Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid 'wish' sets up summer of strife for Manchester United

Brazilian newspaper Terra, in what was said to be an exclusive interview, reported Ronaldo as saying: "I would like to play for Real Madrid, but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them. However, it does not depend on me."United are adamant they will not let the 23-year-old Ronaldo go.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill insist that, with the backing of the club's owners, the Glazer family, Ronaldo will remain a United player.

Portuguese officials tried to distance Ronaldo from the comments, insisting that he had not given any interviews, but the quotes have raised the stakes in the bitter battle between United and Real for the player.

Ronaldo said before the Champions League final last month that he had ambitions to play in Spain, prompting Ferguson to say United had to win more major trophies to keep the player at Old Trafford.