United are expected to make an attempt at making Ronaldo stay at United this week. From the Grauniad.
David Gill, the Manchester United chief executive, will attempt to resolve the future of Cristiano Ronaldo by holding talks with the Portugal winger's agent, Jorge Mendes, before Sir Alex Ferguson's side depart for their pre-season tour of South Africa on Thursday.
United are facing an uphill battle to keep Ronaldo after the 21-year-old reiterated his desire to leave the club for La Liga after playing in Portugal's 3-1 defeat against Germany in the World Cup third-place play-off in Stuttgart on Saturday.
Although earlier comments by Ronaldo relating to a possible move to Real Madrid were dismissed by United, it would appear he has already made up his mind given his latest statement that the World Cup quarter-final confrontation with his club-mate Wayne Rooney had made it impossible for him to return to
Ronaldo said: "I'm not going to stay at Manchester United. After what happened with Rooney I can't remain there. In a couple of days I will have my future sorted out. I don't want to stay in
United have not conceded defeat in their attempts to hold on to Ronaldo, however, and Ferguson's Portuguese assistant, Carlos Queiroz, may yet be asked to fly to Portugal to meet the player and assess his true intentions. Queiroz and Ronaldo have forged a close relationship at Old Trafford and, with four years still remaining on his contract, the former Sporting Lisbon youngster will expect nothing less than a concerted effort by United to keep him at the club.
United are unconcerned by the abuse he is likely to be subjected to by opposition supporters next season, should he return to