Ronaldo could miss start of season

Jul 5, 2008 - 5:01 PM By Martyn Ziegler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MANCHESTER, England (Ticker) -- Manchester United may start next season without Cristiano Ronaldo - but the club insists it will not be because the superstar striker is being sold to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo is expected to undergo ankle surgery next week, an operation that likely will sideline the Portuguese winger for six weeks.

Confirmation of Ronaldo's surgery came Saturday after a second opinion from an ankle specialist supported the initial diagnosis of medical staff from both Manchester United and the Portuguese Football Association.

The news came on the day United was forced to downplay fresh reports from Spain that the 23-year-old Ronaldo will sign with Real. The latest report claimed that he will move within a matter of days.

"It is utter nonsense and totally laughable," a Manchester United spokesman told PA SportsTicker. "Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale."

Despite Ronaldo's desire to move and a huge fee of around $139 million being on offer, United chiefs believe selling the superstar would cause huge disruption to the club.

Apart from the effect on the team's playing style and formation, a potential sale of Ronaldo also would send a signal that United is in some way a lesser team than Real.

The Glazer family bought United because they viewed it as the biggest club in the world. So they cannot afford to been seen as weaker than Real Madrid, one of their biggest European rivals.

The message chief executive David Gill has given to the Glazers is that if United stands firm on Ronaldo and neither sells him nor gives him another big new contract, it will strike a major blow against player-power and have long-term future benefits for the club.

There is no real financial incentive to the Glazers either - the club's profits are already covering their debt repayments easily, so there is no requirement to raise new capital.

If they considered selling Ronaldo, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would argue he would need all the $139 million fee as transfer funds to replace his most valuable player.

The reigning two-time Premier League MVP, Ronaldo scored 31 goals in league play last season and led United to the league championship and the Champions League title.