Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United continues to be the subject of heated debate after Marca published that he has told Real Madrid that he would love to play for them next season.

The topic has clearly riled Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson who said that anyone that asked him about the matter was an idiot after a Spanish reporter sought his reaction in Moscow.

According to the Madrid-based daily sports paper, Ronaldo has told Madrid, "yes, I want to" when asked whether he could be tempted to leave Old Trafford for the Bernabéu.

The report states that authorised club sources leaked the information and that president Ramon Calderon's dream is closer to becoming a reality.

United are clearly unhappy with Madrid and their use of the media to try and unsettle Ronaldo and the latest twist could well see the English giants lodge an official complaint with Uefa and Fifa.

Calderon promised to sign Cesc Fabregas and Kaka in his pre-election manifesto two years ago along with Arjen Robben and the Dutchman is the only player he has been able to land.

With Fabregas and Kaka now out of reach, Los Merengues are continuing to try and persuade Ronaldo to join them, but appear to be heading in the same direction as they did with the other two.

Under the previous president, Florentino Perez, Madrid managed to use the tactic of forcible negotiation to sign Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian striker Ronaldo after long and drawn-out transfer sagas and Calderon is hoping that he could achieve the same outcome.

skysports.com