United must keep Ronaldo - Law

Real Madrid are reportedly considering a summer move for the unstoppable Portuguese winger who has struck a remarkable 38 goals already this season.

"If you've got a player in his category than money doesn't come into it," he said after accepting a Nationwide Lifetime Achievement Award. "If United don't give him a new contract, other clubs will get him. You need to keep the best players."

United have warned that even a £96million offer would not convince them to sell amid speculation he may soon be offered a new contract worth £150,000 a week.

Ronaldo's existing deal expires in 2012 but the Barclays Premier League champions are desperate to keep him out of the clutches of big-spending Spanish and Italian clubs.

And Law, who scored 236 goals in 409 appearances for United between 1962-1973, insists they must be willing to break the bank if that is what it takes to keep him.

Law added: "I heard (assistant manager) Carlos Queiroz say they wouldn't sell him for £96million. That's a good tactic. Players of that quality are few and far between.

"Figures don't mean anything if the players are better than the others in your team. Sir Alex Ferguson won't be selling him."

With Ronaldo plundering goals at will, Law will surely see his United record of 40 strikes in a season surpassed. The 23-year-old, who last month eclipsed George Best's record of 32 for goals by a winger in one campaign, has as many as seven games left to usurp the former Scotland striker.

"It will be sad but records are there to be broken. The way Cristiano is playing I'd say that's fairly certain," he said. "He's an excellent, excellent player. I thought he might have a problem coming back from the World Cup after the problem he had. But he's come through that and has become far more mature. This season he'll probably win all the awards."