Fergie: We must act to keep ace Ronaldo

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 2, 2008 | by SIMON MULLOCK

SIR ALEX FERGUSON believes Manchester United can bring an emphatic end to Real Madrid's pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo by making the Portuguese star the highest-paid player in football.

Fer guson insisted throughout the summer that the 23-year-old's head had been turned towards the Bernabeu by euros rather than European Cups.

Ronaldo, the newly crowed World Footballer of the Year, wants a salary to match his status.

And while United refused to budge from their stance that their No 7 should honour the five year contract worth EUR180,000 a week he signed in April 2007 as Madrid tried everything to get him, Ferguson feels chief executive David Gill will have to revisit the negotiating table at the end of the season to keep the Spaniards at bay.

Fergie said: "There's no doubt next summer will be a key element of Ronaldo's situation. He'll have three years left on his contract then. It's comfortable enough, but perhaps we should look at it."

When asked whether United fear the prospect of Ronaldo buying out the final two years of his contract for around EUR18million in the summer of 2010, the United manager added: "I think the big clubs would shy away from that.

"Nobody has ever done that before because they know it could happen to them, so I don't think it will be an issue."

FIFA regulations guard against players being offered inducements by clubs to break contracts. United made an official complaint against the Spaniards for their conduct in trying to lure Ronaldo away from Old Trafford earlier this year - only for FIFA to fail to act.

Ferguson, whose team go to Celtic on Wednesday in the latest stage of their Champions League defence, feels the Spanish champions will stop at nothing to sign Ronaldo.

And at the end of a week when he was branded "senile" by Madrid president Ramon Calderon, the United boss fired a riposte straight from the lip to prove he hasn't lost his marbles.

Ferguson said: "Some of Calderon's comments were ridiculous.

"There is a complete arrogance about how that club conducts itself and that's what made me even more delighted that Ronaldo decided to stay with us.

"There is no question of Ronaldo leaving now, absolutely no question.

"I don't give two monkeys about whether the rift with Real Madrid can be healed. We have the player we want and they don't have anyone who comes close to Ronaldo.

"Calderon promised everyone that he would deliver Cristiano. He promised so much to get the lad, but he didn't. He's still at Manchester United and he's not going anywhere."

Ferguson added: "Real will be back again. They do it all the time. But we are ready for them now.

"We complained to FIFA last year and they said there wasn't enough evidence.

"Well, we have enough ammunition ready this time.

"We won't use the big gun at the moment - but we'll get the Gatling gun out when they come back in January!"

Celtic have lost five of their last six Champions League games.

Celtic are the only team in this season's Champions League without a goal.

Celtic have failed to win their last two games at home in the competition after winning six of their previous seven.

Manchester Utd are unbeaten in the competition since May 2007 - a run of 16 games without a defeat.

The Red Devils have only conceded one goal in their last nine Champions League games.

They have never failed to score in their last six away games, winning four times and drawing twice.

Manchester Utd have only lost once in the Champions League against a Scottish team. Celtic were the victors in November 2006 at Celtic Park (1-0).