Manchester United FC

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Calderon cools Ronaldo spat

19 Dec 2008 - 16:24:56

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Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has attempted to calm the latest spat between his club and Manchester United over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real came close to prising the Portugal ace away from Old Trafford last summer, before Calderon finally accepted defeat in his pursuit of the winger.

However, Real director Pedro Trapote reopened old wounds by suggesting that a deal was in place to take Ronaldo to the Bernabeu next summer, prompting an angry response from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

He fumed: "Do you think I would enter into a contract with that mob? No chance. I would not sell them a virus.

"That is a no by the way. There is no agreement whatsoever between the clubs."

That statement caused Calderon to tell his club's official website: "Manchester United did not accept the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid this summer. From this moment Real Madrid focused on other objectives.

"It is absolutely false that there exists any agreement with Manchester United about this business, of which I am tired. The matter is totally dead and as such I don't want to talk about it anymore.

"Our club's code of conduct does not include insults, contempt, or a lack of respect to our opponents. Maybe for this reason Real Madrid are respected in all corners of the world.

"It is sad that a professional with the career of Mr Ferguson can make declarations like these.

"Despite that, Real Madrid will never respond with a lack of respect to Manchester United, to any of their directors, nor of course to their fans, for whom everyone has the greatest of respect."