Ronaldo said he would be going back to Manchester in two days' time where he would have a minor operation to cure a foot injury and also have his first face-to-face meeting with Ferguson about his plans. It is believed he wants to try to gain the manager's blessing for the move, but it now seems he will be told he is going nowhere.
"I haven't talked to Alex Ferguson yet but now we will talk," he said. "It would be very difficult to leave but it could be good for both [of us]."
Asked if there had been an offer from Real, Ronaldo said: "I think so. Everyone knows what I want."
But Real, who were unsuccessfully reported to FIFA by United over what Ferguson raged was an illegal approach for his player, are now being more cautious.
"We would willingly reach an agreement with Manchester United if it is possible; that is to say, if they want to sell and if the price was affordable," said Real's director general of the presidency, Miguel Angel Arroyo.
