Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to return to England for talks with Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson over his desire to join Real Madrid, a Spanish newspaper reported Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Portuguese winger was scheduled to meet with Ferguson at Old Trafford later on Tuesday but has instead opted to stay in Portugal while his representatives talk to the English club, sports daily Marca reported.

Asked by a Marca reporter in Portugal about his possible move to the Spanish champions, Ronaldo said: "I cannot say anything right now."

It is the second time that the player, who had surgery on his ankle at the start of the month and then followed up with a fortnight break in Los Angeles, will miss a meeting with Manchester United officials, the paper added.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon stayed behind in London after the club's pre-season tournament at the Emirates Stadium to continue negotiations with Manchester United over Ronaldo, Spanish sports daily AS reported.

"Obviously we want Ronaldo because of the quality which he has. But there is a contract problem which Manchester and the player have to resolve, not us," Calderon said last week. "Real Madrid is a spectator in this comedy."

Manchester United have insisted there is no chance they will free a player who scored 42 goals last season on the way to landing the Champions League and Premier League titles amid claims that Real would pay up to €85-million ($132.5-million) for his services.

Ronaldo is under contract at Old Trafford until 2012. He signed a new five-year contract with Manchester in April 2007 after being linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

AFP

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