DAVID BECKHAM has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to reject any overtures from Real Madrid and commit to Manchester United with the European champions braced for the footballer of the year to clarify his career plans.
Ronaldo said over the weekend that he would end the uncertainty surrounding his preference for either Old Trafford or the Bernabeu after weeks of sending mixed messages about his intentions. Real Madrid, who have plundered United to sign Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy in recent years, are ready to submit a world-record transfer bid of around £70 million for the Portuguese international.
Yet Beckham, the last number seven to swap United for Real, believes the 23-year-old should remain at the Premier League winners. "I believe he's at the right club now, and a club he should stay at because, as much as Real Madrid are a great team and one of the biggest clubs in the world, he's only just starting at Manchester United," said Beckham, who cost Real some £25 million in 2003 after spending a decade at Old Trafford.
"He's only been there a few years. He's got a lot of people around him who will protect him. As a fan of Manchester United, I hope he stays there, but who knows what will happen."
Ronaldo, fresh from a campaign which yielded 42 goals, has told media in Portugal of his desire to stay at United while leaving his future open in interviews with Spanish newspapers. Real are hopeful they will secure his services after the European Championship - the player is currently with Luiz Felipe Scolari's Portugal squad preparing for the tournament - though there is an acceptance at the Bernabeu that Real will only be able to sign the winger if he forces through his departure from Old Trafford.
Ronaldo has four years to run on a £120,000-a-week contract and United have threatened to report Real to Fifa over their pursuit of the player.
Alex Ferguson has admitted the reigning champions may struggle to retain Ronaldo "in two or three years' time", though further successes in the Champions League could convince him to stay.
Real president Ramon Calderon has refused a request from United to rule out ever making a move for Ronaldo. However, Calderon has conceded he is unlikely to sign the 23-year-old this summer.
Real winger Robinho claims he could be used in a deal. The Brazil international, who has also interested Chelsea, is keen to remain in Madrid but concedes he would have no problem leaving. "There are proposals, yes. One is from Manchester United which would be in exchange for Cristiano Ronaldo and the other is from Chelsea."
Guardian Service
