Fergie & Co To Make Ronaldo Wait

The 23-year-old revealed recently that he had played through last season – during which he amassed some 42 goals from the right side of attack – with a foot injury.

The Portugal forward finally has time to recover following his country’s exit from EURO 2008 last week and will be assessed by the United medical team in the next few days.

But foot injuries are far from the most intriguing of Ronaldo’s revelations, as the two-time PFA Player of the Year has gone public with his desire to sign for Real Madrid this summer.

The Red Devils are aghast at the prospect of losing their prize player and have refused to give to los Merengues’ approaches thus far, despite a potential transfer fee of over ₤70million.

As such, the want-away winger will miss a few familiar and rather important faces when he arrives at Carrington for treatment this week as the big boys at Old Trafford attempt to delay discussions as long as possible.

Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill are currently on their summer holidays and will not cut short their breaks, meaning both Ronaldo and Madrid will have to wait until the beginning of July before any form of negotiation can commence.

Ferguson is desperate to keep hold of the player he signed for ₤12million from Sporting Lisbon five years ago and will speak personally with him upon returning from the South of France.

But los Blancos are confident of landing their man, and president Ramon Calderon said in the Daily Express: “If the kid keeps himself in that strong position, the step he’s taken could be key.”

Mike Maguire