June 20, 2008

CRISTIANO RONALDO last night uttered the words Manchester United have been dreading: I hope to join Real Madrid in the next few days.

Just minutes after Ronaldo and his Portugal team-mates crashed out of Euro 2008, the winger finally broke his silence over his Old Trafford future and left no doubt where his heart lies.

Following the last-eight defeat to Germany, he said: In the next few days there could be news.

The possibilities of me going to Madrid are great but it does not depend on me.

"I know there is a concrete offer on the table, now lets see if we can reach a deal in the next days.

"Everyone knows what I want. I have many desires and in the next days they will become clear.

Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes know Real will table a world-record £80million bid and put enormous pressure on United to accept.

And the next step could be for Ronaldo to go on strike if United refuse to do a deal as revealed in SunSport.

The former Sporting Lisbon winger fanned the flames by describing a move to Real as "a dream, a step forward".

He added: "For me it's a very good opportunity. As Scolari says, this only happens once."

And asked when he decided he wanted to quit Old Trafford, Ronaldo revealed: "Some time ago, before this competition.

"I didn't want to say anything because we were in competition and these are important decisions."

Ronaldo claimed that leaving United would be difficult but added: "I think it could be good for both of us".

United will be enraged by his comments, having already made it clear they have no intention of selling their prize asset.

Their relationship with Madrid has already hit rock bottom.

They lodged a formal complaint to FIFA over the way Real have openly tried to lure Ronaldo to the Spanish capital.

Uniteds position has been the same from the start Ronaldo, 23, signed a five-year contract with them last year and he will remain their player.

Boss Alex Ferguson has always insisted they have no intention of selling him.

And he revealed the clubs owners, the Glazer family, would be willing to let him rot in the stands rather than move to the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo will now undergo an operation after being dumped out of Euro 2008.

He added: I have a small problem with my foot.

Ive been playing with it for three months. Im going to have the operation straightaway.