Ronaldo`s Message to Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedy sent a message to Real Madrid to promise that he will tell Manchester United his transfer to Spain is "non-negotiable".

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Ronaldo's exact message to Madrid was as follows: "It's OK. Next week, I'll fix everything. I'll go to Manchester and tell them my only desire is to play for Real Madrid and that the decision is non-negotiable."

Sir Alex Ferguson has publicly stated Ronaldo will not be leaving United but he could be put in a very difficult position if Ronaldo returns to Manchester demanding a transfer.

AS claims Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes was under strict instructions to tell Real his client remains determined to join them.

Reports suggest next Tuesday is the day that Ronaldo will return and confront Ferguson.

Fergie Still Looking For Queroz Replacement

Manchester United may have signed up Carlos Tevez and look like hanging on to Cristiano Ronaldo but Sir Alex Ferguson's plans for the new season are still a long way from being settled – and the priority is replacing assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, who has left a huge hole by taking charge of Portugal.

The new coach at United must devise strategies in accordance with Ferguson's football philosophy. He will have to manage, educate and organise the rest of the coaches and he must be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of opponents to adjust tactics where necessary.

The Mind-Games Begin

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is not expecting to see Chelsea come on leaps and bounds this coming season.

The Blues pushed The Red Devils all the way for the Premier League title last season with the trophy only decided on a dramatic final day of the campaign.

However, with many of Chelsea's stars into their 30s, Ferguson fails to see how Luiz Felipe Scolari's side will be able to offer much more than they did last time around.

Pele believes Ronaldo should stay loyal to United

Pele insists Cristiano Ronaldo should forget about moving to Real Madrid and honour his Manchester United contract.

The Brazil legend also dismissed Fifa president Sepp Blatter's claim that there is "modern slavery" in football and Ronaldo should be free to move.

Pele, in Stoke for a charity match for the Gordon Banks Foundation, said: "You are a slave if you work without a contract or you don't get paid.

"If you have a contract then in any job you have to finish the contract."

More Blatter Meddling - Slavery Comment

In an interview with Sky Sports the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter taked about Ronaldo`s wish to move to Real Madrid.

Blatter said that too many clubs were trying to tie players up in long-term contracts to prevent them moving to other teams. "I think in football there is too much modern slavery, transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere," Blatter said. "And we are trying now to intervene in such cases."

What a joke! There aren`t many `slaves` who earn in just one week what most people in the UK take 4 or 5 years to earn.

Ankle Op for Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is to have ankle surgery next week after being told by a Manchester United-appointed specialist that an operation is required to resolve his longstanding injury.

The 23-year-old forward was examined in Portugal yesterday by a specialist flown out by the club to assess the damage to his right ankle.

Ronaldo to have ankle surgery

Medical staff from the Portugal FA say that Cristiano Ronaldo will undergo surgery on his right ankle in the next two to three days.

However, Manchester United insist that the decision on whether the winger will have an operation is still to be made. "Procedures are in place to seek specialist advice, in order to finalise the treatment plan as soon as possible," a club statement said.

United announced yesterday that they were delaying a decision on surgery as they sought further advice on the injury that Ronaldo reported in the aftermath of Portugal's Euro 2008 exit. "Manchester United medical staff met with the medical team from the Portuguese FA and Cristiano Ronaldo in Lisbon today regarding the ongoing treatment of his injured right ankle," the statement said.