Ferguson has repeatedly insisted Ronaldo is not for sale.

But only yesterday it was reported in Spanish sports daily AS that a Real player jokingly asked president Roman Calderon: "When is Christiano coming", to which he responded: "Don't worry, he will be here soon."

Despite the turbulent period at Old Trafford, Ferguson insists he has managed to keep calm.

The 66-year-old said: “It is not a difficult position. I was on my holiday and I was not going to interrupt my holiday, believe me.

“I wasn’t panicked because the player is under contract so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United.

“What we have done well is to say nothing. We’ve kept quiet on this matter and kept it private and what I said to Cristiano remains private.

“I did go and see him last week in Portugal and it was very amicable and there were no problems. That’s where we are and we carry on.”