Manchester United's hopes of fending off Real Madrid's interest in Cristiano Ronaldo have been dealt a further blow after UEFA president Michel Platini said the Spanish side's actions were "normal".

United have already had an official complaint against Real rejected by FIFA and now Platini has said the Madrid club's public wooing of the Portuguese players is part and parcel of the game.

Platini told a news conference in Vienna: "Every club in the world would like to have Ronaldo.

"It's part of the system we have today. Players move from club to club and I can understand why Real Madrid want him.

"They had di Stefano and Puskas in the past, and as Ronaldo is considered one of the best or the best player in the world it's normal.

"If the club has the finances they can do it, if they don't have the money they can't."

Ronaldo's team-mate Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, expects the winger to report for pre-season training with United but is in the dark over his long-term plans.

The Portugal winger was the star of United's Premier League and Champions League-winning campaign last season and defender Ferdinand does not want him to leave.

The England international said: "We'd love him to be with us next season. Whatever happens is going to happen.

"We're like the fans, we pick up the papers and read what is going on. We know as much as anyone else.

"We will be going to pre-season and I am sure Ronaldo will be there and we will be going with the aim of working hard together and starting off a good new season."