Fergie to shun Ronaldo gossip

Date published: 19 December 2008

SIR Alex Ferguson has vowed to ignore whatever noises come out of Real Madrid over the next few months.

The Manchester United boss heard news that in a leaked conversation, a Real Madrid director had claimed a deal had been done to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Ferguson said: “If we worry about what Real Madrid have to say we are not concentrating on our own publicity and the programme of difficult games we have got coming up.”

Not that Ferguson could resist a put–down of Real when asked whether the stories of a transfer being concluded were true.

“Do you think I would enter into a contract with that mob?” he said.

“No chance. I would not sell them a virus. That is a ‘no’ by the way. There is no agreement whatsoever between the clubs.”

Ferguson’s outspoken comments added a fascinating sub–plot to today’s Champions League draw, with Real one of five potential knock–out round opponents for the Old Trafford outfit.

The pairings will certainly draw attention away from a Club World Cup final meeting with LDU Quito following United’s spectacular 5-3 semi–final win over J League side Gamba Osaka. See Page 35.