Real insist they are 'spectators' in Ronaldo saga

Real Madrid's position as "passive spectators" in the Cristiano Ronaldo saga is likely to come under strain as Manchester United refuse to entertain any prospect of selling him.

It was expected the 23-year-old would be back in Manchester this week for ankle surgery. Instead, he has been on holiday in Sardinia. The move has the backing of United medical staff, who are not convinced Ronaldo needs to go under the knife and will reassess the situation when he returns to training on 14 July.

Real officials have hinted at a formal announcement confirming Ronaldo's arrival at the beginning of next month, but their president, Ramon Calderon, said yesterday: "We are in this situation as passive spectators. I suppose [United] think we have intervened in some way but it is not like that and that is the truth.

"It is something between the player and Manchester United. If the player continues to insist that he wants to come and if United consider letting him go, then we will ask."

United's chief executive, David Gill, is likely to reinforce the club's unwillingness to sell when he sees Calderon at a meeting of Europe's leading clubs on 7 July. So, unless Ronaldo hands in a transfer request, Real will be left trying to force the issue themselves.

"His declarations have provoked a lot of expectation," Calderon said of the Madeira-born player. "If it was me, it would make me proud that the big clubs were asking about our players. But it is not up to the player, or Madrid. Manchester do not want to sell him. It seems that Ronaldo has become a bit of a hot potato," he added.

Calderon's comments about "big" clubs may cause some irritation among the Old Trafford hierarchy as they are the European champions, something Real have not been since the 2001-02 season.

However, in admitting that Real will not be held to ransom over Ronaldo, Calderon has also revealed an element of weakness, particularly as United, in the sales of David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy, came under fire for selling to Madrid too cheaply.

"It seems a lot of money to me," Calderon said. "But it is too soon when we have not even started talking to United."