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Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Cristiano Ronaldo-fanciers Madrid that players only leave Manchester United when it suits the club, and not the other way around. Furthermore, he feels the Spanish giants lack ‘morals’ when it comes to player recruitment…
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has stepped up his verbal war with Cristiano Ronaldo-chasing Real Madrid, accusing them of transfer market ‘nonsense’.

He is less than impressed with the public manner in which Real coach Bernd Schuster and club president Ramon Calderon have gone about pursuing the free-scoring winger.


“They think they can ride roughshod over everyone but they won’t do it with us,” Sir Alex ranted. “Real Madrid have no moral issues at all.

“In terms of great clubs, Barcelona have far better morality than Real Madrid will ever have.

“Do you not think we have had many expressions of interest about our players from big clubs in Europe?

“Real Madrid are not the only club interested in Ronaldo, but the others are not saying so. They don’t get into this nonsense.”

In an explicit blast against two keys figures at Madrid - not to mention a capital-based sports daily - he also told Sky Sports, “I read last night that Calderon’s talking, Schuster’s talking and they use this Marca [newspaper] as their vehicle to unsettle players.”

When We Want To

Indeed, Fergie insists that Real Madrid would be better off forgetting about Ronaldo.

The Scot, the United board and the player himself have all insisted the Old Trafford faithful will see the Portuguese wearing the No.7 shirt next term. Now, Champions League winner Ferguson insists that the Red Devils only ever sell players on their own terms.

“When you want to keep someone you work hard to do it,” he said. “That is a fact not lost on Manchester United but it is a fact not lost on Real Madrid either.

“We sold them Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham because we wanted to.”

Squad

Van Nistelrooy and Beckham eventually graced the Bernabéu, with some citing the duo as examples of Madrid’s ability to lure Premiership talent. However, Fergie remains bullish about keeping his double-winning side in tact.

“We will not be moving anyone out,” Ferguson insisted, although Gerard Pique if Barcelona-bound and Louis Saha is also tipped to leave.

“It is not something I have even thought about.

“I just need to look at the squad and know I have enough cover for next season as we have three extra games - one in the Super Cup and two in the World Club Championship - to cope with.”

Duncan Robertson, Goal.com

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