Ruud van Nistelrooy has warned his former club Manchester United they will be powerless to prevent Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Real Madrid if the Portuguese winger decides to swap Old Trafford for the Santiago Bernabeu.
Tipped off by strategic leaks from Madrid, the Spanish press have spent the last two days insisting the club are ready to make a huge bid for Ronaldo. Even the insistence of Alex Ferguson's number two Carlos Queiroz that Ronaldo will stay has not dampened speculation, with the pro-Real Madrid sports daily AS claiming the club would offer more than €50 million.
Ronaldo's former team-mate, now at Real Madrid, last night claimed that if the 21-year-old decides to depart, United will not be able to stop him. "United won't give up Ronaldo easily, definitely not. He is, of course, massive for the future of Manchester United and it is important for them that he stays there," van Nistelrooy said. "I think it will be difficult to get him but it is also in the player's hands. If he is interested in a move things could happen.
"(Transfers are) always in the player's hands. If the player is aware of the situation and doesn't want to stay any more and doesn't commit himself then anything can happen. That will make a massive impact on the situation. That's what you have to know if you want to have a clear idea of whether it is possible or not."
He added: "Ronaldo is a fantastic player. This is his best season so far at Manchester United. He's scoring a lot of goals and playing very well. He is still very young but he already has a lot of experience - he's played in the World Cup and the European Championship, as well as lots of big games in the Premiership and the Champions League. Physically and technically, he has everything. It is a situation for Real Madrid and Manchester United to sort out. Great players are always welcome."
If the deal does go through Real Madrid are likely to be spared the confusion of having two Ronaldos. Their Brazilian version will become a Milan player if he passes medicals early next week after the Italian club reportedly agreed a €6 million fee for the 30-year-old striker.
Ronaldo played for Milan's city rivals Internazionale between 1997 and 2002. Ronaldo left Inter in 2002 shortly after inspiring Brazil to World Cup glory. Much of his time there had been blighted with injury but he blamed poor relations with then Inter coach Hector Cuper for his decision to move to Madrid.
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