United chief executive David Gill has made a shocking announcement: Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale.
Speculation about the winger’s future has been rife all summer, with Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon continually releasing statements to the media.
Ronaldo himself has not helped matters, refusing to commit his future to United and stating that he himself does not know where his future lies.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson had yesterday gone on record to say that a move to the Spanish capital would be a ‘mistake’ for Ronaldo, and that Manchester remains the best place for him.
And now Gill has revealed he has told the Spanish giants that the club has no plans to sell their prized asset.
“We made it clear to them [Real Madrid] from day one we wouldn’t welcome a bid, it wouldn’t be accepted and therefore I don’t think there is much point in putting one in,” Gill told Sky Sports News.
“That’s where we are at with the situation.
“Obviously there have been lots of paper talk and a lot of coverage in the media about it and we understand that.
“But the reality of it is we have been very firm from day one. Straight after the Champions League final, if you wind back the clock to say Cristiano is a great player, a great asset of Manchester United, he is on a long-term contract with Manchester United and hence we will keep him at the club.”
