Reports in Spain today said the winger, expected to undergo surgery on an ankle early next week, will sign for Real within a matter of days.

A United spokesman said: "It is utter nonsense and totally laughable. Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale."

Despite Ronaldo's desire to move and a huge fee of around £70m being on offer, United chiefs believe selling the player would cause huge disruption to the club.

The message chief executive David Gill has given to the Glazer family who own the club is that if they stand firm on Ronaldo and neither sell him nor give him another big new contract then it will strike a major blow against player-power.

Confirmation of Ronaldo's operation comes after a specialist echoed the view of medical staff from both United and the Portuguese FA that the ankle injury needs surgery.

He could be out for up to six weeks, and could be out for the start of the season.