The decision on whether Cristiano Ronaldo will have surgery on his right ankle has still to be made, according to a statement released by Manchester United today.

"Procedures are in place to seek specialist advice, in order to finalise the treatment plan as soon as possible," the statement read.

The Premier League champions said medical staff had met with the medical team from the Portuguese FA and Ronaldo in Lisbon yesterday with regards the ongoing treatment of his injured right ankle.

"As a result, further specialist advice is being sought and an announcement will be made on any action in due course," today's statement added. Ronaldo could go under the knife as early as this weekend.

The meeting with United officials is reported to be the first time this summer that Ronaldo has spoken to his club since Real Madrid's pursuit of the 23-year-old became public.

Ronaldo, who represented his country as they reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2008, is believed to have delayed the operation because he wanted to go on holiday.

The surgery will now see Ronaldo sidelined for pre-season, but United will hope their star player is still at Old Trafford and is fit in time for their first game of the new season at home to Newcastle on August 16th.

However, if reports from Spain are to be believed, the Glazer family is resigned to losing the winger and is now focused on securing the highest possible fee for him.

Madrid-based newspaper ASreports that the American owners of Manchester United have had several conversations with United chief executive David Gill and now realise that Ronaldo's departure is inevitable.

Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly told United that his client wants to make the move, and although definite negotiations have not yet started, a transfer is seen as an inevitability.

The paper claims that a bid of around €70-€75 million will be enough to persuade United to sell their prize asset.