the north west was linked to whether Ronaldo leaves, Gill insisted: “No, not at all.”